The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth is a novel by Ken Follett that explores themes of intrigue and conspiracy against a background of historical events. The novel is divided into a prologue and six sections. The construction of what is to be the greatest and most beautiful cathedral in England begins in the setting of England at the beginning of the 12th century. The novel has been adapted into various forms of media, including board games, a television adaptation, a musical, and a video game.
Why is The Pillars of the Earth Popular?
The Pillars of the Earth board game is popular because it offers a unique worker placement experience where players compete against each other to produce, craft, and recruit to build a cathedral. The game is significant because it is based on a best-selling novel and offers a historical and immersive experience for players.
Game Components of The Pillars of the Earth
Main Board: Beautifully illustrated, standard size.Master Builder Pawns: 3 pawns per player, used for worker placement.Resource Cubes: Larger than average, representing stone, wood, sand, and metal.Laborer Cards: Free to take, assign laborers to different locations.Craftsman Cards: Have costs, provide specific benefits.Privilege Cards: Offer various benefits, some lasting throughout the game.Event Cards: Reveal events that affect players, some positive, some negative.Cathedral Blocks: 6 blocks to represent the cathedral’s construction.Gold Tokens: Used for payment and taxes.Neutral Laborers: Additional laborers that can be recruited.
How To Setup The Pillars of the Earth
Setup involves several steps:
Resource Market Preparation: Fill the market spaces with the appropriate resources (stone, wood, sand).Event Card Placement: Place an event card face down on the designated space.Privilege Card Distribution: Draw the top two privilege cards and place them on the board.Craftsman Card Placement: Shuffle and lay out the Craftsman cards.Laborer Card Distribution: Shuffle and lay out seven laborer cards.Player Preparation: Each player gets their Master Builder pawns, and the start player is determined.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Resource Drafting: Players draft laborer cards to assign resources.Worker Placement: Master Builder pawns are drawn from a bag, and players can either place their pawn on an action space or pass, with the cost to place reduced each turn.Action Resolution: Actions resolve in numerical order around the board.Event Resolution: Events affect all players unless mitigated.Resource Collection: Players collect resources based on their laborer card placements.Tax Payment: Players pay taxes unless they have a pawn in the King’s Court.Victory Points: Players convert resources into victory points.Game Objective: The player with the most victory points after 6 rounds wins the game.
Player Experience
The game is fairly straightforward, with an 8-page rulebook. However, some players might find the ambiguity in card text frustrating. The unique mechanic of drawing Master Builder pawns from a bag adds a layer of unpredictability, making each game different. The game’s theme and components are well-received, with the cathedral blocks adding a visual element to the game’s progress.
Pros
Unique Worker Placement Mechanic: Drawing pawns from a bag adds unpredictability.Engaging Theme: Building a cathedral is a compelling theme.Beautiful Components: The main board and cathedral blocks are highly praised.Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.
Cons
Card Ambiguity: Some card texts can be unclear.Randomness: Events and taxes can feel random and less strategic.Cathedral Blocks: While visually appealing, the cathedral’s construction feels disconnected from player contributions.
Personal Thoughts on The Pillars of the Earth
This game is ideal for fans of worker placement and strategic resource management. It’s a good fit for players who enjoy games with a mix of planning and unpredictability. However, players who prefer more cooperative elements or find randomness frustrating might not fully appreciate the game’s mechanics. Overall, it’s a solid choice for those who enjoy strategic gameplay with a historical and thematic twist.
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