Tabannusi: Builders of Ur (2021) Board Game

Tabannusi: Builders of Ur is a board game released in 2021 by Board&Dice. Designed by David Spada and Daniele Tascini, this game takes players back to ancient times, specifically to the city of Ur. In this game, players take on the role of builders competing to construct the most impressive structures in the city.

Game Components of Tabannusi: Builders of Ur

Game Board: A stunning board showing the city of Ur divided into 5 regions, each tied to a specific color die.

Dice: Five colored dice (brown, yellow, white, blue, and green) which serve as resources.

Player Boards: Each player has a personal board with houses, gold, bonus cards, and claim markers.

Building Districts: 3 city sections (white, yellow, brown), a temple district, and a port district.

Tiles and Tokens: Cardboard tiles for proposals, water and garden tiles, claim markers, and victory point tokens.

Figures: A meeple and a wizard for each player.

Card Decks: Several card decks including bonus scoring decree cards and secret building cards.

How To Setup Tabannusi: Builders of Ur

Setting up the game involves several steps. First, prepare the card decks and separate, randomize, and place the chits on the board. Each player receives their personal board, houses of their color, gold, a bonus card, and claim markers. Players also get a randomly chosen crate depicting a die of one of the five colors, a meeple, and a wizard. The board is set up with the city areas, each having a block of actions associated with it, and tiles are randomly distributed to ensure each game is unique.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players pick a die that determines their next location and use it as a resource.

Dice Drafting: Dice are rolled and stored in different areas to be used for building.

Building Proposals: Players propose buildings by placing tiles on the board.

Building Construction: Players build proposed buildings using the appropriate colored dice.

Progress Tracks: Players advance on progress tracks in the city areas.

End-Game Scoring: Points are scored based on buildings, progress on tracks, and secret building cards.

Objective: The goal is to build the city, expand districts, and score the most points to become the most powerful builder.

Player Experience

**Tabannusi: Builders of Ur** requires advanced planning and strategic thinking. Players need to navigate the board efficiently, managing their dice and actions to maximize their score. The game encourages players to think ahead, balancing building construction with progress on the tracks and utilizing bonuses effectively. With a playtime of approximately 120-160 minutes, it is a game that demands focus and strategy.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Encourages advanced planning and resource management.

Unique Mechanics: Combines worker placement and dice drafting in an engaging way.

Replayability: Random setup ensures different games each time.

Thematic: Richly themed in ancient Mesopotamia, adding to the game’s immersion.

Cons

Complex Setup: The setup process is involved and time-consuming.

Long Playtime: The game can take up to 160 minutes to complete.

Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and mechanics challenging to grasp.

Personal Thoughts on Tabannusi: Builders of Ur

**Tabannusi: Builders of Ur** is ideal for fans of euro games and those who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay. It is suited for players who appreciate deep planning and resource management. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and long playtime, it offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest the time and effort. This game is perfect for gamers looking to challenge themselves and immerse themselves in a richly themed historical setting.

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