Im Reich der Wüstensöhne (2008)

Realm of the Desert Sons

“Realm of the Desert Sons” (German: Im Reich der Wüstensöhne) is a German-style board game published in 2008 by Klaus Teuber and published by Kosmos in Germany. It is the second game in the series, following “Realm of the Jade Goddess”. The game is set in a desert environment, where players lead their caravans through the dry desert in search of the biggest oasis. Players place tiles on the board to form an oasis and score points based on the size.

Game Components of Im Reich der Wüstensöhne

Game Board: An 11×11 tile grid, initially with only the middle row and column uncovered.

Tiles: Each tile features desert and oasis portions with brown and white connecting lines, and some oasis portions include action icons.

Camels: Representing players’ caravans.

Explorers: Four explorers of different heights for each player.

Water Stones: Serving as the game’s currency.

Reserve Tiles: Each player has one tile in reserve.

Rumor Tiles: Used at the end of the game for final scoring.

How To Setup Im Reich der Wüstensöhne

To set up the game, place the tiles in the middle row and column on the board, ensuring the connecting lines match. Each player selects a camel and places it on the first or last tile of the middle row or column, making sure no two camels are on the same tile. Each player receives four explorers of different heights, one reserve tile, and two water stones.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players move their camels along brown lines, stopping at white lines unless using a water stone to bypass.

Discovery: When a camel reaches unexplored terrain, the player can draw and place a new tile or use a tile from their reserve.

Explorer Placement: Explorers can be placed on oasis sections of tiles, avoiding action icons.

Oasis Completion: Oases are scored when completely surrounded by desert or the edge of the board. The player with the tallest explorer in the oasis must pay a water stone or remove their explorer.

Action Icons: Explorers claim action icons based on their height, executing the indicated actions.

Game End: The game concludes when all tiles are placed, and the player with the highest total value of merchandise wins, using water stones as a tiebreaker.

Player Experience

Playing **Im Reich der Wüstensöhne** involves strategic tile placement, efficient use of water stones, and carefully managing your explorers to maximize your score. The game requires a balance between expanding your territory and optimizing your resources. The unique mechanics of moving camels and using action icons add a layer of complexity and excitement.

Pros

Deep Strategy: The game offers a rich strategic experience with multiple layers of decision-making.

Engaging Mechanics: The camel movement and explorer placement rules create an engaging and dynamic gameplay.

Resource Management: Managing water stones and explorers adds a challenging and rewarding element.

Thematic Integration: The desert theme is well-integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a moderate to high level of complexity, which may deter new players.

Availability: The game is very out of print, making it difficult to obtain.

Language Barrier: The rules are in German, though most components are language-neutral.

Personal Thoughts on Im Reich der Wüstensöhne

**Im Reich der Wüstensöhne** is ideal for fans of Klaus Teuber’s designs and those who enjoy strategic, medium-weight games. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate tile-laying mechanics and resource management. While it may not be the best introduction for new players due to its complexity, experienced gamers will find it a challenging and rewarding experience. The game’s thematic depth and engaging mechanics make it a gem for those willing to dive into its intricacies.

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