Rise of Tribes (2018) Board Game

Rise of Tribes is a board game designed by Brad Brooks and published by Breaking Games in in 2018. The game is set in a prehistoric world where players take on the roles of different tribes competing for resources and territorial control.

Game Components of Rise of Tribes

Game tiles

Event tiles deck

Dice (with sun, moon, and blank faces)

Faction boards

Playing pieces

Resource chits

Village tiles

Goal cards

Victory Point (VP) trackers

How To Setup Rise of Tribes

To set up the game, players start by shuffling and placing game tiles to form the playing area. The Event tiles deck is shuffled and placed face down above the board. Each player selects a faction, takes the corresponding faction board and playing pieces, and sets their VP tracker to zero. Goal cards are shuffled and placed face down beneath each player’s playing area. The start player places their tribe members on the board, followed by other players who can place more members than the previous player. This ensures everyone is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Placement: Players roll 2 dice and assign them to different actions (Grow, Move, Gather, Lead).

Action Efficiency: The effectiveness of actions depends on the dice faces (sun, moon, blank).

Conflict Resolution: Strategic conflict resolution where players remove tribe members in a 1:1 ratio until one color remains.

Event Tiles: Events triggered by rolling doubles, which can change the game dynamics.

Game Objective

The first player to reach 15 Victory Points (VP) wins the game.

Players achieve VP by establishing villages, researching technologies, and completing goals.

Player Experience

In Rise of Tribes, players lead their prehistoric tribes to explore new lands, gather resources, and discover new tools. The game is characterized by its clever dice placement system, which not only sets up the player’s turn but also influences their opponents’. The game requires strategic planning, resource management, and smart dice allocation. Conflicts are resolved in a fair and predictable manner, adding to the game’s strategic depth.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers a deep strategic layer with the dice placement system.

Fair Conflict Resolution: Conflict is resolved in a predictable and fair manner.

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of dice rolling, resource management, and area control keeps players engaged.

Expansions Available: The game has expansions like “Beasts & Bronze” that add new layers to the game.

Cons

Learning Curve: The game has a moderate to high learning curve due to its complex mechanics.

Luck Factor: Dice rolls can introduce an element of luck that might affect strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Rise of Tribes

Rise of Tribes is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a mix of luck and planning. It is best suited for those familiar with area control and resource management mechanics. The game’s ability to balance strategy and unpredictability makes it appealing to fans of games like Settlers of Catan or Carcassonne, but with a unique prehistoric twist. However, new players might find the initial setup and rules explanation somewhat daunting. Overall, it’s a great choice for gamers looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience.

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