The Great Wall

2021

The Great Wall is an asymmetric board game where players control ancient clans, collaborate to defend against Mongolian hordes, and compete to earn the most honor.

180
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

13+

Medium Heavy

About the game

The Great Wall is an engaging and strategic board game that blends history with fantasy, set during the construction of the Great Wall of China. As players, you are not only builders but also commanders, leading your team to victory through resource management, worker placement, and tactical combat.

The game is set in ancient China, where you are tasked with protecting your city from the threat of the Mongolian Horde. The Great Wall is your primary line of defense, and its successful construction and reinforcement are vital to your survival. The game’s setting immerses players in a time of great conflict and innovation, providing a historical backdrop that adds depth and context to the gameplay.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The Great Wall is a board game that involves strategic planning, resource management and worker placement. Below are the components of the game, along with their functions and how they interact with the game:

1. Game Board

The game board is the main component of the game. It is a large, illustrated board that features various locations, paths, and spaces where players can place their workers. The board is divided into sections such as the Great Wall construction area, the barracks, the tea house, and others. Players navigate this board to gather resources, build the wall, and defend against invading enemies.

2. Workers (40 in 4 colors)

Each player is assigned a set of workers in a specific color. Workers are used to gather resources, build sections of the wall, or perform various actions on the game board. The number of workers a player can use during a turn depends on their current level of command cards.

3. Resources (wood, stone, gold, and food)

These are the basic materials that players collect during the game. Wood and stone are used to build parts of the Great Wall, gold is used to hire soldiers and pay for certain actions, and food is used to feed workers and soldiers. Players can collect resources by placing their workers in specific areas on the game board.

4. Soldier Tokens (40 in 4 colors)

Each player also has a set of soldier tokens in their color. Soldiers are used to defend the Great Wall from enemies. They can be placed on the wall or in the player’s barracks, depending on the player’s strategy. The number of soldiers a player can use during a turn also depends on their level of command cards.

5. Command Cards

Command cards are used to determine the actions a player can take during their turn. They allow players to perform actions such as placing workers, gathering resources, building the wall, or deploying soldiers. Players draw command cards at the beginning of their turn and must choose which actions to perform.

6. Enemy Cards

Enemy cards represent the invaders that players must defend against. They are drawn at the beginning of each round and determine the strength and type of the invading force. Players must work together to defeat these enemies by placing soldiers on the Great Wall.

7. Advisor Cards

Advisor cards provide players with special abilities or bonuses. They can be used to gain an advantage in the game, such as collecting extra resources, building more efficiently, or boosting the strength of soldiers. Players can acquire advisor cards by placing their workers in the tea house.

8. Player Boards

Each player has a player board that tracks their resources, soldiers, and workers. This board also shows the player’s progress in building the wall and their current command level. The player board is an essential tool for planning and executing strategies.

9. Victory Point Tokens

Victory Point Tokens are earned throughout the game by successfully building sections of the wall, defeating enemies, and achieving other objectives. The player with the most Victory Points at the end of the game is the winner.

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

The Great Wall is an intricate board game that requires careful setup before play can begin. The following steps will guide you through the process:

Step 1: Board Placement

Place the main game board in the middle of the table where all players can easily reach it. Ensure the side of the board showing the number of players is facing upwards. For instance, if there are four players, the side that shows four should be visible.

Step 2: Player Roles

Each player chooses a color (blue, green, red, or yellow) and takes the matching player board, two starting advisors, 10 workers, 1 overseer, and 1 general of their chosen color. They also get a player screen in their color to hide their resources from other players.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player receives a set amount of initial resources as indicated on their player board. This typically includes workers, gold, stone, and wood. The exact amount can vary based on the number of players.

Step 4: Random Elements

Shuffle the horde cards and deal a number of cards equal to the number of players plus one. These cards are placed face up next to the game board. The remaining horde cards are returned unseen to the box.

Step 5: Advisor Cards

Shuffle the advisor cards and reveal as many cards as there are players plus one. Place these cards face up next to the game board. The remaining advisor cards should form a draw pile next to the revealed cards.

Step 6: Resource Placement

Place the gold, stone, and wood tokens in separate piles within reach of all players. These form the general stock and can be used by any player during the game.

Step 7: Tactics and Battle cards

Shuffle the tactics cards and place them as a face-down draw pile next to the game board. Draw three cards from the top and place them face up next to the draw pile. Similarly, shuffle the battle cards and place them as a face-down draw pile on the marked space on the game board.

Step 8: Starting Player

Determine the starting player randomly. This player receives the starting player token.

