How To Play: Mexica

If you’re sick of losing at Mexica and want to taste sweet, sweet victory (instead of just chips and salsa), you’re in the right spot. In this guide, I’ll outline the main rules so you don’t look lost. Plus, I’ll share my personal best strategies for winning after many late-night games with friends, some snacks, and some questionable canal-building skills.

Overview

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 47 Canal tiles
• 12 Bridges
• 43 Building tiles
• 15 Temple tiles
• 4 Player screens
• 4 Action discs
• 32 Mexica figures (8 per player)
• 4 Scoring markers
• 1 District scoring track
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Mexica: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the modular board pieces together to make the big island of Tenochtitlan. Try not to knock your drink onto the canal tiles. (True story!)
2. Give each player their own set of buildings, bridges, and temple tokens. I always mix mine up—don’t be like me.
3. Put all canals and district tiles in the middle. Make sure the special score tokens are handy for bragging rights later.
4. Each player puts their Mexica pawn at one edge of the board. I once started in the middle, but that just confused my friends. Don’t do that.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, you get 6 action points. Use these to move, build canals, build bridges, or place your temples. I always run out of points and wish I had more. Plan well!
2. Move your Mexica pawn around the board to reach juicy areas. Consider blocking your witty but sneaky cousin from getting the big districts.
3. Use action points to carve out districts by placing canal tiles, but remember: you must leave enough room for temples!
4. Once a new district meets size requirements, place a district marker so everyone knows you beat them to it.
5. Place temples in districts to score points, but don’t wait forever or someone will snatch the spot you wanted. (I learned that the hard way.)

Winning

1. The game ends when all districts are finished and all temples are placed. At this point, it gets loud at my table as we all start counting points.
2. Score each district: whoever has the most temples in a district gets the most points. Runners-up get the leftovers. No sharing! This isn’t kindergarten.
3. Add up the points for all districts. The player with the most points wins and may gloat for a short period (but only a short period!)

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you land your pawn in a canal, pay an action point to swim out. (Okay, not real swimming, but you get it!)
2. Some canal placements are limited by the board’s edges and existing canals. If you try to cheat, expect groans and maybe a thrown meeple.
3. You can only place one temple per district per turn, so no rushing—pace yourself!
4. If you can’t do any more actions on your turn, pass and let someone else stress over their own action points.

I hope this summary helps you understand How To Play Mexica. After a few rounds, you’ll start to see the wicked tactics your friends use. May your canals be clever and your temples tall!

Best Mexica Strategies

Canal Chaos: Outwit Your Rivals in Mexica

Canal placement can make or break your run in Mexica. How To Play mexica is easy, but canal strategy? Not so much. Every move counts, unless you want your friends to laugh as you wall off your own temple. Here’s how to become King of Canals:

Block Opponents with Style

1. Cut through potential high-value zones early.
2. Trap rivals before they claim juicy districts.

Expand Your Own Empire

1. Create longer canals near your planned temples.
2. Leave room to adjust to new opportunities.

Conserve Your Pieces Wisely

1. Don’t waste canal tiles on small gains.
2. Focus on moves that give the most area control.

District Domination: The Secret to Mexica Victory

Focus on High-Value Districts

First, always keep your eyes on the juiciest districts. Controlling these brings massive points. As soon as you spot an opportunity, act!

1. Prioritize districts with many temples.
2. Snag districts near the center for flexibility.

Maximize Your Presence

After picking a target, use your bridges and actions wisely. Outnumber your rivals and stay alert when they try sneaky moves.

1. Save action points for last-minute grabs.
2. Place your largest buildings strategically for majority.

React to Rivals’ Plans

Whenever another player pushes for a district, don’t panic! Instead, shift your focus and ensure you’re never far behind.

1. Watch others’ moves to block their big plays.
2. Adapt quickly if a district slips away.

Mastering Temple Placement Timing in Mexica

I’ve lost count of how many times I placed a temple too early and watched my friends laugh as they snatched big districts away. Timing is everything! When you know How To Play mexica, you must pay attention to when you build temples. Here is what actually works:

1. Watch Your Rivals

1. Always wait if someone might swoop in with their last canal and steal your claim.
2. If two players race for a district, let them fight, then sneak in your temple when chaos erupts.

2. Milk Your Majority

1. When you clearly control a district, slap down your temple right away.
2. Don’t wait so long that sneaky Tom (you know who you are) jumps back in.

3. Force Their Hand

1. If you’re behind, place a temple to push others to commit early, ruining their future plans.

Winning Mexica is all about tempo, not just temples. Use these tips and you might actually finally beat Sara for once. Good luck!

The Last Word on Becoming a Mexica Master

If you’ve made it this far, you already know more about How To Play Mexica than my buddy Dave, who still thinks you win by building the most canals (he is very wrong and also owes me lunch). Remember, canal placement is sneaky business, temples are meant to impress, and grabbing districts is way more fun when you beat your friends to it. Every game will throw new curveballs, especially if you play with someone who gets distracted by snacks (looking at you, Tina). Keep your eyes on those districts, plan ahead, and don’t be afraid to block your rivals—politely, of course. Just don’t let them read this guide, or you’ll lose your edge! Good luck, and may your canals always flow the way you want them to.

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