Cheops (1998) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cheops is a board game designed by Simona Koch and released in in 1998. It is set in ancient Egypt, where players take on the role of merchants trying to buy and sell goods in order to amass wealth and gain favor with the Pharaoh. The game features elements of commodity speculation, set collection, and tile placement.

Game Components of Cheops

Game board: A 6-panel map of the mouth of the Nile.

Resource cards: From the original Settlers of Catan game.

Development cards: Also from the original Settlers of Catan.

Stone blocks: 11 for each of the 4 players and 16 black stone blocks.

Gold pieces: 40 pieces.

Pharaoh’s blessing and curse cards: 1 Pharaoh’s blessing card (3 VP) and 3 Pharaoh’s curse cards (-2 VP).

Roads, settlements, and cities: For 3 or 4 players.

Dice and robber: From the original Settlers of Catan.

Building cost cards: Part of the original Settlers of Catan components.

How To Setup Cheops

To set up Cheops, you’ll need to use components from the original Settlers of Catan along with the new components provided. The board is pre-set with resource hexes already arranged and production numbers labeled. The game includes a big pyramid building location, gold hexes, ore hexes to the southeast, and wood hexes to the northeast. Each player starts without any initial placements on the board, and all resource cards are shuffled together into a provision deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Collection: Players collect resources based on the hexes their settlements, cities, and roads are on.

Building: Players build settlements, cities, and roads using the collected resources.

Pyramid Construction: The unique objective is to build a mighty pyramid to win the Pharaoh’s favor.

Victory Points: Players earn victory points by building the pyramid, collecting Pharaoh’s blessing cards, and constructing settlements and cities.

Player Experience

Cheops offers a blend of strategic planning and resource management, similar to the Settlers of Catan, but with a unique historical twist set in ancient Egypt. Players must balance their efforts between building their own settlements and contributing to the construction of the Pharaoh’s pyramid. The game requires careful planning and negotiation with other players to achieve the best outcomes.

Pros

Historical Theme: Adds a fascinating historical context to the traditional Settlers of Catan gameplay.

Strategic Depth: Provides a rich and challenging experience with multiple paths to victory.

Component Quality: Includes well-designed and visually appealing components.

Cons

Dependency on Original Game: Requires the original Settlers of Catan components, which can be a drawback for new players.

Complex Setup: The setup process can be slightly more intricate due to the additional components and rules.

Personal Thoughts on Cheops

Cheops is ideal for fans of the Settlers of Catan series who are looking for a new and engaging scenario. It’s particularly suited for players who enjoy strategic games with a historical twist. However, it may not be the best introduction for new players due to its dependency on the original game components and slightly complex setup. For those familiar with the Settlers of Catan mechanics, Cheops offers a fresh and exciting experience that combines historical intrigue with classic gameplay.

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