With all these steps completed, you’re now ready to start playing The Great Wall!

Game flow Round and round we go

‘The Great Wall’ is an engaging board game where players take the role of generals trying to defend the imperial province from barbarian hordes. The game is composed of several distinct phases, each of which requires strategic planning and tactical decisions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the phases and actions involved in the game:

Phase 1: Workers Placement

Players take turns to place their workers on different sections of the board, which represent various actions.
These actions include gathering resources, recruiting soldiers, building the wall, and more.
The order of placement is critical as some actions are limited in capacity, and it also determines the sequence in the next phase.

Phase 2: Actions Execution

Starting with the first player, each player executes one of their placed worker’s actions and then it’s the next player’s turn.
This continues in a round-robin fashion until all workers’ actions have been executed.
It’s important to note that some actions can trigger immediate effects while others have delayed effects.

Phase 3: Battle

After all actions have been executed, the battle with the invading hordes begins.
Each player uses their soldiers to fight off enemies, with the outcome determined by dice rolls and player decisions during the battle.
Players can gain victory points from successful defense and suffer losses for failed defenses.

Phase 4: Cleanup

At the end of the battle, a cleanup phase occurs where players retrieve their workers, reset the game board, and prepare for the next round.
The round marker is moved forward to track the progression of the game.

The game continues with these rounds until the game end condition is met, which is typically when a certain number of rounds have been played or when a player achieves a certain number of victory points. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

The Great Wall is a unique worker placement game, where players act as generals trying to defend the imperial border. The game is played in turns, and each turn is divided into phases. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn:

1. Draw Cards
At the start of their turn, each player draws three cards from their respective deck. These cards can be tactics, troops, or tasks, each offering different strategic options.

Tactics: These cards provide immediate benefits or actions that can be used during the game.
Troops: These cards can be added to your army, enhancing your defensive capabilities.
Tasks: These cards set objectives that, if completed, grant bonus points at the end of the game.

2. Assign Workers
Next, the player assigns their workers to various tasks on the game board. This can include reinforcing the Great Wall, recruiting additional workers, or purchasing upgrades. Each action requires a specific number of workers and may have additional costs or requirements.

3. Resolve Actions
Once all players have assigned their workers, actions are resolved in a specific order. The player resolves their actions, moving their workers from the task spaces back to their supply and applying the effects of the task.

Reinforcing the Wall: If the player assigned workers to reinforce the Wall, they now add the appropriate number of blocks to the Wall on the game board.
Recruiting Workers: If the player assigned workers to recruit, they now add the corresponding number of workers to their supply.
Upgrading: If the player assigned workers to upgrade, they now choose an upgrade card to add to their hand.

4. Battle Phase
After all actions have been resolved, the battle phase begins. Each player can choose to play any number of troop cards from their hand to fight the incoming horde. The number of troops played determines the strength of the player’s army. The players then compare their strength to the strength of the horde. If the player’s strength is greater, they successfully defend the Wall and earn victory points. If the horde’s strength is greater, the Wall is damaged, and the player loses points.

5. End of Turn
At the end of the turn, all cards played are discarded, and the player draws back up to their hand limit. The game ends when the Wall is fully built, or the horde deck is depleted.

The strategic choices made during a player’s turn can greatly impact the outcome of the game. Balancing the need to build the Wall, expand the workforce, and defend against the horde is crucial. Consideration of the current game state, as well as the potential actions of other players, is key to victory in The Great Wall.

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

The game of ‘The Great Wall’ ends when one of two conditions is met: either the Invasion Deck runs out of cards, or the players successfully manage to build all the sections of the wall. Once one of these conditions is met, the game ends immediately, even if players have actions left in the current round.

Victory Conditions:

There are several ways to score points in ‘The Great Wall’. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Wall Sections: Players score points for each section of the wall they helped to build. The points are equal to the number of bricks they contributed to that section.
Invaders: Players also score points for each invader they helped to defeat. The points are equal to the strength of the defeated invader.
Commander Cards: Players can earn points by playing Commander Cards. The points awarded by each card are printed on the card itself.
End Game Bonuses: Some Commander Cards and Advisor Cards provide end game bonuses. These bonuses award extra points based on specific conditions, such as having the most bricks in the wall, or defeating the most invaders.

Final Scoring:

Once the game ends, players must perform the following actions before final scoring:

Each player adds up the points they scored from wall sections and defeated invaders.
Each player adds the points they earned from their Commander Cards.
Each player checks their Commander Cards and Advisor Cards for end game bonuses, and adds any extra points they earned.
The player with the most points is declared the winner. In case of a tie, the player with the most bricks in the wall wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most defeated invaders wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘The Great Wall’, scoring is a crucial aspect that determines the winner. The game offers multiple ways to earn points, and each of these ways is associated with various actions or achievements that players can strive for during the game.

