Praga Caput Regni

2020

Step into the shoes of a wealthy citizen in 'Praga Caput Regni', a strategic board game where you compete to impress King Charles by building medieval Prague.

150
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

14+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Praga Caput Regni is a captivating board game that transports you to the heart of the medieval city of Prague. As one of the wealthiest citizens, you will be instrumental in the city’s urban expansion and monumental construction.

The game is steeped in historical context, with every element echoing the cultural richness of Prague. As the city’s influence and affluence grow, so do your opportunities. The game board beautifully illustrates the cityscape, with iconic structures such as Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and the Old Town Hall waiting to be built by your industrious crews.

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

Praga Caput Regni is a strategy board game where players take on the roles of wealthy citizens in Prague. As influential citizens, players will be investing in businesses, building structures, and engaging in other endeavours to increase their wealth and influence. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

1. Setting Up The Central Game Board:

Place the main game board in the center of the playing area. Make sure that the action wheel is properly placed in the center of the game board.
Shuffle the action tiles and place them in the spaces on the action wheel.

2. Setting Up The Player Boards:

Each player takes a player board, a player marker, and a wheel marker of their chosen color. The player marker is placed on the scoring track on the main game board and the wheel marker is placed on the starting space of the action wheel.
Each player also receives an initial number of resources: 2 gold, 2 stone, 1 window, and 2 books. These resources are placed on the appropriate spaces on the player board.

3. Setting Up The Buildings, Walls, and Upgrades:

Shuffle the building tiles and place them in stacks next to the game board. Reveal the top tile of each stack and place it in the corresponding space on the game board.
Place the wall tiles in a stack next to the game board. Reveal the top 3 tiles and place them in the corresponding spaces on the game board.
Shuffle the upgrade tiles and place them in stacks next to the game board. Reveal the top tile of each stack and place it in the corresponding space on the game board.

4. Setting Up The Random Elements:

Shuffle the bonus tiles and place them face down in a stack. Draw one tile and place it in the corresponding space on the game board.
Shuffle the project cards and place them in a deck next to the game board. Reveal the top 3 cards and place them in the corresponding spaces on the game board.

5. Determining The First Player:

Randomly determine the first player. This player will take the first turn when the game begins.

Once setup is complete, you’re ready to start playing Praga Caput Regni!

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Praga Caput Regni is a complex strategy board game that offers players a wide array of choices during their turn. A player’s turn consists of three main steps: selecting an action wheel, performing actions and updating the action wheel. Let’s delve into each step.

Selecting an Action Wheel:

First, the player must choose an available action wheel. The action wheel displays six actions that the player can perform. Each action wheel also has a rotating indicator, which moves one space clockwise after every turn.
The player then selects one of the two actions that are currently available on the indicator. The chosen action will be the main action for this turn.

Performing Actions:

The player executes the chosen action from the action wheel. Actions can include building structures, gaining resources, upgrading actions, or moving up on the King’s Road or Hunger Wall.
Depending on the action chosen, the player may need to pay resources, move their figure on the board, or make strategic decisions. For instance, building structures requires stone and gold, while upgrading actions requires books.
Some actions have additional benefits or penalties depending on the player’s position on various tracks, such as the King’s Road or the Hunger Wall. For example, moving up on the King’s Road can lead to gaining more resources, while moving up on the Hunger Wall can lead to penalties if not managed properly.

Updating the Action Wheel:

After the player completes their action, they rotate the indicator on the action wheel one space clockwise. This changes the available actions for the next player’s turn.
The player then collects any bonuses from the action wheel. Bonuses can include extra resources, points, or special abilities for future turns.

Throughout the game, players must balance their resources and strategically plan their actions to maximize their points. The game’s depth comes from the interplay of the action wheel, the various actions, and the player’s position on the tracks. Each decision can significantly impact the player’s strategy and the overall game.

