The Oracle of Delphi (2016) Board Game

The Oracle of Delphi is a board game designed by Stefan Feld and released in in 2016. The game is set in ancient Greece, where players take on the role of heroes seeking to gain favor from the gods by completing various tasks. The game combines elements of mythology, nautical exploration, and strategic decision-making.

Game Components of The Oracle of Delphi

Player Boards: Each player receives a player board, ship tile, shield, god tokens, shrines, oracle dice, an action overview card, and Zeus tiles.

Dice: Custom oracle dice and a titan die.

Tokens: Favor tokens, injury cards, and shield tokens.

Tiles: Variable hexagonal game board tiles showing islands and Greek letters.

Figurines: Ship, statue, and monster figurines.

Cards: Oracle cards and Zeus tiles representing various objectives.

How To Setup The Oracle of Delphi

To set up the game, each player chooses a color and receives the corresponding components. The shrines are placed on the player boards, and the shield is set to the 0 space. God tokens are positioned at the bottom of their respective columns. The ship tile is placed on the ship, and adjustments are made according to the ship tile’s instructions. Players roll their oracle dice and place them on the oracle circle, receive a randomly drawn injury card, and determine the starting favor tokens based on player order. The titan die is placed in the center of the last player’s oracle circle. Zeus tiles, representing objectives, are arranged so that all players have the same tasks. These tiles are placed on the player boards, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Be the first player to complete all 12 tasks set by Zeus, which include building shrines, collecting offerings, raising statues, and defeating monsters.

Turn Sequence:

Check for Injury Cards: Roll the titan die to determine if players receive injury cards based on their shield values.

Perform Actions: Discard dice to perform various actions such as drawing oracle cards, moving ships, advancing gods, flipping island tiles, building shrines, or erecting statues.

Consult the Oracle: Roll oracle dice to determine available actions.

Actions:
– Discard a die to draw an oracle card, take favor tokens, or peek at island tiles.
– Discard a die to discard injury cards matching the color of the discarded die.
– Discard a die to advance a god.
– Discard a die to move the ship.
– Discard a die to flip an island tile and place a shrine if the tile matches a Zeus tile.
– Discard a die to build a shrine or erect a statue.

Player Experience

The Oracle of Delphi offers a challenging and engaging experience, requiring players to balance short-term opportunities with long-term planning. The game’s variable setup and custom dice ensure high replayability. Players must navigate the Aegean Sea, manage injuries, and strategically use their dice to complete tasks efficiently. The game’s components, such as the wooden figurines and custom dice, enhance the overall experience.

Pros

High Replayability: Variable board setup and random injury cards.

Strategic Depth: Requires planning and tactical use of dice.

Engaging Components: Custom dice, wooden figurines, and well-designed player boards.

Unique Mechanics: Combines racing with pick-up and delivery elements.

Cons

Complex Rules: Initial setup and rules explanation can be lengthy.

Luck Factor: Titan die rolls and injury cards introduce an element of luck.

Component Preference: Some players may prefer dice with more weight.

Personal Thoughts on The Oracle of Delphi

The Oracle of Delphi is ideal for fans of strategy and tactics who enjoy a mix of planning and adaptability. It’s a great choice for those looking for a game that stands out from the typical victory point-based designs, offering a unique racing mechanic with depth. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and the need for strategic thinking.

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