Scoring during the game:

Throughout the game, players can earn points in the following ways:

Defeating invaders: Each time a player’s army defeats an invader, they earn points equal to the invader’s strength.
Constructing the wall: Players earn points for each section of the wall they help construct. The number of points depends on the section’s size.
Completing orders: Players earn points by completing orders. The number of points earned depends on the specific order completed.

Scoring at the end of the game:

At the end of the game, players earn additional points in the following ways:

Remaining resources: Players earn points for any unused resources they have at the end of the game. The conversion rate of resources to points will depend on the specific game rules.
Completed sections of the wall: Players earn bonus points for each completed section of the wall they contributed to. The number of bonus points depends on the size of the completed section.
Majority bonus: The player who contributed the most to the construction of the wall earns a majority bonus. The number of bonus points is determined by the game rules.

Tie-breaking rules:

In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaking rules apply:

The player with the most unused resources wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who completed the most orders wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who defeated the most invaders wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who contributed the most to the construction of the wall wins.
If there is still a tie, the winner is decided by a coin toss.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The Great Wall is a strategic board game that involves a great level of detail, with several unique and exceptional rules that differentiate it from other board games. Here are some significant rules, exceptions, and clarifications that players should be aware of:

Worker Placement:

Players cannot place a worker on an action space where there is already another worker, even if it’s their own, except in the case of the ‘Recruitment’ action. This is the only action where multiple workers can be placed.
Some action spaces are linked, meaning if one player occupies a space, the linked space cannot be used by another player.

Combat System:

The combat system in ‘The Great Wall’ is quite different from conventional board games. Players do not fight against each other, but instead collaborate to fight off invading hordes. However, the player who contributes the most to the fight receives the most rewards.
In combat, players use cards from their hand, but they must also spend resources. If a player cannot spend the required resources, they cannot participate in the combat.

Building the Wall:

Building the Wall is a shared responsibility among all players. However, contributing resources to the construction of the Wall does not guarantee a reward. Only players who place their workers on the ‘Construction’ action space receive rewards.

Card Interaction:

Some cards have effects that can interact with each other, creating complex strategic options. For example, a card might allow a player to take an extra action if they have already performed a specific action. It is important to note that these interactions must be performed in the order specified by the cards.

End Game:

The game ends after the seventh round, or when all invading hordes have been defeated. Players then add up their victory points, and the player with the most points wins. However, if the players have not defeated all the hordes by the end of the seventh round, all players lose the game.

These are just a few of the unique rules and exceptions in ‘The Great Wall’. There are many more strategic nuances to explore, making every game a unique and exciting experience.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

The board game ‘The Great Wall’ is a strategy-based game that requires players to manage resources, build the Great Wall, and fend off enemies. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Resource Management: Efficient use of resources is vital in ‘The Great Wall’. One advanced strategy is to focus on gathering resources that other players are neglecting. This can give you an advantage as resources become scarce later in the game.
Defensive Tactics: Instead of focusing on building your own section of the wall, consider contributing to sections where enemies are likely to attack. This can help you earn more rewards for successful defense.
Worker Placement: Utilize your workers intelligently. Placing workers in strategic locations can help you gain resources, build the wall, or fend off enemies more efficiently.

Beginner Tips:

Understand the Rules: Before starting the game, make sure you understand the rules thoroughly. This will help you make better strategic decisions during gameplay.
Start Simple: As a beginner, it might be helpful to start with a simple strategy. Focus on building your section of the wall and gathering resources.
Learn from Others: Observing the strategies of more experienced players can provide valuable insights.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Defense: One common mistake is focusing too much on resource gathering and neglecting defense. Remember, the game is not just about building the wall, but also defending it from enemies.
Overcommitting Workers: Placing all your workers in one location can be a mistake, as it leaves you vulnerable in other areas. Try to maintain a balance.
Ignoring Player Interactions: ‘The Great Wall’ is a highly interactive game. Ignoring the actions of other players can lead to unexpected setbacks. Always keep an eye on what others are doing.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan Ahead: Try to plan your actions a few turns ahead. This can help you prepare for enemy attacks and manage your resources more efficiently.
Adapt Strategies: Don’t stick to one strategy. Be ready to adapt your strategy based on the current state of the game and the actions of other players.
Balance your Focus: Try to maintain a balance between resource gathering, wall building, and defense. Ignoring any one aspect can lead to defeat.