SANTORINI



OBJECT OF SANTORINI: The object of Santorini is to be the first player to place a worker on a level three building.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 to 4 players

MATERIALS: A rulebook, dome pieces (18), 1st level blocks (22), 2nd level blocks (18), 3rd level blocks (14), a cliff pedestal, island board, god cards (30), workers (6 total; 2 of three colors).

TYPE OF GAME: Abstract Board Game

AUDIENCE: 8+


OVERVIEW OF SANTORINI

Santorini is an abstract board game for 2 to 4 players. The goal of the game is to be the first player to place one of their worker pieces on a level three building.

The game is a 3D version of Tic-Tac-Toe where players are competing and preventing others from reaching the goal. The game is best for 2 players but up to four can play.

SETUP

The game board will need to be assembled according to the diagrams in the rulebook. If using the god cards they should be removed from the box now. God powers are optional for 2 players but are mandatory for 3 or 4 players.

A player will need to be elected the challenger. This player will choose gods from the 30 available (while making sure they are compatible with the number of players). The challenger will then read from the rulebook each god power chose by name and ability. Clockwise from the challenger the players will choose a god power to use during the game. Some god powers require additional setup and will specify the requirements on the card. if multiple setup cards are in play, do them in turn order.

The challenger will then choose a starting player. The starting player will place their two, colored workers on the board wherever they choose. Clockwise all other players will also perform this action, placing their pieces. They cannot be placed in an occupied space, however.

If not using god powers the first player is the youngest but the remaining setup remains the same.

GAMEPLAY

All the following rules are for 2 player games; 3 and 4-player game rules will follow.

Once all pieces are placed the starting player may start the game with their first turn. On a player’s turn, they may choose a piece to move once and build. A player must move and build on their turn or they lose the game.

When moving a piece can move into any of the eight squares around them, as long as it meets the following requirements. It must be an unoccupied space. If moving up, you may only move up one level, and when moving down you may move any number of levels. Players cannot move onto dome spaces.

After moving you must build. Using the same worker, you may build onto any of the neighboring 8 spaces around your worker. You may choose either to build one of the level pieces or a dome. A dome can only be built on a 3rd level tower, and once a dome is placed the tower is completed and cannot be changed.

If using God powers the text on the card may disagree with the rules above, always follow the rules set on your card. misplaying a god power results in an automatic loss.

3 and 4-Player Games

All rules above apply with some additional rules for 3 and 4 player games.

In a 3-player game, if a player loses, they remove all their workers, their god card, and any tokens from the board. If a single player remains, they win the game.

In a 4-player game, players play in teams of 2. Partners sit opposite each other. Each player has their own god power, and cannot share their partners, but partners share workers and may choose to move and build with the same one last used by their partner. When setting up the game one player places the pieces and the other player goes first. If a player loses their team loses, the same is for winning as well.

END OF GAME

The game ends when a player moves their piece onto a third level tower or if they are the only player (team) remaining. They are the winners of the game.

Amber Crook
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