In the Year of the Dragon (2007) Board Game

In the Year of the Dragon is a strategy board game designed by Stefan Feld and published by alea in in 2007. The game is set in medieval China, where players take on the roles of Chinese nobles trying to survive the perils of the year. The game received critical acclaim for its unique gameplay mechanics and challenging decisions.

Game Components of In the Year of the Dragon

Person cards: Each player has a set of person cards representing different roles like farmers, tax collectors, healers, and court ladies.

Action tiles: These tiles are grouped and selected by players to perform various actions such as building, collecting taxes, harvesting rice, and creating fireworks.

Event cards: Representing calamities like plagues, droughts, and Mongol attacks.

Palace floors: Players build and manage their palace by adding floors.

Yuan (coins): Used as currency for various actions and payments.

Dragon scrolls: Large and small scrolls that provide victory points.

How To Setup In the Year of the Dragon

To set up the game, each player starts by drafting two specialized members into their court. The action tiles are shuffled and segregated into groups. Each player selects a starting set of person cards and begins with a basic palace setup. The event cards are prepared in a way that the first two months are peacetime, followed by ten randomized event months.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rounds and Actions: The game is played over 12 rounds, each representing a month. Players choose an action tile from available groups, recruit a new person, and then face an event.

Action Selection: Players select an action tile, but if another player has already chosen an action in the same group, they must pay a penalty.

Person Recruitment: Players recruit one person from their person deck each round, adding them to their palace.

Events: Each round ends with an event that can cost lives, money, or provide victory points.

Victory Points: Points are scored for court ladies, buildings, dragon scrolls, and surviving people at the end of the game.

Objective: The player with the most victory points at the end of the 12 rounds wins.

Player Experience

In the Year of the Dragon offers a challenging and engaging experience where players must balance various needs and risks. Each round, players face tough decisions about which actions to take, which people to recruit, and how to prepare for upcoming events. The game creates a sense of urgency and strategic depth, as players must manage resources carefully and anticipate future challenges.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game requires careful planning and risk management, making it highly engaging.

Variety of Actions: Multiple actions and person roles provide a lot of replayability and strategy.

Thematic Integration: The game’s theme is well-integrated with the mechanics, creating an immersive experience.

Balanced Game: Players are all in the same predicament, making the competition exciting and balanced.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and strategies complex to grasp initially.

Powerful Early Moves: Some actions, like purchasing dragon scrolls early, can be overly powerful.

Personal Thoughts on In the Year of the Dragon

In the Year of the Dragon is ideal for fans of strategic and thematic board games. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy worker placement, resource management, and games that require long-term planning. While it may be challenging for new players, the game offers a rich and rewarding experience for those who enjoy complex gameplay and strategic decision-making. If you appreciate games like Caylus, Princes of Florence, and Stone Age, you will likely enjoy In the Year of the Dragon.

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