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In the Year of the Dragon
alea · 2007
2–575–100 min12+ yrs3.1/5 complexity7.3 BGG#509 BGG11,7 KStrategy
⚡ short answer
How do you play In the Year of the Dragon?
The primary objective of 'In the Year of the Dragon' is to earn the most victory points over 12 rounds, representing a year. Players must strategically manage their resources, personnel, and palace development to overcome various challenges and maximize their scoring opportunities.
To find the best price for In the Year of the Dragon, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
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01
Setup
Players receive two palaces and two young person cards of their choice to start, which are placed in their palaces and on the initiative track.
The rules, step by step
Setup
Each player begins the game with two palace tiles, which can house up to two persons each. Players then select two young person cards of their choice from the available options. These selected person cards are placed into the players' palaces, and their corresponding discs are moved forward on the initiative track according to the number indicated on the card. This initial placement determines the starting order for the first round.
Objective
The primary objective of 'In the Year of the Dragon' is to earn the most victory points over 12 rounds, representing a year. Players must strategically manage their resources, personnel, and palace development to overcome various challenges and maximize their scoring opportunities.
On your turn
Each round of the game is divided into three main phases. First, players participate in an action phase, where they choose one of seven available action cards. These cards allow players to gain resources, build palace extensions, or acquire privileges. The cost of an action depends on its group, with some being free and others costing 3 Yuan. Second, players enter a person-playing phase, where they play one of their person cards into their palaces, moving their disc on the initiative track. Finally, an event phase occurs, where a specific event for the current month is resolved, impacting all players.
Scoring
Scoring occurs at the end of each round. Players receive one victory point for each palace they possess, plus additional points for their court ladies (Hofdamen) and privileges. At the very end of the game, after all 12 rounds are completed, a final scoring takes place. During this final scoring, players gain two victory points for each person remaining in their palaces, points for monks (Buddhas) multiplied by the number of stories in their palaces, and one victory point for every 3 leftover Yuan.
Game end
The game concludes after 12 rounds. The 12th round is unique as it does not include a person-playing phase. Following the completion of the 12th round, a comprehensive final scoring is conducted. Players tally their points from remaining persons, monks, and leftover money. The player with the highest total victory points is declared the winner.
Tips
To succeed, focus on building a balanced court of persons that enhance your resource generation and provide advantages in specific actions. Pay close attention to the initiative track, as being earlier in the turn order can be crucial for securing desired actions. Anticipate and prepare for upcoming events like the Mongol invasion (requiring generals), drought (requiring rice), and plague (requiring doctors) to minimize their negative impacts. Also, consider the long-term benefits of privileges and the strategic placement of monks for end-game scoring.
game anatomy
Complexity3.1 / 5
BGG rating7.3 / 10
Vibe
Strategy
Language dependence
No in-game text needed
Play time
75–100 min
Players
2–5
Recommended age
12+ yrs
BGG rank
#509
from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective of 'In the Year of the Dragon' is to earn the most victory points over 12 rounds, representing a year. Players must strategically manage their resources, personnel, and palace development to overcome various challenges and maximize their scoring opportunities.
Q2How do you set up the game?
Each player begins the game with two palace tiles, which can house up to two persons each. Players then select two young person cards of their choice from the available options. These selected person cards are placed into the players' palaces, and their corresponding discs are moved forward on the initiative track according to the number indicated on the card. This initial placement determines the starting order for the first round.
Q3How does a turn work?
Each round of the game is divided into three main phases. First, players participate in an action phase, where they choose one of seven available action cards. These cards allow players to gain resources, build palace extensions, or acquire privileges. The cost of an action depends on its group, with some being free and others costing 3 Yuan. Second, players enter a person-playing phase, where they play one of their person cards into their palaces, moving their disc on the initiative track. Finally, an event phase occurs, where a specific event for the current month is resolved, impacting all players.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
Scoring occurs at the end of each round. Players receive one victory point for each palace they possess, plus additional points for their court ladies (Hofdamen) and privileges. At the very end of the game, after all 12 rounds are completed, a final scoring takes place. During this final scoring, players gain two victory points for each person remaining in their palaces, points for monks (Buddhas) multiplied by the number of stories in their palaces, and one victory point for every 3 leftover Yuan.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes after 12 rounds. The 12th round is unique as it does not include a person-playing phase. Following the completion of the 12th round, a comprehensive final scoring is conducted. Players tally their points from remaining persons, monks, and leftover money. The player with the highest total victory points is declared the winner.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
To succeed, focus on building a balanced court of persons that enhance your resource generation and provide advantages in specific actions. Pay close attention to the initiative track, as being earlier in the turn order can be crucial for securing desired actions. Anticipate and prepare for upcoming events like the Mongol invasion (requiring generals), drought (requiring rice), and plague (requiring doctors) to minimize their negative impacts. Also, consider the long-term benefits of privileges and the strategic placement of monks for end-game scoring.
Q7How much does In the Year of the Dragon cost?
No store is currently tracking In the Year of the Dragon. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy In the Year of the Dragon cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play In the Year of the Dragon?
In the Year of the Dragon is a economic game, for 2–5 players, taking ~75–100 minutes, featuring action drafting. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about In the Year of the Dragon — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does In the Year of the Dragon support?
In the Year of the Dragon is played by 2–5 players.
Mechanics & categories