ボードゲーム Merv The Heart of Silk Road メルヴ ボードゲーム ブランド Fabio Lopiano デザイン 12世紀 シルクロード 中心地 経済戦略 壮大な資源管理 戦略的プレイ 城壁建築 モンゴル侵略 防御 多人数対応 ソロプレイ 英語版 日本語説明書なし

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Merv: The Heart of the Silk Road - An epic economic strategy game set in the heart of the Silk Road

Welcome to the world of prosperity and intrigue of the ancient Silk Road. Merv: The Heart of the Silk Road is a full-scale economic strategy game set in the thriving 12th-century city of Merv. Players will compete for power and wealth in this Silk Road center, a key trade hub between East and West, over just three years (12 turns). Establish your position through various means, including intrigue at court, donations to the Grand Mosque, and securing favorable trade agreements.

However, this prosperity is plagued by a looming threat: Mongol invaders are looming outside the city walls. Will you build walls to protect the city, or prioritize your own interests? This dilemma adds depth to the game's strategy.

Game Overview

• Suitable for 1-4 people
• Recommended age: 14 years and older
• Play time: 90-120 minutes

Luxury components

Beautiful artwork and a rich selection of components bring the world of ancient Merv to life.

• An exquisitely crafted game board
• 24+ building tiles
• 48+ cards
• Over 100 wooden pieces
• Nearly 200 tokens

The beautiful artwork and graphic design by Ian O'Toole further enhances the game's world.

Innovative game mechanics

Merv combines strategic depth with innovative mechanics.

Utilizing the city grid

Set in a city laid out on a 5x5 grid, players move their Master Meeple to activate tiles along their row or column, with each choice having a major impact on subsequent developments.

Building construction and protection

Constructing permanent buildings will bring you benefits throughout the game, but unless you build walls to protect them from the invading Mongol army, they may be destroyed.

Diverse action options

You can gather resources and perform various actions in the following locations:

• Mosque: Make donations to earn rewards and instant points
• Palace: Place courtiers to increase your influence
• Caravanserai: Buy trade cards and collect sets
• Library: Collect knowledge (scrolls) and achieve breakthroughs
• Walls: Build walls and gates to protect your city.
• Markets: Visit surrounding cities to acquire valuable goods

Strategic Resource Management

How you use your limited resources (tan, teal, purple, orange, and white cubes) is key to victory: use them to construct buildings, donate to mosques, gain knowledge from libraries, and more.

Game Flow

The game plays out over three years (four turns per year, for a total of 12 turns). During each turn:

• Move the Master Meeple to one of the five action spots along the edge of the city grid
• Select one building tile in that column to activate it
• If there is an empty tile, place your building, acquire resources, and perform actions.
• If you activate an opponent's building tile, you also gain resources and give the opponent the benefit.
• Placing a Master Meeple in the center column also gives you access to the Camel Market.

Various strategic paths

In Merv, there is no single path to victory.

• Master of the Trade: Collect sets of caravan cards and aim for a big score at the end of the game
• Court Tactician: Place courtiers in the palace to increase your influence and advance on the Favor track
• Academic Authority: Collect scrolls in the library and achieve breakthroughs
• City Guardian: Build walls to protect your city from the Mongol army and gain the trust of other players.
• Patron of Religion: Advance through the Mosque Track to earn instant points and various rewards

Solo Play and Variants

There is also a solo mode for one player and a two-player variant, making the game design enjoyable regardless of the number of players.

Highly acclaimed game design

Designed by Fabio Lopiano, this work has won numerous awards, including the Zatu Platinum Award and the Dice Tower Award.

Historical background

In the 12th century, Merv flourished as a central location on the Silk Road, connecting East and West. However, the city was destroyed and its dam collapsed during the Mongol invasion, leading to its complete abandonment in the 19th century. This game is set during Merv's heyday, before the invasion.

Experience the prosperity and intrigue of the ancient Silk Road in Merv: The Heart of the Silk Road. Use your strategic thinking and foresight to become the new ruler of Merv!

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