Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan

2019

Experience a thrilling journey to the farthest reaches of an empire in Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan, a standalone game featuring new actions, scoring rules, and treasures.

120
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan is an exciting sequel to the highly acclaimed board game, Marco Polo. This game allows players to embark on an exhilarating journey along the Silk Road, where they explore diverse cultures, trade valuable goods and fulfil contracts for the Khan.

The game is set in a historic era, where the famed Italian explorer Marco Polo was at the peak of his adventures. This setting serves as the backdrop for this 2-4 player strategy game, providing a rich and immersive experience. Players take on roles of unique characters, each with their own special abilities, offering a wide array of strategic options.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The game components for ‘Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan’ are as follows:

1. Game Board

The game board is the main component of the game where all the action unfolds. It represents the world map where players travel from Venice to Beijing. The board contains cities, marketplaces, and oases, each offering different benefits and opportunities to players. The game board also has the scoring track and sections for the provision of resources.

2. Player Boards

There are four player boards included in the game, each representing a different character. Player boards contain the unique abilities of each character and also provide a space to store resources and contracts.

3. Dice

The game includes nine dice in four colors (black, green, blue, and white). Each player uses these dice to perform their actions during a round. The value of the dice determines the effectiveness of the action.

4. Player Tokens

Player tokens are used to track players’ scores on the scoring track and to represent their movement on the game board. Each player has one main token for the scoring track and several smaller ones for the game board.

5. Resource Tokens

There are several different types of resource tokens including camel, gold, silk, and pepper tokens. These are used to trade, fulfill contracts, and perform special actions.

6. Contract Cards

Contract cards provide players with specific tasks to complete in exchange for rewards. These tasks often involve trading resources or reaching certain locations.

7. City Cards

City cards are associated with the cities on the game board. When a player reaches a city, they can take the corresponding city card for special benefits.

8. Guild Seal Tokens

Guild seal tokens are earned by players when they complete contracts. These tokens can be traded in for additional benefits.

9. Favor Tokens

Favor tokens are awarded to players for reaching certain milestones in the game. These tokens can be used to perform powerful actions.

10. Bonus Markers

Bonus markers are placed on the game board at the start of the game. When a player reaches a location with a bonus marker, they can collect it for extra points or resources.

11. Character Tiles

Each player has a set of character tiles that represent their character’s unique abilities. These abilities can be activated during the game to give the player an advantage.

12. Outpost Tokens

Outpost tokens are used to establish outposts in cities. Establishing an outpost allows a player to take advantage of a city’s benefits and can also earn them points.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan is a strategy board game filled with adventure and discovery. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up the game:

Step 1: Place the Game Board

Set the main game board in the center of the playing area where it can be easily accessed by all players.

Step 2: Prepare the City Cards

Shuffle the city cards and place them face down next to the game board. Reveal and place one city card face up in each of the cities marked with a card symbol.

Step 3: Set up Contracts

Shuffle the contract cards, then place them in two piles next to the game board. Flip the top 4 cards of each pile and place them face up.

Step 4: Organize the Resource Units

Sort the resource units (camels, gold, silk, pepper, and jade) into separate piles and place them within reach of all players.

Step 5: Determine Player Roles

Each player chooses a character card, which will give them unique abilities throughout the game. Each player also receives a corresponding player board, 9 trading posts, 2 trading post markers, 2 dice in their chosen color, and 2 player markers.

Step 6: Distribute Initial Resources

Each player receives 2 camels, 3 gold, 1 black die, and 1 contract from the top of one of the two contract piles. The contract should be placed on the leftmost free space of their player board.

Step 7: Randomize First Player

Randomly determine the first player and give them the hourglass marker. The game is now ready to begin!

Step 8: Set up Bonus Actions

Shuffle the 6 bonus action tiles and place one face up on each bonus action space of the game board. The remaining tile is returned to the box without revealing it.

Step 9: Prepare the Gifts

Shuffle the gift cards and place them as a face-down draw pile next to the game board. Draw the top 4 cards and place them face up next to the draw pile.

Step 10: Set up the Guild Seal Track

Each player places one of their player markers on the 0/50 space of the Guild Seal track.

Step 11: Prepare the Journey Cards

Separate the journey cards into 3 face-down draw piles according to their backs (I, II, and III). Draw 2 cards from each pile and place them face up next to the piles.

Now, you’re all set to dive into the world of Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan. Enjoy your journey!

Game flow Round and round we go

The game of Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan is a complex and intriguing board game that requires strategic thinking. This game is divided into five rounds, each representing a year. Each round is further divided into four distinct phases: the Dice Phase, Action Phase, Travel Phase, and Maintenance Phase.

The Dice Phase

In the Dice Phase, each player rolls their five dice. The numbers rolled on these dice will be used to determine the strength of their actions in the following Action Phase. Higher numbers generally equate to more powerful actions.

The Action Phase

During the Action Phase, players take turns placing their dice on various action spaces around the board. The actions that can be performed include gaining resources, obtaining contracts, moving around the map, etc. The number on the dice determines how effective these actions will be. Players can also choose to pay a cost to perform additional actions.

The Travel Phase

After all players have used all their dice, the Travel Phase begins. In this phase, each player can move their figure around the map, which represents the various cities and routes that Marco Polo travelled. Travelling helps players to fulfill contracts and establish trading posts. The further they travel, the more benefits they can acquire.

The Maintenance Phase

Lastly, the Maintenance Phase is where players prepare for the next round. Players collect income from their trading posts, refresh their resources, and new contracts are placed on the board. After this, a new round begins with the Dice Phase.

After five rounds, the game ends. Players add up their victory points from contracts, cities visited, and other bonuses. The player with the most victory points is declared the winner.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The game of ‘Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan’ ends after five rounds. At the end of the fifth round, all players will have one final opportunity to complete any remaining actions before proceeding to the final scoring.

End of Round Actions

At the end of each round, players must perform the following steps in order:

Return Action Dice: All players retrieve their action dice from the board and return them to their respective supply.
Return Characters: Any characters on the board are returned to the player’s supply.
Refresh Cards: All face-up cards in the market are moved to the discard pile, and new cards are drawn to replace them.
Advance Round Marker: The round marker is moved one space forward on the round track. If the marker is moved to the last space of the track, the game ends.

Final Actions

After the fifth round and before final scoring, players have one final opportunity to:

Use any remaining contracts in their possession that they can fulfill.
Use any remaining city cards in their possession that they can activate.

Victory Conditions & Final Scoring

The player who has the most victory points (VPs) at the end of the game is the winner. During final scoring, players add up their VPs from the following sources:

Unfulfilled Contracts: Players lose 1 VP for each unfulfilled contract they still have.
Fulfilled Contracts: Players gain VPs as indicated on each fulfilled contract.
City Cards: Players gain VPs as indicated on each city card they have activated during the game.
Outposts: Players gain VPs according to how many outposts they have built. The more outposts built, the more VPs gained.
Coins and Resources: For every 3 coins or resources (combined total) a player has, they gain 1 VP.

In the event of a tie, the player with the most completed contracts wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most leftover coins wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the game ‘Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan’, players accumulate victory points (VPs) throughout the game, as well as at the end during final scoring. Here is a detailed breakdown of how points are awarded and the tie-breaking rules:

During the Game:

City Bonus Tiles: Players earn the indicated VPs immediately after placing a trading post in a city with a bonus tile.
Contracts: Players earn the VPs indicated on a contract immediately after fulfilling it.
Jade: Each time a player receives a jade, they also receive 1 VP.

End of the Game:

Completed Contracts: At the end of the game, players score additional VPs based on the number of contracts they have fulfilled. The exact number is indicated on the game board.
City Cards: Players score VPs for city cards in their possession at the end of the game. The VPs awarded for each card are indicated on the card itself.
Remaining Resources: Players receive 1 VP for every remaining resource (camels, gold, silk, pepper, and jade) they have at the end of the game, excluding coins.
Coins: For every 10 coins players have at the end of the game, they receive 1 VP.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

If there is a tie at the end of the game, the player with the most completed contracts wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most leftover resources (excluding coins) wins. If a tie still remains, the player with the most coins wins. If all these are equal, the tied players share the victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The board game ‘Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan’ is a fascinating and strategic game that involves a significant amount of planning and decision making. While the basic rules are relatively straightforward, there are some rare or special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that may be important to understand to fully enjoy this game.

1. The Travelling Rule:

While players typically move from one city to another by spending camels and coins, it’s important to note that each additional movement beyond the first in a turn requires an extra coin. This is an exception to the standard movement rule and is often overlooked by new players.

2. The Jade Rule:

Jade is a special resource in ‘Marco Polo II’. Unlike other resources, Jade cannot be used to replace other goods, but it has a unique function. When a player uses Jade to fulfill a contract, each Jade used counts as two goods instead of just one. This rule makes Jade a valuable commodity in the game.

3. The Khan’s Favor:

One of the exceptional rules in this game is the Khan’s favor. The Khan’s favor is a powerful bonus that a player can earn by reaching Beijing. The first player to reach Beijing each round gets a bonus, but the player must be able to pay the required amount of goods, which can be a challenge.

4. City Actions:

City actions in Marco Polo II differ from other actions as they can only be performed once per round. This rule is crucial to remember as it adds a layer of strategy in deciding when to perform these actions.

5. Contract Rule:

Contracts in Marco Polo II are fulfilled immediately upon acquisition. However, some players may not realize that you cannot store contracts for later use. This is a common misconception that needs clarification.

6. Rule for Character Special Abilities:

Each character in Marco Polo II has unique abilities that break the general rules in some way. These abilities are not optional and must be used when applicable. This is a unique aspect of Marco Polo II that distinguishes each character and can greatly impact the strategy of the game.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan is a complex and strategic board game. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Plan Ahead: It’s crucial to plan your route ahead of time. Try to visualize your path for at least the next two rounds, considering both the contracts you want to fulfill and the cities you want to visit.
Use Your Character’s Abilities: Each character has unique abilities. Make sure you are utilizing these abilities to their fullest potential. This can often mean the difference between winning and losing.
Manage Your Resources: Gold, camels and goods are all important resources. Don’t overspend on something that won’t give you a good return on your investment.

Beginner Tips:

Start with Contracts: For beginners, it is often a good strategy to focus on fulfilling contracts. This will provide a steady stream of points and resources.
Learn the Value of Camels: Camels can be a versatile resource. They can be used for travel, fulfilling contracts, and even gaining extra dice. Make sure to keep a good supply of them.
Explore the Board: Traveling to different cities will provide various benefits. While traveling can be costly, the rewards often outweigh the costs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Contracts: It can be easy to get caught up in traveling and ignore contracts. However, contracts are a major source of points and should not be neglected.
Not Using Character Abilities: Each character has unique abilities that can greatly influence the game. Ignoring these abilities can put you at a significant disadvantage.
Running Out of Resources: It’s important to keep an eye on your resources. Running out can severely limit your options and slow down your progress.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Balance your Focus: While it’s important to focus on a strategy, don’t forget the other aspects of the game. A balanced approach can often lead to victory.
Adapt to the Game: The game can change quickly, so be ready to adapt your strategy as necessary. This might mean changing your travel plans or focusing on different contracts.
Take Advantage of Opportunities: Be on the lookout for opportunities to gain extra points or resources. This could be through contracts, city bonuses, or character abilities.