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

Praga Caput Regni is a game that requires strategic thinking and planning. The game ends when one of two conditions are met:

The Depot is empty: This happens when all the tiles from the depot have been purchased and placed on the player’s board.
The Hunger Wall, Cathedral, or Bridge is completed: This occurs when a player successfully completes the construction of either the Hunger Wall, the Cathedral or the Bridge.

When either of these conditions is met, each player finishes the current round, so that all players have had an equal number of turns. After this, there is one final round before the end of the game.

Before the final scoring, players must undertake a series of actions:

Wall Completion: Players who have completed the construction of their walls earn bonus points indicated on their player boards.
Upgrade Action: Players can upgrade their action tiles, which can provide additional points during the final scoring.
Claim Rewards: Players claim any final rewards from their completed projects, such as buildings or roads.
Use Gold: Players can use their remaining gold to purchase points. Each piece of gold can be converted into points based on the current gold-to-points ratio.

The final scoring then takes place. Points are awarded based on numerous conditions:

Buildings: Players earn points for each building they have constructed.
Walls: Players earn points based on the length and completeness of their walls.
Upgraded Actions: Players earn points from their upgraded action tiles.
Gold: Players earn points for their remaining gold, based on the current gold-to-points ratio.

The player with the highest score at the end of the final scoring is the winner. In the event of a tie, the player with the most leftover resources is the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

The board game ‘Praga Caput Regni’ offers a complex scoring system that rewards strategic planning and efficient resource management. Points are awarded in various ways throughout the game, and there are specific rules for breaking ties.

Scoring during the Game:

Throughout the game, players can earn points by performing various actions:

Building Structures: Players gain points for each structure they build, with the points value depending on the type of structure and its location.
Upgrading Structures: Upgrades to structures also yield points, again depending on the type of structure and the upgrade level.
Completing Objectives: Each player has individual objectives that can be completed for points. These objectives vary from game to game, adding a layer of strategic depth.
Gaining Prestige: Players can also earn points by increasing their prestige level, which reflects their standing in the game world.

Scoring at the End of the Game:

At the end of the game, additional points are awarded based on players’ final positions:

Final Prestige Level: Players gain additional points equal to their final prestige level.
Remaining Resources: Points are awarded for remaining resources, with the amount depending on the type and quantity of resources.
Unspent Gold: Each unspent gold piece is worth one point.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In case of a tie, the following rules are applied in order:

The player with the most completed objectives wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most remaining resources wins.
If a tie still remains, the player with the most unspent gold wins.

If a tie persists even after applying all these rules, the victory is shared.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Praga Caput Regni is a board game that combines the elements of city building and economic management. While the game has easy-to-follow base rules, there are also several special rules and exceptions that players need to be aware of to play the game optimally. Listed below are some of these rare or special rules:

1. Bonus Tiles: In the game, players can gain bonus tiles which give them additional actions. However, these tiles cannot be stacked. This means, if a player receives a bonus tile and they already have one of the same type, the new tile must replace the old one.

2. Stone and Gold Limitations: Each player has a limit of 10 stones and 10 golds. This means that even if a player’s action would result in more than 10 stones or 10 golds, they can’t exceed the limit and the excess resources are lost.

3. University Actions: When a player chooses to perform an action at the university, they may only perform one type of action per visit. This means that if a player chooses to upgrade their action wheel, they cannot also purchase a technology tile during the same visit.

4. King’s Road Bonus: When a player builds a building along the King’s Road, they receive the bonus printed on the board. However, this bonus is only available the first time a player builds along that section of the road.

5. End Game Scoring: At the end of the game, the players’ victory points are calculated. However, players also lose points for any unfinished buildings or walls. Therefore, it is in a player’s best interest to try and complete as many buildings and walls as possible before the game ends.

These are just a few of the special rules and exceptions in Praga Caput Regni. Understanding and using these rules effectively can greatly enhance a player’s strategy and chances of winning.