Ankh: Gods of Egypt

To set up, place the game board, devotion track, and action board. Adjust action markers on the action board based on player count, using unused Ankh tokens to cover irrelevant positions. Place the event marker on the event track. Select one guardian of each level (1, 2, 3) and their corresponding figures, adding more figures for 4-5 players. Each player chooses an Egyptian god, taking their god board, 6 warriors, 7 combat cards, Ankh tokens, bases, and 1 follower token. Some gods (Re, Osiris, Amun) have additional tokens. Keep merged god boards nearby. Determine a starting player, then place devotion markers on the devotion track, starting from the last player to the first. Choose a scenario from the scenario booklet that matches your player count, noting any additional setup rules. Distribute tokens and figures on the board as indicated by the scenario map. Conflict sequence tokens do not need precise placement but ensure they correspond to player numbers, not colors. Sort remaining tokens outside the play area.

In Ankh: Gods of Egypt, players embody ancient Egyptian deities vying for the devotion of followers to prevent being forgotten. The ultimate goal is to be the last god standing in Egypt. This can be achieved by eliminating all other gods, reaching the end of the devotion track, or having the most devotion at the game's conclusion after the final conflict. Strategic play involves managing your actions, deploying powerful guardians, and preparing for large-scale conflicts, as those who fall behind will either merge with another god or be erased from history.

Ankh is played over three rounds, with players taking one to two actions per turn. Actions are chosen from the action board by moving an action marker one step forward. The four available actions are: moving figures, deploying new figures, gaining followers, and unlocking Ankh powers. If you choose two actions, the second action must be below the first on the action board. The only exceptions to taking two actions are when you play the 'unlock Ankh powers' action, or when your action marker triggers an event by reaching the end of its track. In these cases, you only perform one action. Always resolve your chosen action before addressing any triggered events.

Devotion is crucial in Ankh, acting as a form of currency and a measure of your god's influence. You gain devotion by controlling monuments and winning conflicts. When you control a monument, you place your Ankh token on it, which contributes to your devotion count. During conflicts, the player with the most strength in a region wins, earning devotion and eliminating opponents' figures. Special Ankh powers can also grant devotion or modify how it's earned. The player who has the most devotion at the end of the game, or is the last god remaining, is declared the winner. Merging with another god can also alter your devotion standing, as you inherit their followers and adjust your Ankh powers.

The game can conclude in three ways. Firstly, if at any point only one god (or merged god team) remains on the board, that player immediately wins. Secondly, if a god's devotion marker reaches the end of the devotion track, that player wins. Thirdly, if the event marker reaches the 'Game End' space after the final conflict, the game concludes, and the player with the highest devotion on the devotion track wins. During the game, specific events can lead to gods being 'forgotten' if their devotion marker falls into the red zone of the devotion track. These gods are removed from the game, along with all their figures and tokens, leaving no trace of their presence.