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Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
Czech Games Edition (CGE) · 2012
2–490 min13+ yrs3.7/5 complexity7.8 BGG#75 BGG50,6 KStrategy
⚡ short answer
How do you play Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar?
The primary objective in Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is to accumulate the most victory points by the conclusion of the game. Players achieve this through a variety of actions, including gathering resources, constructing buildings and monuments, advancing along technology tracks, and climbing the steps of the god temples. Strategic planning and efficient worker placement are crucial to maximizing victory point generation over the course of the game.
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FromRON 239· 3 shops
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
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01
Setup
Set up the game board, each player receives a player board, three workers, and four starting wealth tiles, choosing two to begin with their benefits. If less than four players, six smaller markers from unused player supplies are placed on gears to block action spaces.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, first, place the main game board in the center. Each player then receives a player board, three workers, and four starting wealth tiles. Players choose two of these tiles to keep, benefiting from the resources, technology track advancements, or temple climbs they provide. If there are fewer than four players, six smaller markers from each unused player's supply are placed onto specific gear spaces according to special placement rules. These markers serve to block certain action spaces that would otherwise be available, adding strategic depth to the game.
Objective
The primary objective in Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is to accumulate the most victory points by the conclusion of the game. Players achieve this through a variety of actions, including gathering resources, constructing buildings and monuments, advancing along technology tracks, and climbing the steps of the god temples. Strategic planning and efficient worker placement are crucial to maximizing victory point generation over the course of the game.
On your turn
During a player's turn, they must choose to either place workers or remove them. When placing workers, they must be placed onto the lowest unoccupied space available on a chosen gear. Placing a worker on the first spot is free, but higher spots or placing multiple workers incur a corn cost, as indicated on the player board. When removing workers, players perform the action associated with the worker's current location on the gear. Players cannot place and retrieve workers on the same turn, nor can they skip these actions. The longer a worker remains on a gear, generally, the better the action they will perform upon retrieval.
Scoring
Victory points are primarily scored through several avenues. Players earn points by advancing up the steps of the three god temples, with additional points awarded to the highest player on each temple at the end of the first and second ages. Constructing buildings and monuments also grants victory points, with monuments often providing substantial end-game points based on specific conditions. At the end of the game, any remaining corn tokens are converted into victory points (one-quarter point per corn), and crystal skulls still in possession are worth three victory points each.
Game end
The game concludes after 26 rounds, which are tracked by the main gear completing one full revolution. This also marks the end of the second age. At this point, all players convert their remaining resource cubes into corn, then all corn tokens are converted into victory points at a rate of one-quarter point per corn. Any crystal skulls still held by players are worth three victory points each. Finally, monuments are scored based on the conditions printed on them. The player with the highest total victory points wins the game.
Tips
Tzolk'in is a complex game with many rules, so using player aids, such as those created by BoardGameGeek.com user 'citilogic', is highly recommended for new players. These aids can significantly help in understanding the various actions and their benefits. Players should focus on strategic planning, as there are numerous difficult decisions to make and multiple paths to victory. The path chosen may vary from game to game, offering high replayability. Additionally, consider the tactical advantage of advancing the main gear two days instead of one to disrupt opponents' plans, but be mindful of the associated costs and restrictions.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity3.7 / 5
BGG rating7.8 / 10
Vibe
Strategy
Language dependence
No in-game text needed
Play time
90 min
Players
2–4
Recommended age
13+ yrs
BGG rank
#75
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective in Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is to accumulate the most victory points by the conclusion of the game. Players achieve this through a variety of actions, including gathering resources, constructing buildings and monuments, advancing along technology tracks, and climbing the steps of the god temples. Strategic planning and efficient worker placement are crucial to maximizing victory point generation over the course of the game.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, first, place the main game board in the center. Each player then receives a player board, three workers, and four starting wealth tiles. Players choose two of these tiles to keep, benefiting from the resources, technology track advancements, or temple climbs they provide. If there are fewer than four players, six smaller markers from each unused player's supply are placed onto specific gear spaces according to special placement rules. These markers serve to block certain action spaces that would otherwise be available, adding strategic depth to the game.
Q3How does a turn work?
During a player's turn, they must choose to either place workers or remove them. When placing workers, they must be placed onto the lowest unoccupied space available on a chosen gear. Placing a worker on the first spot is free, but higher spots or placing multiple workers incur a corn cost, as indicated on the player board. When removing workers, players perform the action associated with the worker's current location on the gear. Players cannot place and retrieve workers on the same turn, nor can they skip these actions. The longer a worker remains on a gear, generally, the better the action they will perform upon retrieval.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
Victory points are primarily scored through several avenues. Players earn points by advancing up the steps of the three god temples, with additional points awarded to the highest player on each temple at the end of the first and second ages. Constructing buildings and monuments also grants victory points, with monuments often providing substantial end-game points based on specific conditions. At the end of the game, any remaining corn tokens are converted into victory points (one-quarter point per corn), and crystal skulls still in possession are worth three victory points each.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes after 26 rounds, which are tracked by the main gear completing one full revolution. This also marks the end of the second age. At this point, all players convert their remaining resource cubes into corn, then all corn tokens are converted into victory points at a rate of one-quarter point per corn. Any crystal skulls still held by players are worth three victory points each. Finally, monuments are scored based on the conditions printed on them. The player with the highest total victory points wins the game.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
Tzolk'in is a complex game with many rules, so using player aids, such as those created by BoardGameGeek.com user 'citilogic', is highly recommended for new players. These aids can significantly help in understanding the various actions and their benefits. Players should focus on strategic planning, as there are numerous difficult decisions to make and multiple paths to victory. The path chosen may vary from game to game, offering high replayability. Additionally, consider the tactical advantage of advancing the main gear two days instead of one to disrupt opponents' plans, but be mindful of the associated costs and restrictions.
Q7How much does Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar cost?
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar costs between 239 and 329 RON across Romanian stores.
Q8Where can I buy Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar cheapest?
The lowest price for Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar right now is 239 RON at Pionul.ro. The Prices tab lists every store currently tracking it.
Q9How do you play Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar?
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is a ancient game, for 2–4 players, taking ~90 minutes, featuring bias. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar support?
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is played by 2–4 players.
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