How To Play: Pilgrim

Overview

If you’re tired of wandering aimlessly in Pilgrim (like I do after two glasses of wine), you’re in the right place! This guide gives you a quick rundown of the game rules—so you don’t embarrass yourself—and my best strategies for winning. I’ve lost to my cousin’s dog enough times to know what works and what doesn’t. Stick with me and you’ll soon master How To Play pilgrim!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 4 Player Mats
• 80 Pilgrim Meeples
• 40 Resource Tokens
• 36 Route Cards
• 20 Blessing Tiles
• 24 Building Tiles
• 16 Devotion Tokens
• 4 Scoring Markers
• 1 First Player Token
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Pilgrim: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Unfold the board in the center of the table. Make sure your coffee or tea isn’t trapped underneath. That only happened once. Maybe twice.
2. Each player picks a color and grabs the matching pieces and tokens. Claim your favorite before Jim does because he always picks blue. Every. Single. Time.
3. Shuffle the deck of route cards and deal three to each player. Place the rest nearby, face down.
4. Place resource tokens, coins, and relics within everyone’s reach. These will disappear faster than cookies at game night.
5. Give each player their starting coins and resources. Trust me, you’ll want those.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw a route card and decide which action to take: move, rest, or trade. Decisions, decisions!
2. Move your pilgrim token along the mapped routes. You can only move as far as your resources allow, so spend wisely or get stuck in the mud like I did last Friday.
3. Trade resources with other players or at markets. Try not to let Mark guilt-trip you into giving him too much wheat.
4. Complete challenges as you land on certain spaces. Some are fun, others are just cruel. Thanks, game designers.
5. End your turn by checking if you’ve completed any pilgrimage tasks from your route cards. If you have, celebrate with the rest of us.

Winning

1. Race to complete the most pilgrimage tasks. It’s not a sprint, except when it is!
2. Gather relics, coins, and bonuses along the way. Hoarding is encouraged.
3. The game ends once someone completes all their assigned tasks or the route deck runs out. Suddenly, the tension in the room is real.
4. The player with the most points from tasks, relics, and resources wins. The others usually demand a rematch.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Weather events can block routes. If you pull a storm card, brace yourself.
2. If two players land on the same space, they must share resources. Or glare at each other until someone gives in.
3. Bonus actions activate if you collect three identical relics. This has never happened to me, but someday…
4. If you run out of resources, skip a turn to meditate and receive a small charity bonus, which always feels like a personal attack from the game.

That’s how to play Pilgrim! If you ever feel lost, just remember: don’t trust blue, never run out of wheat, and always laugh when things go wrong. For more tips, keep searching for ‘How To Play pilgrim’ and you’ll become a master in no time.

Best Pilgrim Strategies

Mastering the Map: How To Play Pilgrim Like a Pro

Plan Your Path Early

First, sketch out a route before you take your first step. This saves a lot of wasted moves. My friend Steve once took the long way, and I lapped him. Learn from Steve’s mistakes.

1. Mark key shrines and resource spots.
2. Avoid backtracking at all costs.
3. Keep an eye on rivals’ paths for sneaky shortcuts.

Balance Flexible Moves

Next, although planning matters, you still need to stay flexible. If someone blocks your route, have a backup plan ready. That way, you won’t get stuck (like I did once—still hurts).

1. Identify alternative paths each turn.
2. Watch for sudden map changes.
3. Use detours to snag surprise bonuses.

Time Your Travel

Finally, always match your route to your goals each round. Sometimes a short, boring path pays off big when you grab an early bonus.

1. Weigh quick paths versus high-reward spots.
2. Sync routes with resource refreshes.

Mastering Resource Management in Pilgrim

Track Your Assets Like a Hawk

1. Keep notes on every coin and relic. Trust me, your brain will betray you after two rounds.
2. Count your supplies at the end of each turn. Nothing ruins your plans faster than running out of holy bread.

Trade With Gusto

1. Jump at good trades, but never show how desperate you are. Once I begged for water, and my buddy charged triple.
2. Always barter early. Competition for resources only gets worse later.

Spend Smart, Not Fast

1. Be picky! Buy only what you need. I once blew all my coins on relics and couldn’t feed my monks. Rookie mistake.
2. Invest in cards or resources that pay off over time, not just in the next turn.

If you want to learn How To Play pilgrim like a resource pro, keep your eye on every coin and trade like you mean it!

Mastering Pilgrimage Timing: Sneak Past The Crowd

Watch The Other Pilgrims

1. Always keep an eye on your friends’ meeples. If everyone hops to the shrine too soon, it’s like rush hour at the bakery. Hang back sometimes and jump ahead when least expected.

Use Your Special Actions Wisely

1. Never waste your bonus moves all at once. Save them for those moments when someone blocks your best route or when you need a sudden burst forward.

Balance Risk and Reward

1. Sometimes, waiting means missing out. However, if you rush too early you’ll face bottlenecks. Time your moves so you snag rewards, but avoid crowds. That’s the secret sauce in How To Play pilgrim.

Ready to Win That Pilgrim Glory?

Alright folks, that’s the secret sauce for victory in Pilgrim! I mean, other than bribes and sheer luck, but those aren’t in the rulebook—I’ve checked. With these easy tips, you won’t spend all your coins on useless relics or get stuck behind Grandpa Bob’s ox cart. Remember How To Play pilgrim is all about planning, smart moves, and maybe hiding your best card under the table (kidding, unless you play with cheaters like my cousin Tim). So grab your staff, get praying, and make your next game one for the history books!

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