How to Play The Castles of Burgundy

Introduction:

The Castles of Burgundy is a strategic board game for 2-4 players that takes place in the Burgundy region of France in the 15th century. Players take on the roles of wealthy landowners, competing to expand their territories, acquire resources, and build castles. The game is known for its beautiful components, engaging gameplay, and strategic depth. This comprehensive guide will provide a step-by-step overview of how to play The Castles of Burgundy, making it accessible for beginners and kids alike.

Game Components:

• Game board
• Hexagonal tiles representing different types of terrain
• Wooden cubes in various colors (representing workers)
• Animal, knowledge, and science tiles
• Dice
• Player boards
• Score tokens
• Castle tiles

Setting Up:

1. Place the game board in the center of the playing area.
2. Sort the hexagonal tiles by type and stack them face down near the board.
3. Place the wooden cubes, animal tiles, knowledge tiles, and science tiles in their designated areas on the board.
4. Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player board, score tokens, and 10 worker cubes.
5. Randomly determine the starting player, who will receive the starting player tile.

Gameplay:

How to play The Castles of Burgundy step by step

Each turn in The Castles of Burgundy consists of three phases:

1. Action Phase: Players can perform one of the following actions:
   • Place a worker on a hexagonal tile to claim it and gain its resources.
   • Build a castle on a tile where they have a worker.
   • Buy an animal, knowledge, or science tile.
   • Take a trade action to exchange resources with the bank or other players.
2. Income Phase: Players collect income based on the tiles and buildings they own.
3. End Phase: Players score points based on the tiles they’ve acquired, the buildings they’ve built, and the knowledge and science tiles they’ve collected.

Scoring:

How to play The Castles of Burgundy

Players score points in various ways throughout the game, including:

• Claiming hexagonal tiles
• Building castles
• Completing sets of animal, knowledge, and science tiles
• Owning certain combinations of tiles and buildings
• Having the most workers on certain types of tiles

End of the Game:

The game ends when all of the hexagonal tiles have been claimed or the draw pile is empty. Players then score any remaining points and the player with the highest score wins.

Tips for Beginners:

• Start by focusing on acquiring hexagonal tiles that provide valuable resources, such as wood and stone.
• Don’t be afraid to trade resources with the bank or other players to get the resources you need.
• Plan your moves carefully, as each action has long-term consequences.
• Pay attention to the scoring conditions and try to fulfill them as efficiently as possible.

With its combination of strategy, resource management, and beautiful components, The Castles of Burgundy offers a rewarding and engaging gaming experience for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or just starting out, this guide will help you understand the rules and start playing like a pro.