/pic1683764.jpg)
Rattus: Mercatus
White Goblin Games · 2013
2–445 min10+ yrs
⚡ short answer
How do you play Rattus: Mercatus?
The primary objective in Rattus: Mercatus is to gain money by selling goods. This money can then be converted into victory points at the end of the game or used to activate certain class card abilities throughout play. Players must strategically manage their cube placement to gain majorities in regions that produce desired goods, and then sell those goods at opportune times.
To find the best price for Rattus: Mercatus, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.
/pic1683764.jpg)
the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01
Setup
Place a good token on each region of the board, with the gray side up.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up Rattus: Mercatus, first prepare the base game as usual. Then, place one good token on each region of the board, with the gray side facing up. These tokens represent the type of goods that region will deal in (e.g., lumber, salt, fish, cloth). Keep the remaining good tokens and the money tokens (coins) in a supply next to the board. Shuffle the 12 new class cards (two of each of the original six classes) into the class card deck.
Objective
The primary objective in Rattus: Mercatus is to gain money by selling goods. This money can then be converted into victory points at the end of the game or used to activate certain class card abilities throughout play. Players must strategically manage their cube placement to gain majorities in regions that produce desired goods, and then sell those goods at opportune times.
On your turn
During your turn, after you have moved the plague and placed your cubes as in the base game, you may take one good token from the supply, if available. This action does not cost anything. If taking a good token results in the last token of that specific type being removed from the supply, it immediately triggers a 'sale phase' for all players. During this phase, players can sell their collected good tokens.
Scoring
At the end of the game, any money tokens you have accumulated will contribute to your final score. Specifically, every five money tokens are equivalent to one victory point. Additionally, some class cards may offer alternative ways to score points or utilize money, adding further strategic depth to how you manage your wealth.
Game end
The game ends immediately when the last good token of a particular type is taken from the supply. This triggers a final 'sale phase' where all players have one last opportunity to sell their collected goods. After this final sale, players tally their victory points from their cubes on the board (based on region majorities) and convert their remaining money tokens into victory points to determine the winner.
Tips
Rattus: Mercatus adds a layer of strategic complexity to the base game. While the base game often relies on randomness, this expansion encourages more thoughtful planning. Focus on establishing majorities in regions that produce the goods you need, as you can only sell goods to regions where you have a majority of cubes. Utilize the new class cards effectively, as many of them interact directly with the trade tokens and money, providing powerful abilities. Be mindful of when to trigger a sale phase by taking the last good token of a type, as this can significantly impact other players' strategies and scoring opportunities.
🔬 game anatomy
Play time
45 min
Players
2–4
Recommended age
10+ yrs
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective in Rattus: Mercatus is to gain money by selling goods. This money can then be converted into victory points at the end of the game or used to activate certain class card abilities throughout play. Players must strategically manage their cube placement to gain majorities in regions that produce desired goods, and then sell those goods at opportune times.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up Rattus: Mercatus, first prepare the base game as usual. Then, place one good token on each region of the board, with the gray side facing up. These tokens represent the type of goods that region will deal in (e.g., lumber, salt, fish, cloth). Keep the remaining good tokens and the money tokens (coins) in a supply next to the board. Shuffle the 12 new class cards (two of each of the original six classes) into the class card deck.
Q3How does a turn work?
During your turn, after you have moved the plague and placed your cubes as in the base game, you may take one good token from the supply, if available. This action does not cost anything. If taking a good token results in the last token of that specific type being removed from the supply, it immediately triggers a 'sale phase' for all players. During this phase, players can sell their collected good tokens.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
At the end of the game, any money tokens you have accumulated will contribute to your final score. Specifically, every five money tokens are equivalent to one victory point. Additionally, some class cards may offer alternative ways to score points or utilize money, adding further strategic depth to how you manage your wealth.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game ends immediately when the last good token of a particular type is taken from the supply. This triggers a final 'sale phase' where all players have one last opportunity to sell their collected goods. After this final sale, players tally their victory points from their cubes on the board (based on region majorities) and convert their remaining money tokens into victory points to determine the winner.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
Rattus: Mercatus adds a layer of strategic complexity to the base game. While the base game often relies on randomness, this expansion encourages more thoughtful planning. Focus on establishing majorities in regions that produce the goods you need, as you can only sell goods to regions where you have a majority of cubes. Utilize the new class cards effectively, as many of them interact directly with the trade tokens and money, providing powerful abilities. Be mindful of when to trigger a sale phase by taking the last good token of a type, as this can significantly impact other players' strategies and scoring opportunities.
Q7How much does Rattus: Mercatus cost?
No store is currently tracking Rattus: Mercatus. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy Rattus: Mercatus cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play Rattus: Mercatus?
Rattus: Mercatus is a medieval game, for 2–4 players, taking ~45 minutes, featuring variable player powers. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Rattus: Mercatus — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Rattus: Mercatus support?
Rattus: Mercatus is played by 2–4 players.
💰 1 shop
All prices
1 shop · sorted by price
affiliate links · prices include VAT · independent platform, no hidden sponsorships
Currently unavailable in all shops
Sign in to receive restock notifications.
Mechanics & categories