Small World

Small World is a strategy board game where players take turns conquering territories with their chosen races. The game progresses through a series of turns where players can perform a variety of actions. Each turn in Small World can be broken down into the following steps:

1. Choosing a Race: When a player first enters the game, or when they decide to abandon their current race, they must choose a new race and special power combo from the six available in the line-up. The position in the line-up determines the cost to choose them. Any race further down the line-up costs one coin per position. These coins are placed on the races skipped over.
2. Conquering Regions: Once a player has their race and special power combo, they may begin conquering regions on the board. The player must have enough race tokens to conquer a region (2 tokens plus an additional token for each piece of cardboard present in the region). The player continues conquering regions until they run out of tokens or choose to stop.
3. Redeploy Tokens: After a player has finished conquering regions, they may redeploy their race tokens to strengthen their defenses. The player can move their tokens around any region they control, but must leave at least one token in each region.
4. Tally and Collect Victory Coins: At the end of their turn, a player tallies up their victory coins. They earn one coin for each region they control, plus any bonuses from their race or special power. The player then collects these coins from the bank.
5. Prepare for the Next Turn: The player’s turn is now over, and the next player begins their turn. If a player’s race was completely wiped out during another player’s turn, they may choose a new race and start again.

There are several strategic choices that a player can make during their turn. The choice of race and special power can greatly affect the player’s strategy. For example, some races are better at conquering certain types of regions, and some special powers provide bonuses for holding certain regions. The decision to abandon a race is also a strategic one, as it allows the player to choose a new race and potentially gain a new advantage. However, it also means giving up any regions controlled by the abandoned race.

Conquering regions and redeploying tokens also involves strategy. A player must balance their desire to conquer new regions with their need to defend existing ones. Conquering too many regions can leave a player spread too thin, while not conquering enough can limit their earning potential. Redeploying tokens can help strengthen a player’s defenses, but it can also make them less flexible in future turns.

The collection of victory coins also has a strategic element. The more regions a player controls and the better they can utilize their race and special power, the more coins they can earn. However, players must also be aware of their opponents’ earnings, as the player with the most victory coins at the end of the game wins.

Small World is a fun and strategic board game that brings a variety of races and powers into conflict. While the game’s rules are generally straightforward, there are some special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that can make gameplay more interesting.

1. Declining a Race: When a player’s race is spread too thin or isn’t as effective anymore, they can choose to decline. It’s important to note that declining a race concludes the player’s turn immediately. The declined tokens won’t be able to conquer or redeploy.

2. Race and Special Power Combinations: The combination of race and special power is determined randomly at the beginning of the game. This can sometimes result in combinations that seem less useful (for example, the ‘Flying Trolls’). However, it’s essential to remember that with right strategy, any combination can be powerful.

3. Lost Tribes: Lost Tribes are tokens that occupy regions at the start of the game. They don’t play an active role but are there to be conquered. They are not considered as an active race.

• Encampments: Encampments increase the defense of a region by one. They stay on the board until the player’s race goes into decline.
• Heroes: Heroes make a region unconquerable. However, they are lost if the region is abandoned or the player’s race goes into decline.

4. Conquering Regions: A player needs two race tokens plus one additional token for each extra piece (like mountains, enemy tokens etc.) in the region to conquer it. However, in their final conquest attempt of a turn, a player can try to conquer a region even if they don’t have enough tokens for a certain conquest.

1. Abandoning Regions: A player can choose to abandon a region, leaving it empty. However, this can only be done at the start of the player’s turn, before they start any new conquests.
2. Reinforcing Regions: After the final conquest of the turn, a player can move their tokens from one region to another, but at least one token must remain in each region.

5. Scoring Points: Players score points at the end of their turn based on the number of regions they control. Active races score one point per region, while declined races score one point for every two regions they control.

Understanding these special rules and exceptions can greatly enhance your strategic play in Small World.

Advanced Strategies for Small World

1. Adaptability: Always be willing to put your current race into decline and choose a new one. Timing this correctly is one of the most important tactics in Small World. Don’t cling to a race when its expansion potential is exhausted.

2. Race and Special Power Selection: Pay attention to the race and special power combinations available at the beginning of the game. Some combinations are more powerful than others, and it may be worth spending a few victory coins to get a powerful combo.

3. Territory Selection: Aim to control regions in the center of the board. These regions are more defensible and give you more options for expansion in future turns.

Beginner Tips for Small World

1. Understand Decline: Know when to put your race into decline. A good rule of thumb is to go into decline when you cannot conquer any more regions or your active race is spread too thin and you risk losing numerous territories in the next turn.

2. Diversify: Don’t concentrate your forces in one area of the board. Diversifying your territories makes it harder for your opponents to wipe you out.

3. Use Special Powers: Don’t forget to use your race’s special power. These can give you a significant advantage if used correctly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Small World

1. Over-Expansion: Avoid over-expanding early in the game. This can leave you vulnerable to attacks and your race may quickly go into decline.

2. Ignoring Opponents: Be sure to pay attention to what your opponents are doing. If they are about to go into decline or have a weak defense, it may be a good opportunity to attack.

3. Underutilizing Races: Each race has unique abilities that should be fully utilized. Not taking advantage of these abilities can result in a loss of potential victory points.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in Small World

1. Efficient Use of Tokens: Use your tokens efficiently. Do not use all your tokens in one turn, save some for defense and future expansion.

2. Strategic Decline: Going into decline at the right time can give you a fresh start with a new race and special power. This can help you gain more territories and hence, more points.

3. Balanced Approach: Balance your approach between offense and defense. While it’s important to conquer new regions, it’s equally important to defend your existing ones.