How To Play: Mexica

Overview

If you enjoy clever planning and messing with your friends, Mexica is your jam. I’ve played this game more times than I’ve lost my keys, and I still find new tricks every time. In this guide, I’ll give you a quick outline of the rules and, more importantly, spill my best secrets for winning. Want to know How To Play mexica and beat your pals? Let’s get started!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 47 District tiles
• 4 Player screens
• 4 Player markers
• 44 Canals
• 17 Bridges
• 56 Temples
• 1 Starting player marker
• 1 Scoring track
• 8 Reference cards
• Rulebook

How To Play Mexica: Rules Summary

Setup

1. First, unfold the Mexica board and place it in the middle of the table. Try not to spill your drink on it, unlike me last weekend.
2. Next, everybody picks a color and grabs their matching markers and bridges.
3. Shuffle the canal tiles and put them near the board.
4. Put all district tokens and scoring markers within reach, like snacks—you’ll need both.
5. Decide who goes first. I suggest arm wrestling, but others use age or dice rolls.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, you get 6 action points to spend. Yes, only 6! Use them to move, place canals, build bridges, or plunk down district tokens.
2. Use canals to carve out neighborhoods on the board. If someone blocks your perfect spot with a sneaky canal, don’t yell. Just plot your revenge.
3. Jump your marker across bridges like a pro. Each hop and move costs points, so plan ahead unless you enjoy regrets.
4. When you spot a finished neighborhood, announce it and claim it by placing your district marker. Shout “Mexica!” if you want to annoy your friends.
5. Keep an eye on your opponents. If they seem too quiet, they’re probably scheming.

Winning

1. You earn points by controlling the most neighborhoods at the end of each phase. Jump for joy when you see your score marker soar—unless you’re losing.
2. The game has two phases. After the first phase, check control and tally scores. Repeat at the end, then count your final points.
3. The player with the most points wins. If you tied, high five each other and brag evenly.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you run out of canals, you can’t add more, no matter how much you plead.
2. A district must match the size shown on the board. No, 5 is not the same as 4, even if you squint.
3. Bridges can cross canals, but don’t try to bridge across other bridges. Trust me, I tried, and it led to a rulebook debate.
4. If you can’t use all your action points, tough luck—they don’t carry over!

That’s the basics for How To Play Mexica. We taught my cousin these rules last Sunday, and he still trounced us. So, brush up and good luck!

Best Mexica Strategies

Claim Victory with Smart District Placement!

Start in the Corners

I once started my first game of Mexica in the middle. I lost. Now, I always target the corners for my first big districts. Here’s why:

1. Corners limit your opponents’ options for expansion.
2. They’re easier to defend and finish quickly.

Cut Off Opponents

Next, I block off areas with canals. But how to play Mexica for maximum trouble? Try these moves:

1. Build canals that force others to place smaller, less rewarding districts.
2. Trap opponents’ chiefs far away from new districts.

Fill in the Gaps

Don’t forget the leftovers! Near the end, fill gaps with tiny districts for easy points. That way, you squeeze every last drop out of that board!

Dig Your Way to Victory: Mastering Canals and Bridges in Mexica

Build Bridges for Bold Moves

Bridges in Mexica let you hop over canals to reach juicy spots. Use them to outsmart your friends and grab prime territory fast.

1. Drop a bridge to cut ahead of rivals.
2. Block opponents’ sneaky moves with a well-placed bridge.

Control Canals for Area Power

Canals shape districts and slow down your rivals. Every canal you build can make their lives harder.

1. Use canals to fence off big areas early.
2. Trap opponents by sealing their exits.

Timing is Everything

If you time your moves right, your bridges and canals can ruin someone’s best-laid plans—or save your own. Watch for those perfect moments.

1. Wait until someone’s about to score, then wall them off.
2. Bridge to last-minute opportunities for the win.

Strike at the Right Moment: Mastering Your Mexica Scoring Moves

Keep a Close Eye on Opponents

1. Watch their scoring tokens and guess when they might end a round.

2. Wait until the last moment if you can jump ahead in points.

Maximize Points in a Single Move

1. Combine scoring actions when you can fill a district and score it right away.

2. Avoid scoring too early, or your lead won’t last.

Use Decoys to Distract

1. Pretend you’re building up a different district to keep others from blocking you.

Bonus: Sneak in Extra Points

1. Snatch bonus temple spots right before someone else does for an extra edge!

## Victory Awaits: Go Forth and Canal!

Alright, you made it through my rambling advice and only tripped over a few canals. If I can win at Mexica (and trust me, I’ve lost spectacularly more times than I care to admit), anyone can! Grab your favorite player color, scheme on those districts, and remember, the best canal is always the one your friend didn’t see coming. Happy conquering, and may your bridges never wobble! Now, if someone could tell me How To Play mexica without flipping the board, I’d appreciate it.

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