Splendor

2014

Welcome to the world of Splendor, a board game that takes you back to the Renaissance era, a period of grandeur and opulence. As a wealthy merchant, you will be competing against other players to control the gem trade, using your resources wisely to acquire mines, transportation methods, and artisan shops. The goal is to build a thriving trade empire and attract the attention of the nobility. In Splendor, the setting is not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the game’s charm. The game’s components reflect this theme beautifully – the poker-like gem chips are tactile and satisfying ... Read more

30
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

10+

Medium Light

About the game

Welcome to the world of Splendor, a board game that takes you back to the Renaissance era, a period of grandeur and opulence. As a wealthy merchant, you will be competing against other players to control the gem trade, using your resources wisely to acquire mines, transportation methods, and artisan shops. The goal is to build a thriving trade empire and attract the attention of the nobility.

In Splendor, the setting is not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the game’s charm. The game’s components reflect this theme beautifully – the poker-like gem chips are tactile and satisfying to handle, while the illustrated cards depict the various assets you can acquire, from diamond mines to emerald-studded crowns.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Splendor is a popular board game with a variety of components. Each component has a specific function and role in the gameplay. Here are the details:

1. Gem Tokens:

Diamond (White): This is a token that represents a diamond gem. Players collect these to purchase development cards.
Sapphire (Blue): This token symbolizes a sapphire gem and is used in the same way as the diamond token, to buy development cards.
Emerald (Green): This token represents an emerald gem. Again, players can use these to purchase development cards.
Ruby (Red): Signifying a ruby gem, this token is another type of currency to acquire development cards.
Onyx (Black): This is a token that stands for an onyx gem. As with all gem tokens, it is collected to buy development cards.
Gold (Yellow): Gold tokens are wild cards. They can be used as a substitute for any other gem token when buying a development card.

2. Development Cards:

Level 1 Cards: These are the lowest level cards, offering smaller rewards and requiring fewer gem tokens to purchase.
Level 2 Cards: These are medium-level cards. They require more gems to purchase than level 1 cards, but they also provide better rewards.
Level 3 Cards: These are the highest level cards. They require the most gem tokens to purchase, but they offer the greatest rewards.

3. Noble Tiles: These are bonus tiles that players can earn if they have a certain combination of development cards. They provide additional points towards winning the game.

In Splendor, players collect gem tokens to purchase development cards. These cards give players points and also provide a permanent gem bonus for future purchases. The more development cards a player has, the less they have to rely on the gem tokens. Noble Tiles, which give players extra points, can be claimed if a player has the right combination of development cards. The game ends when a player reaches 15 points, and the player with the most points wins.

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

Splendor is a strategic board game designed for 2-4 players. Here are the steps on how to set up the game:

Place the Game Board: Lay the game board in the center of the play area where all players can easily reach it.
Sort the Development Cards: There are three levels of development cards – level 1, level 2, and level 3. Each level is marked by a different color. Sort these cards by their levels and shuffle each level separately. Place 4 cards of each level face-up on the game board in their respective spaces.
Prepare the Noble Tiles: Shuffle the noble tiles and reveal as many tiles as there are players plus one. Place these tiles face up near the game board.
Prepare the Tokens: There are six different colors of tokens, each representing a different type of gem (diamond, sapphire, emerald, ruby, onyx, and gold). Place all these tokens in distinct piles near the game board. Gold tokens represent jokers and can be used as any gem.
Player Roles: There are no specific roles assigned to players in Splendor. Each player acts as a wealthy Renaissance merchant acquiring mines, transportation methods, and artisans. The goal is to amass the greatest amount of prestige points.
Initial Resources: At the start of the game, no player has any resources. Players will acquire resources (gems) during their turns.
Random Elements: The development cards and noble tiles that are available for purchase are revealed randomly at the start of the game. Additionally, any development cards that are purchased during the game are replaced randomly from the respective deck.

Once the setup is completed, you are ready to start playing the game. Remember, the player who reaches 15 prestige points first triggers the end of the game, but every player should have the same number of turns. The player with the highest prestige points at the end of these turns is the winner.

