Scholars of the South Tigris (2023) Board Game

Scholars of the South Tigris is a board game set in an Arabian medieval setting, where players take on the role of scholars competing for influence and prestige in the region. Designed by S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, with art by Mihajlo Dimitrievski, the game was released in 2023 by Garphill Games. With a runtime of 60-90 minutes and suitable for players aged 12 and up, Scholars of the South Tigris offers a unique gaming experience with its mix of action retrieval, area majority, and deck-building mechanics.

Game Components of Scholars of the South Tigris

Player boards: Each player gets their own board for managing actions and resources.

Action cards: Used to perform various actions such as hiring translators and influencing guilds.

Influence tokens: For exerting influence over guilds and scrolls.

Translators: Represented by cards, these are hired to translate ancient scrolls.

Scrolls: These are the ancient manuscripts that players need to translate.

Dice: Used for color mixing and determining actions. Includes primary (blue, red, yellow) and secondary colors (orange, purple, green).

Research tracks: Tracks the progress of scroll translation and research.

Resource cards: Include gold, silver, workers, and other bonuses.

Caliph cards: Trigger the end of the round and game phases.

How To Setup Scholars of the South Tigris

To set up the game, each player selects a starting resource card and a starting translator, which are placed in the library room on the board. Players receive their player board, action cards, and influence tokens. The main board is set up with stacks of translators, guild spaces, and the research tracks. Each player starts with a set number of dice in their bag, which they roll to begin their turn. The game also includes a solo mode with four levels of difficulty.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Retrieval: Players use action cards to perform actions.

Area Majority / Influence: Players influence guilds to gain benefits.

Deck, Bag, and Pool Building: Players build their dice pool and manage resources.

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to determine actions and outcomes.

Hand Management: Managing action cards and resources.

Tech Trees / Tech Tracks: Progressing on research tracks.

Worker Placement with Dice Workers: Using dice to perform worker-like actions.

The objective is to hire translators, translate scrolls, and gain influence in guilds to maximize points. Points are earned from research tracks, guild influence, translated scrolls, retired translators, and the number of colored dice in the player’s bag.

Player Experience

**Scholars of the South Tigris** offers a rich and complex gameplay experience, particularly appealing to fans of Euro games. The game involves strategic decisions each turn, as players balance building their engine and forging their strategic path. The combination of bag building, dice placement, color mixing, and worker mitigation creates a unique and engaging experience. The game also features a shared resource system, adding interaction and tension between players.

Pros

Deep Strategic Depth: Offers a lot of complexity and strategic choices.

Unique Mechanics: The blend of bag building, dice placement, and color mixing is highly engaging.

High Replayability: Six unique research tracks and a variety of scrolls and translators ensure numerous playthroughs.

Engaging Solo Mode: Intuitive solo mode with four levels of difficulty.

Historical and Geographical Accuracy: The game’s theme and design are historically and geographically well-represented.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the many mechanics and strategies involved.

Long Playtime: Games can take between 60 to 90 minutes, which may not appeal to all players.

Color Dependence: The game heavily relies on color recognition, which might be challenging for players with color vision deficiencies.

Personal Thoughts on Scholars of the South Tigris

**Scholars of the South Tigris** is ideal for players who enjoy complex Euro games with deep strategic layers. It is perfect for those who appreciate games that require thoughtful planning and resource management. While it may not be the best fit for casual players due to its complexity, it is a gem for experienced gamers looking for a challenging and rewarding experience. The game’s unique blend of mechanics and its well-integrated theme make it a standout in the board game community.

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