Ankh’or (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ankh’or is a board game released in 2019 by Space Cowboys. It is designed by Frank Crittin, Grégoire Largey, and Sébastien Pauchon, with artwork by Gaël Lannurien. The game is set in a world of animals and mythology, where players compete to collect resources and build their own pyramid.

Game Components of Ankh’or

Resource tokens (fish, textile, bamboo, etc.)

Ankh tokens

Market tiles with various resource costs

Building tiles (animals, Warehouse, Scribe, Desert)

Player tableaus

How To Setup Ankh’or

To set up *Ankh’or*, players first organize the market tiles, each of which has a random assortment of resource tokens indicating the cost to purchase. The building tiles are divided into piles based on their colors and types. Each player starts with an empty tableau and a limited number of resource tokens. The Ankh tokens are also placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Collection: Players collect three resource tokens per turn.

Market Refresh: Players can use Ankh tokens to refresh the market, sliding remaining tiles down and refilling from a chosen pile.

Tile Placement: Players spend resources to buy tiles from the market and must place them in their tableau, ensuring tiles are either orthogonally adjacent or stacked on four tiles with at least one matching color.

Special Tiles: Tiles have special abilities, such as Warehouse tiles for storing resources and Scribe tiles granting an extra turn.

Scoring: Points are earned for grouping tiles of the same color or animal type, with bonuses for larger groups.

Game End: The game ends when a player acquires their 13th tile, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

*Ankh’or* offers a engaging and strategic experience, blending market timing with resource management. Players must balance collecting resources, managing their hand limit, and strategically placing tiles to maximize their score. The random seeding of resource costs on market tiles adds a layer of unpredictability, making each game unique. The tactile resource chips and the variety of tile types keep the gameplay interesting and dynamic.

Pros

Replayability: Each game offers a different market setup.

Strategic Depth: Combines resource management with tile placement strategies.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last around 20-30 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Portable: Compact packaging makes it easy to carry around.

Cons

Theme: The game’s theme is somewhat bare bones and not heavily immersive.

Complexity: While it fills a niche between *Jaipur* and *Splendor*, some players might prefer one of those games over *Ankh’or*.

Personal Thoughts on Ankh’or

*Ankh’or* is ideal for players looking for a quick, strategic game that doesn’t require a large time commitment. It is particularly great for couples or pairs of friends who enjoy two-player games. The game’s blend of resource management and tile placement makes it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who enjoy games like *Splendor* and *Jaipur*. However, players seeking a deeply thematic experience might find *Ankh’or* a bit lacking in that department.

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