Game flow Round and round we go

‘Splendor’ is a fast-paced and strategic board game where players assume the roles of Renaissance merchants striving to acquire mines, transportation methods, and artisans who can turn raw gems into beautiful jewels. The game is structured in rounds, with no set number of rounds. Instead, the game continues until one player reaches 15 points.

The game’s structure can be broken down into three main phases which occur during a player’s turn:

Phase 1: Choosing an Action

During this phase, a player must choose one (and only one) of the four available actions. These actions include:

Purchasing a Development Card: To do this, the player must spend the number of gems indicated on the card. The card is then replaced from the deck, and the purchased card contributes to the player’s points and/or discounts on future purchases.
Taking two Gem Tokens of the Same Colour: This action can only be performed if there are at least four tokens of the chosen colour available in the supply. The player can never have more than ten tokens at the end of their turn.
Taking three Gem Tokens of Different Colours: This action allows the player to take three gem tokens of different colours, provided there are enough tokens available in the supply.
Reserving a Card: A player may choose to reserve a card for later purchase. In doing so, they also take a gold token, which can be used as a wildcard gem.

Phase 2: Checking for Nobles

After the player has performed their action, they check to see if they have enough development cards to attract the attention of a noble. If a player has the correct combination of development cards, they automatically receive the noble. This does not count as an action and a player can only receive one noble per turn.

Phase 3: End of Turn

The player’s turn concludes after they have checked for nobles. If a player has ten or more gem tokens, they must return tokens to the supply until they have only ten. If a player has 15 or more points, all other players get one more turn before the game ends.

The player with the highest number of points at the end of these final turns is declared the winner of ‘Splendor’.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

During a player’s turn in ‘Splendor’, they have the opportunity to perform a variety of actions, each of which contributes to their overall strategy and affects the gameplay. Here is a detailed breakdown of the possible actions and the strategic choices each player has:

Action 1: Take 3 Gem Tokens of Different Colors

A player can choose to take three gem tokens of different colors. This action allows them to accumulate resources which can later be used to purchase development cards. However, the player must consider the balance of their resources and the available development cards before making this decision.

Action 2: Take 2 Gem Tokens of the Same Color

If a player chooses this action, they may take two gem tokens of the same color. This is only possible if there are at least four tokens available of that color before the player’s turn. This action is useful for securing a specific development card and preventing other players from purchasing it.

Action 3: Purchase a Development Card

A player may decide to purchase a development card from the middle of the table or from their reserved cards. The cost of the card in gem tokens is indicated on the card itself. Purchasing a development card not only provides the player with prestige points but also a permanent gem token which can be used for future purchases.

Action 4: Reserve a Card

Players have the option to reserve a card, taking it into their hand and out of play. This action is taken typically to prevent another player from purchasing a desired card. When a card is reserved, the player also takes a gold token, which can be used as a wildcard gem. Reserving a card does not cost any gem tokens, but the card is not active until purchased.

These actions and strategic choices greatly affect the gameplay of ‘Splendor’. Players must plan their moves carefully, balancing resource accumulation, development card purchases, and the thwarting of other players’ strategies to effectively compete and win the game.

End of Turn

Once a player has taken an action, their turn ends and it is the next player’s turn. The game continues in this way with players taking turns until one player reaches 15 prestige points. At that point, the current round is completed so that each player has had an equal number of turns, and the player with the most prestige points wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Splendor is a strategy game where players aim to accumulate the most prestige points by purchasing development cards using gems (tokens). The game ends once a player has reached 15 prestige points, but the round is completed to ensure that all players have had an equal number of turns.

Prestige Point Scoring:

Each development card has a cost in gems and a prestige point value. Once a player purchases a card, they add it to their tableau and immediately gain the prestige points indicated on the card.
In addition to the development cards, players can also attract nobles by collecting specific sets of development cards. Each noble is worth an additional 3 prestige points. It’s important to note that noble visits are not action-based and occur automatically at the end of a player’s turn if they meet the requirements.

