Mille Fiori

To set up Mille Fiori, first place the main game board in the center of the playing area. Each player selects a color and takes all 25 crystals of that color, setting aside 3 crystals in their personal reserve. Locate the 'Dux' card from the deck and set it aside; this card determines the first player. Shuffle the remaining 109 cards to form the draw pile. For 2 or 4 players, deal 9 cards face-up to form the market; for 3 players, deal 4 cards. Each player places their scoring pawn on the '0' space of the score track around the board's perimeter. Finally, each player places their two ship tokens at the start of the harbor track.

The primary objective in Mille Fiori is to accumulate the highest number of victory points by the end of the game. Players achieve this by strategically playing cards to place their colored crystals on various spaces across the five distinct regions of the game board. Each region offers different ways to score points, often by creating chains of crystals, completing specific patterns, or being the first to reach certain milestones.

A game of Mille Fiori unfolds over several rounds, each consisting of multiple turns. At the start of a round, the player holding the 'Dux' card shuffles the main deck and deals 5 cards face-down to each player. Players then engage in a card drafting phase: simultaneously, each player chooses one card from their hand and places it face-down. Once all players have chosen, they reveal their cards and pass the remaining cards to the player on their left. This process repeats until all 5 cards have been drafted and played. When a card is played, the player places one of their crystals on an empty space on the board that matches the symbol of the played card, immediately triggering the associated action and scoring points.

Scoring in Mille Fiori is dynamic and occurs throughout the game. In the Workshop region, placing a crystal scores points based on the length of the chain of adjacent crystals of your color. Completing a diamond pattern in this region grants a bonus action. In the Residence region, placing a crystal scores points equal to the value of the space and all adjacent spaces of your color. Being the first to complete a row or column of different numbered spaces awards bonus points. In the Citizen regions, placing a crystal on a specific icon (e.g., broccoli, fish) scores points, with double points if the placed crystal matches the icon. Completing a pyramid of icons in these regions grants a bonus action. In the Commerce region, placing a crystal on a specific good scores points based on the number of your crystals in that row. If your placement gives an opponent more points than you, you gain a bonus action. In the Harbor region, moving your ship scores points based on the number of goods loaded. Landing on a star space grants a bonus action. Additionally, players score points for having majorities in certain areas at the end of the game.

The game concludes when one of two conditions is met: either a player places their 22nd (last) crystal from their personal supply, or the draw pile of cards runs out. Once either of these conditions is triggered, the current round is completed, and then one final round is played. After the final round, players proceed to final scoring. During final scoring, players receive 1 victory point for each crystal remaining in their personal reserve (the 3 crystals set aside at the beginning). Additionally, players score points for having the majority of crystals in each of the five regions of the board.