Alcalde is a political strategy board game where players take on the roles of influential figures in a city vying for power and control over various districts. Through strategic actions, political maneuvering, and careful resource management, players compete to become the Alcalde (Mayor) by gaining the most influence in the city.
Game Concept: Alcalde
Components
Game Board:
- Represents the city divided into multiple districts, each with specific characteristics and influence opportunities.
District Cards:
- Cards that represent the various districts in the city. Each district has unique attributes, resources, and influence potential.
Influence Tokens:
- Tokens used to mark a player's influence in different districts.
Policy Cards:
- Cards that introduce new rules, benefits, or changes to the game state when enacted by the players.
Structure Tiles:
- Represent buildings and infrastructures that players can construct within the districts to gain additional influence or resources.
Action Cards:
- Cards that provide special actions players can take during their turn to influence the game.
Resource Tokens:
- Various tokens representing money, goods, and political power that players use to execute actions and influence districts.
Player Boards:
- Personal boards where players track their resources, structures, and influence.
Alcalde Token:
- A token representing the Alcalde (Mayor), awarded to the player who has the most influence at certain points in the game.
Setup
Board Setup:
- Place the game board in the center of the play area. Distribute the district cards face-up on the board, corresponding to the districts shown on the board.
Player Setup:
- Each player chooses a color and takes the matching influence tokens and player board.
- Players start with a set number of resource tokens (e.g., money, goods) as their initial resources.
Policy and Action Cards:
- Shuffle the policy and action card decks separately and place them next to the board. Deal a certain number of action cards to each player based on the rules.
Determine Starting Player:
- Choose the starting player randomly or by another method agreed upon by the players.
Gameplay Overview
Alcalde is played over several rounds, with each round consisting of phases where players take turns performing actions, enacting policies, building structures, and vying for control over city districts. The game continues until a set number of rounds have been played or a specific end-game condition is met.
Turn Structure:
- Each turn, players can take a series of actions:
- Influence Districts: Place influence tokens in a district to control it.
- Build Structures: Construct buildings within districts to gain special benefits.
- Enact Policies: Use policy cards to change the rules or gain advantages.
- Use Action Cards: Play action cards for special one-time effects.
District Control:
- Players gain control over districts by having the most influence tokens in a district at the end of a round. Controlling districts provides influence points and other benefits.
Building Structures:
- Players can build structures in districts they control, spending resources to do so. Structures provide various benefits like additional influence, resource production, or policy enactment bonuses.
Enacting Policies:
- Players can enact policy cards to introduce new rules, bonuses, or penalties that affect the game. These policies can provide advantages to the enacting player or change the dynamics of the game.
Resource Management:
- Players must manage their resources carefully, balancing between expanding their influence, building structures, and enacting policies.
End of Round:
- At the end of each round, players check control of districts, award influence points, and prepare for the next round.
Scoring
Influence Points:
- Players earn influence points by controlling districts at the end of each round.
Structures:
- Certain structures provide additional influence points when built or give ongoing benefits that contribute to a player’s strategy.
Policies:
- Enacting specific policies can provide influence points or strategic advantages that indirectly help in gaining more influence.
End Game Scoring:
- At the end of the game, players tally their total influence points from controlled districts, built structures, enacted policies, and any other game-specific scoring conditions.
End of the Game
The game ends after a predetermined number of rounds or when a specific condition is met (e.g., a player reaches a set influence point threshold). The player with the highest total influence points at the end of the game is declared the Alcalde (Mayor) of the city and wins the game.
Rules
District Control:
- A player controls a district if they have the most influence tokens in that district at the end of the round. If tied, the district remains uncontrolled.
Influence Tokens:
- Players must spend resources to place influence tokens in districts. The cost and effect of placing influence tokens may vary depending on the district's characteristics.
Building Structures:
- Structures can only be built in districts controlled by the player. The cost of building varies depending on the structure's benefits.
Enacting Policies:
- Policies can be enacted during a player's turn by spending resources or fulfilling specific requirements outlined on the policy card.
Action Cards:
- Action cards can be played at various times during a turn as specified on the card. They provide unique effects that can alter the game state.
FAQ
Can I control more than one district at a time?
- Yes, you can control multiple districts if you have the most influence tokens in those districts at the end of a round.
What happens if there is a tie for district control?
- If there is a tie for the most influence tokens in a district, that district remains uncontrolled, and no player gains the influence points for that district for the round.
Can I build structures in a district I don't control?
- No, you can only build structures in districts where you have control. You must have the most influence tokens in that district to build.
Do policies have lasting effects?
- Yes, some policies have lasting effects that change the rules of the game for the remainder of the game, while others provide one-time benefits.
Can I place influence tokens in a district that already has other players' tokens?
- Yes, you can place influence tokens in any district to compete for control. However, you must spend resources to do so, and the cost may increase if there are already influence tokens present.
How do action cards work?
- Action cards provide special one-time effects. You can play an action card on your turn by following the instructions on the card. After playing, the card is usually discarded unless it states otherwise.
Can I pass my turn without taking any actions?
- Yes, you can choose to pass your turn if you don't want to take any actions. However, this may give your opponents an opportunity to gain an advantage.
What happens if I run out of resources?
- If you run out of resources, you'll need to plan your actions carefully to gain more. You may need to rely on controlling districts or enacting policies to improve your resource situation.
How does the game end?
- The game ends after a set number of rounds or when a specific condition is met, such as a player reaching a certain influence point threshold.
Can I change the policies once enacted?
- No, once a policy is enacted, its effects remain in play unless a specific action or card allows for a change.
Alcalde is a game of political strategy and influence. Players must use careful planning, resource management, and strategic actions to gain control over city districts and outmaneuver their opponents. The dynamic nature of enacting policies and building structures adds layers of depth and strategy, making each game a unique challenge.