Kachina

About this board game

Kachina is a tactical tile game for 2–5 players, with games lasting around 45 minutes, in which players compete to dominate the largest possible areas of a board they build as they play.

Inspired by traditions of the Hopi Native American tribe, Kachina draws on the idea of spirits, or kachinas, of many different types. In the game’s setting, tribal elders create contests that illustrate the tension between these spirits as they vie for dominance.

Each round, you place one of your limited number of Kachina tiles. Every type of tile has a different ability, so choosing when and where to play each one is central to your strategy. You must plan ahead, assess the developing board, and try to predict what your fellow players will do.

• Build the board as the game progresses, making every playthrough different.
• Use distinct tile abilities to influence the struggle for dominance.
• Compete to control the largest possible area and outscore your opponents.

The spirits bring contrasting powers and personalities to the contest. Will the Eagle soar above the Ogre? Can the Clown humiliate the Chief, or will the Sun God outshine them all? The answers depend on how effectively you guide your Kachina tiles through the changing board.

Released in 2009, Kachina combines an evolving play area with tactical decisions and limited resources. Its strategic focus rewards players who can anticipate rival moves while making the most of each tile. The game was later reimplemented as Völuspá.