How To Play: The Colonists

So you just got your hands on The Colonists, and now you wonder if you need a law degree to crack the rules. Fear not! I survived my first game with only mild befuddlement and a slightly bent rulebook. This guide gives you an easy outline of the game rules (goodbye, confusion) and my best strategies for winning (hello, smug victory dance).

Overview

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 180 Wooden Resources
• 160 Wooden Workers
• 40 Wooden Markers
• 4 Player Boards
• 24 Starting Tiles
• 90 Building Tiles
• 80 Estate Tiles
• 1 Starting Player Token
• 36 Storage Barn Tiles
• 60 Coins
• 1 Rulebook
• 4 Reference Sheets

How To Play The Colonists: Rules Summary

Setup: Grab Your Coffee and Pieces!

1. Put the board together. Line up the tiles as the rulebook shows. Don’t skip this or chaos will reign.
2. Hand out starting settlements and resources to each player. Yes, even to your most annoying friend.
3. Shuffle the event cards, stack the colony tiles, and prepare the storage. Make sure nothing is upside down. Trust me, that can ruin friendships.
4. Pick a first player. Some suggest the one who last paid rent, but use your own judgement.

Gameplay: Where the Fun (and Bickering) Begins

1. Each player takes their turn in order. Turns have phases: Move your steward, take an action, then refill your coffee.
2. Explore new tiles as you move. This opens up more action choices and resources. It also gives you more stuff to point at dramatically.
3. Collect and manage resources: Wood, clay, iron, and a bunch more. Don’t hoard all the clay unless you enjoy being disliked.
4. Build stuff! Expand your settlement, hire workers, and never forget to upgrade.
5. Events cards: Draw these for fun surprises. Okay, some are less fun, but it keeps everyone awake.

Winning: The Sweet Taste of Victory

1. Once the last era ends (or everyone looks exhausted), count up your victory points. These come from buildings, resources, and other achievements.
2. Whoever has the most victory points wins. Bragging rights last until your next game.

Special Rules & Conditions: Don’t Skip These!

1. Follow the Era rules, as each Era changes what you can build and do. Ignore, and you’ll end up building a medieval castle in the future era. Not allowed, sorry.
2. Remember storage rules: You can’t keep everything! You must discard or store resources properly after each round.
3. Market and trade rules: Trading can save your game or ruin someone’s day. Read the fine print or risk being yelled at.
4. Breaking a rule? Fix it together, then carry on. The Colonists is about fun, not perfection (or feuds).

So, that’s how to play The Colonists and not lose all your friends! If you survive the rules, you’re halfway to victory. Try these tips out in your first game—or, like me, learn them the hard way. Good luck!

Best The Colonists Strategies

Mastering the Art of Settlement Expansion in The Colonists

Know When to Build, Not Just Where

First, don’t build just anywhere as soon as you can! Good timing saves you from losing out on key resources. If you wait too long, though, rivals block your best spots. Timing is everything!

Evaluate Resource Surges

Next, watch for moments when your resources brim over. That’s prime time to expand!

1. Check your resource stocks every turn.
2. Expand when you’ve got just enough to avoid shortages.

Block Your Opponents (But Nicely)

You can time your expansions to gently ruin your friends’ plans. I do this just enough to stay friends. Try it!

1. Watch opponents’ board positions.
2. Time your move so you sit right where they want to go.

Stay Flexible

Finally, don’t set your plans in stone. Timing changes when your options shift, so remain alert and adaptable. That’s how to play The Colonists like a champ!

Mastering Resource Management: Your Secret Weapon in The Colonists

Keep Your Warehouses Stuffed (But Not Too Much!)

Every turn, I watch folks let resources pile up until chaos rules the warehouse. Instead, use these methods:

1. Always track your storage limits.
2. Spend surplus resources to avoid waste.
3. Upgrade warehouses early to keep pace.

Trade Like a Market Shark

Trading is not just for emergencies! Here’s how I outplay my friends almost every game:

1. Swap resources that clog your plans.
2. Snatch up rare goods before rivals can blink.

Plan for Next Era (Don’t Get Caught Short)

How To Play the colonists well means thinking ahead. So, I always:

1. Stock up on unique resources needed for the next era.
2. Watch what others hoard, then plan my own stashes to stay ahead.

The Colonists: Outsmart Your Friends With Diplomacy and Trade!

Make Friends, But Not For Long

While playing The Colonists, I always try to buddy up—at first. Trade early and help out, but remember, every alliance will break. Keep your eyes open and your deals sharper.

1. Offer trades that seem fair, but get a small bonus for yourself.
2. Swap resources you have too much of, but watch what the other players want most.
3. Never let anyone get too strong from your generosity.

Negotiate Like a Pro

If you want to win, practice your poker face. Use small deals to build trust, then swing a big trade when it matters.

1. Check the board before every trade. Does your opponent really need those bricks?
2. Refuse trades that help others more than you.
3. When you hold a rare resource, raise the price!

How To Play the Colonists: Turning Trades Into Wins

I swear, the sneakiest trick is learning when to stop trading. Hold back just when other players start needing you—suddenly, you control the game!

1. Save your trades for emergencies.
2. Don’t show your true plan until it’s too late for others to react.
3. Use your trades to mess with others’ timing. It’s almost as fun as winning.

Final Thoughts: Mastering Your Village, One Potato at a Time

If you made it this far, you are either very serious about The Colonists or you’re procrastinating work (don’t worry, I won’t tell your boss). My friends and I have bickered, traded sheep for bricks, and accidentally demolished our own warehouses enough times to know this: How To Play the colonists is about planning, adapting, and sometimes straight-up outwitting your so-called pals. Remember to expand only when you can stomach another mouth to feed, hoard your resources like an anxious squirrel, and never trust someone offering you two wood for one stone—unless you REALLY need that wood. Good luck, and may your settlements prosper without being raided by geese (I blame Greg for that rule).

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