Tie-breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, where two or more players end the game with the same number of prestige points, the player who has purchased the fewest development cards wins the game. This rule encourages efficient play and strategic thinking as players must balance the need for points with the cost of acquiring them.

If a tie persists, the win is shared among the tied players. There is no second tie-breaker in Splendor.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Splendor’ is a resource-management and development board game. The basic rules are straightforward, but there are a few special rules and exceptions that are worth noting:

Nobles:

Acquiring a Noble: Nobles are not ‘bought’ like Development cards. Instead, they visit a player who has the required number of bonuses. This happens at the end of a player’s turn. If a player has enough bonuses to attract more than one noble, they choose which one they prefer.
No Cost for Nobles: There is no gem cost for attracting a Noble. They are attracted solely based on the bonuses a player has from their Development cards.
No Action Required: Attracting a Noble does not count as an action. It happens automatically at the end of a player’s turn if the conditions are met.

Reserving Cards:

Limit on Reservations: A player can only have a maximum of three reserved cards in their hand at any time. If they want to reserve a fourth card, they must first purchase or discard one of their existing reservations.
Gold Tokens: When a player reserves a card, they also take a gold token, which can be used as a wildcard in place of any other gem. This token is taken even if the supply of gold tokens is exhausted.
No Return: Once a card is reserved, it cannot be returned to the board. It can only be purchased or remain in the player’s hand until the end of the game.

Game End:

Reaching 15 Points: The game does not end immediately when a player reaches 15 prestige points. Instead, the current round is completed, so all players have an equal number of turns.
Tie-Breaker: If two or more players have the same number of prestige points at the end of the game, the player who has purchased the fewest Development cards wins.

Other Clarifications:

Gem Token Limit: Players can only have a maximum of 10 gem tokens at the end of their turn. If they have more than 10, they must return tokens until they only have 10.
Two Gems of the Same Color: Players can only take two gems of the same color if there are at least four gems of that color available before they take them.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Splendor is a game of strategy and patience. It’s important to understand not only the basic rules but also the strategies and common pitfalls that can help or hinder your progress. Here are some tips and tricks to optimize your gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Reserve Cards Early: At the beginning of the game, you may not have enough gems to buy the cards you want. Don’t hesitate to reserve them. This will not only prevent other players from getting them, but you will also receive a gold token (wildcard), which can be invaluable later in the game.
Focus on Point-Scoring Cards: While it’s important to accumulate cards for their gem values, don’t forget the ultimate goal is to score points. Make sure you’re also working towards acquiring the higher-level cards that offer victory points.
Balance Your Gem Collection: Try to maintain a balanced collection of gems. It’s easy to focus on one or two types, but this can leave you unable to buy cards later on.

Beginner Tips:

Understand the Rules: Before you start playing, make sure you understand the rules. Splendor is a game of strategy, and you can’t develop a good strategy if you don’t understand the gameplay mechanics.
Start Small: Start with the lower-level cards. They may not give you many points, but they provide the gem bonuses you’ll need to buy more expensive cards later.
Keep an Eye on Your Opponents: Pay attention to what cards your opponents are buying or reserving. This can give you a clue to their strategy and help you block them if necessary.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Nobles: While it’s true that focusing too much on attracting nobles can distract from other strategies, completely ignoring them is also a mistake. They can provide a significant number of points and can often be obtained with just a little extra effort.
Not Reserving Cards: Many beginners forget or neglect the reserve option. If you see a card you want but can’t afford yet, reserve it. It’s better to have it in your hand than to let an opponent get it.
Forgetting the 10-Card Limit: Keep in mind that you can only hold a maximum of 10 gems in your hand at the end of your turn. Plan your moves accordingly and spend your gems wisely.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan Your Moves: Think a few moves ahead. Consider what cards you want to buy, what gems you need, and what your opponents might do.
Stay Flexible: Don’t get too attached to a single strategy. The game’s circumstances can change quickly, so be prepared to adapt your approach as needed.
Use Your Gold: Don’t forget about your gold tokens. They can act as any gem, making them a powerful tool in your game strategy.