Ready to step into the role of a Renaissance merchant with Splendor? Immerse yourself in the jewel trade and test your resource management skills as you collect precious gems throughout this dazzling game. Read on for our helpful tips on how to play Splendor. Grab 2-4 players, and you’re ready to play!
What’s in the box?
First things first, what’s in the box? Find out what to expect from your Splendor game box so you can check you’ve got everything you need before you get started:
- 40 gem tokens
- 90 development cards
- 10 Noble tiles
- 1 rulebook
Setting up your game
Now that you’ve got out the contents of your Splendor box, let's go through how to set up your board, ready to play:
- Shuffle your 3 development card decks and place them in a column (levels 1-3)
- Reveal four face-up development cards per level.
- Shuffle all the Noble tiles.
- Place one tile per player, plus one extra, face up.
- Remove any remaining tiles; they are not used during the game.
- Sort out your gem tokens by colour (see a breakdown below)
- Use 4 tokens each for 2 players, 5 for 3 players, and 7 for 4 players (always include all 5 gold tokens for every game)
- The youngest player starts the game, and turn-taking continues clockwise.
Splendor gems
See a breakdown of the different types of gems used for tokens throughout the game:
- Diamond
- Ruby
- Emerald
- Sapphire
- Onyx
How to play
Now, let’s dive into how to play Splendor. Take on the role of a Renaissance merchant, collecting the gem tokens above throughout the game to purchase development cards that earn you points to win.
Actions you can take on your turn
- Collect 3 new gem tokens from the supply available (they all need to be different; for example, you could take a diamond, ruby, and emerald)
- Collect 2 new gem tokens of the same colour (e.g. 2 diamond tokens)
- Reserve a development card from the face-up pile to buy later and collect a golden token (you also have the option to collect an unknown card from the face-down deck)
- Purchase a new development card from the face-up cards laid out on the table, or one you have reserved in your hand from a previous turn (to do this, you have to spend the number of tokens displayed on the card; the spent tokens are then returned to the middle of the table)
Splendor rules
- Players can use one action per turn.
- Players can have up to 3 reserved cards in their hands at a time.
- Gold tokens can be used as any colour.
- A player can’t have more than 10 tokens at the end of their turn (you will need to return tokens of your choice to whittle these down to 10)
- Tokens owned by players must be visible to all other players at all times.
- Although players may collect 2 tokens of the same colour on their turn, they shouldn’t take them if fewer than 4 of that colour are available.
- At the end of every turn, players must check the Noble tiles to see whether they will receive a visit from one of them.
- A Noble can visit players if they have the correct amount and type of bonuses as stated on the Noble tile, and players cannot refuse the visit.
- If a player has enough bonuses to be visited by more than one Noble, they get to choose which one.
How to win Splendor
To win Splendor, you need to have gained a total of 15 prestige points throughout the game by collecting Noble tiles and development cards. Here are some tips for reaching 15 points before your Splendor opponents:
- Prioritise Noble tiles that will earn you an extra 3 points
- Utilise the reserve action to block out opponents and secure the extra points.
- Purchase level 1 cards to match your starting gem colour to secure gem discounts throughout the game, then focus on buying level 2 cards (2-pointers) and level 3 cards (3-pointers)
- Prioritise using your turns on high-value cards that offer the most points to be the first player to gain 15 prestige points.
- Be strategic and focus on collecting certain colours so you can purchase expensive development cards later in the game.
What if the game ends in a tie?
If the game ends in a tie, with two or more players having reached 15 prestige points, work out who has purchased the fewest development cards; that player wins the game.
Splendor versions
As well as the core game that you now know how to play like a pro, there are also several exciting Splendor versions and expansions you can get your hands on for your upcoming game night:
- Splendor Duel
- Splendor Kids
- Splendor: Marvel
- Splendor - The Sun Never Sets
- Splendor: The Silk Road Expansion
You’re ready to play Splendor!
And that’s it, you’re now ready to put your jewel trading skills to the test and play Splendor! Grab your board and get ready for a dazzling game night with family or friends. Browse our full Splendor collection at asmodee, and use our online store locator to find your friendly local game store and shop for your favourites in person.
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