Ys

About this board game

Ys is a 2–4-player strategy game with an approximately 90-minute play time, in which merchant-princes compete to accumulate the most gold through jewels, influence, and clever positioning.

In remote times, the magnificent city of Ys stands protected from violent waves by gigantic sea-walls. Each turn, ships loaded with gems arrive at the city’s ports, creating opportunities for players to expand their fortunes across four neighborhoods.

Players have a team of 11 brokers, each with a different skill level. On a turn, two brokers are put to work at a time, with one placed face up and the other face down. This creates room for bluffing and misdirection as opponents try to determine where your true intentions lie.

• Ports: Control them to claim special black jewels.
• Commercial areas: Gain a financial advantage.
• Palaces: Influence important characters.
• Neighborhood control: The player who dominates a neighborhood chooses first from the precious stones aboard the ship docked there.

The gem market adds another layer of competition. Players may send brokers to influence the value of different jewel types, potentially making an opponent’s collection less valuable while improving the worth of their own holdings.

Success in Ys depends on reading rival placements, concealing your plans, and deciding when to pursue a specific district or contest the market. At the end of the game, victory goes to the player with the most gold, represented by victory points.