How To Play: City

To win in City, focus on resource management, expansion, and optimal building placement. Start with early gathering, plan mid-game, and trade wisely. Secure territories, build efficiently, and form alliances. Follow clear setup, gameplay, and winning conditions. Finally, master the game and rule the city while having fun.
City: Box Cover Front

Ready to conquer the board game battlefield? This guide is for you! We break down the essentials with a clear outline of the game rules. Then, we dive into the juiciest part – the best strategies to emerge victorious. Trust me, after countless game nights with my friends, I’ve got the tips you need.

Overview

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 4 Player Boards
  • 120 Resource Tokens
  • 60 Building Cards
  • 40 Character Cards
  • 1 Rulebook
  • 4 Player Markers
  • 24 City Tiles
  • 1 Score Tracker

How To Play City: Rules Summary

Setup

  1. First, arrange the board in the center of your table. Make sure everyone can reach it.

  2. Next, distribute the player pieces. Each player should have one piece of each color.

  3. Then, shuffle the deck of cards and deal five cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down to form a draw pile.

  4. Finally, give each player a starting amount of game currency. The rules suggest 20 coins each.

Gameplay

  1. On your turn, draw a card from the draw pile.

  2. Then, you can perform one of three actions: build, trade, or upgrade. Building involves placing a structure on the board. Trading allows you to swap resources with other players. Upgrading means improving your existing structures.

  3. Next, pay the cost for the action you chose. Each action has a specific cost in coins or resources.

  4. End your turn by discarding any excess cards if you have more than seven in your hand.

Winning

  1. The game ends when a player builds their fifth structure.

  2. Points are calculated based on the value of each structure and remaining resources.

  3. The player with the most points wins. So, plan your moves to maximize your points!

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. If the draw pile runs out, shuffle the discard pile to form a new draw pile.

  2. If you build a structure next to a similar one, you get a bonus point.

  3. During the trade action, you can offer more than one resource type. However, be cautious not to overtrade.

Best City Strategies

Master Resource Management to Win

Prioritize Early Game Resources

In the beginning, focus on gathering key resources. This sets the stage for future success.

  1. Identify key resources.
  2. Gather them quickly.
  3. Avoid unnecessary distractions.
Plan for Mid-Game Needs

As you progress, plan out your mid-game needs. Think about what will keep you ahead.

  1. Stockpile essential items.
  2. Build resource-generating structures.
  3. Monitor your resource flow.
Trade Wisely

Trade resources smartly with other players. This keeps your economy strong.

  1. Identify valuable trades.
  2. Maintain good relations with others.
  3. Horde rare resources.

Mastering Expansion Tactics for Victory

Good expansion tactics can turn the tide in your favor. Let me tell you, I’ve tested these with friends, and they work wonders.

1. Securing New Territories

First, always prioritize grabbing new territories.

  1. Survey the map and identify key areas.
  2. Move fast to claim unoccupied spaces.
  3. Guard your new acquisitions fiercely.

2. Build Efficiently

Next, efficient building helps solidify your position.

  1. Focus on resource-rich areas.
  2. Avoid overextending your boundaries.
  3. Use your buildings strategically for defense.

3. Forming Alliances

Lastly, alliances can be a game-changer.

  1. Choose your allies wisely.
  2. Coordinate with them for mutual benefit.
  3. Break alliances when they no longer serve you.

These steps helped me win games repeatedly. Everyone loves a comeback story, so use these tactics to expand and conquer.

Mastering Optimal Building Placement

I gathered my friends for a game night. We learned some tricks for placing buildings smartly.

Start in Key Areas

  1. Identify resource-rich zones first.
  2. Place your initial buildings near these areas.

My buddy Dave always places his first building near water or forests. He rarely loses!

Keep an Eye on Opponents

  1. Note where they’re placing their buildings.
  2. Block their expansion by placing your buildings strategically.

Once, I thwarted Lisa’s plans and won the game!

Space It Out

  1. Give enough space between your buildings.
  2. Prevent bottlenecks and keep paths clear.

My friend Tom crammed all his buildings together once. Big mistake!

Plan for the Future

  1. Think ahead. Where will you expand next?
  2. Place buildings to support future growth.

I always imagine how things will look ten turns ahead. It pays off!

Adapt and Overcome

  1. Be ready to change your strategy.
  2. Adapt your building placement based on new developments.

Flexibility is key. I’ve saved many games by changing my plans on the go.

## Master the Game and Rule the City

That’s a wrap, folks! If you follow these tips, you’re on your way to becoming the mayor of board game night. Remember, it’s not just about winning but also about having a blast with friends. Whether you’re managing resources or planning your city’s expansion, every move counts. So, grab your pals, set up the game, and get ready to conquer! May your dice rolls be ever in your favor. Happy gaming!

Want to know what we think of City? Read our detailed review of City here

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.