Alt text: The image shows a board game cover titled "THURN and TAXIS Power and Glory" by Karen and Andreas Seyfarth, with colorful artwork that includes a horse-drawn carriage, two horses, and a man and woman in period clothing. The cover features a classical building in the background and a "Rio Grande Games" logo at the bottom. A red circular sticker states "Not a complete game. Must be played with Thurn and Taxis!"
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Thurn and Taxis (2006)

ByMichail

Thurn and Taxis

“Thurn and Taxis” is a board game designed by Karen and Andreas Seyfarth, published in 2006 by Hans im Glück in German and by Rio Grande Games in English. The game is set in Bavaria and surrounding areas, as it was the region where the house of Thurn und Taxis built postal networks and post offices in the 16th century. The game won the prestigious 2006 Spiel des Jahres award.

Why is Thurn and Taxis Popular?

“Thurn and Taxis” is a popular and significant board game for several reasons:
– Strategic thought: The game requires strategic thinking and planning, as players need to build postal networks and post offices while considering their opponents’ actions.
– Historical theme: The game incorporates historical buildings and aspects into the game board, making it appealing to history buffs and geography enthusiasts.
– Accessible gameplay: The game is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by both novice players aged 10 and up and hardcore strategists.
– Awards and recognition: The game won the 2006 Spiel des Jahres award, a prestigious German board game award, further increasing its popularity and recognition.

Game Components of Thurn and Taxis

The Game Components of Thurn and Taxis include:
– Map: The game takes place on a map of Germany, specifically in Bavaria and surrounding areas.
– Post office tiles: Players build post office routes across the map, collecting bonus points in various ways.
– Letter tokens: The game includes letter tokens that players use to claim routes and build their postal networks.
– Expansions: There are three expansions available for “Thurn and Taxis,” adding new elements and changing the gameplay.

Game Setup of Thurn and Taxis

To set up the game, players:
– Lay out the map of Germany.
– Shuffle the post office tiles and place them face down in a draw pile.
– Each player is dealt a hand of cards.
– The game proceeds in rounds, with players taking turns to claim routes and build their postal networks.

Gameplay Mechanics of Thurn and Taxis

In “Thurn and Taxis,” players:
– Take turns to claim routes and build their postal networks.
– Collect bonus points by connecting post offices and regions.
– Use strategic thinking to block opponents and optimize their own routes.
– The game ends when all post office tiles have been claimed, and final scores are calculated.

Game Objective of Thurn and Taxis

The objective of “Thurn and Taxis” is to build the most efficient postal network, connecting post offices and regions while collecting bonus points.

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Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl