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The Quest for El Dorado box image

The Quest for El Dorado

The Quest for El Dorado is a deck-building racing game where players navigate their expedition through a jungle to reach the legendary city of gold, El Dorado, by strategically purchasing cards to move through terrain and overcome obstacles.

7.68 / 10
BGG Rating
10+
age
2017
published year
2 - 4
player count
2 - 4
Recommended player count
30 - 60 mins
play time

How Complex is The Quest for El Dorado?

1.94 / 5

The game is easy to learn and play, with simple rules and mechanics, making it accessible to both casual and experienced players.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of The Quest for El Dorado?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in the game as players rely on drawing cards from their deck, but strategic card purchases and movement planning can mitigate the impact of luck.

How much Player Interaction does The Quest for El Dorado offer?

3.5 / 5

Players can block each other's paths and compete for resources, but there is limited direct interaction beyond that. The focus is more on individual strategy and racing to the finish.

How much Replayability does The Quest for El Dorado offer?

4 / 5

The game offers high replayability due to the modular board and variety of card combinations available, allowing for different strategies and challenges in each playthrough.

Why you should play The Quest for El Dorado

Easy to Learn

The Quest for El Dorado is a simple game to learn and play, making it accessible to both experienced and novice players.

Strategy

The game requires players to make strategic decisions about which cards to play and which paths to take, adding an element of depth and challenge.

Replayability

The game has a high replayability factor, with different paths and strategies to explore each time you play.

Adventure Theme

The game's theme of exploring the Amazon jungle in search of the lost city of El Dorado is exciting and immersive.

Family-Friendly

The Quest for El Dorado is a great game for families to play together, with a recommended age range of 10 and up.

Short Playtime

The game can be played in around 30-45 minutes, making it a great option for a quick game night.

Award-Winning

The Quest for El Dorado has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in 2017, which recognizes excellence in board game design.

Why you should avoid The Quest for El Dorado

Limited Player Interaction

The Quest for El Dorado is a relatively solitary game, with limited opportunities for players to interact or interfere with each other's progress.

Lack of Theme Integration

While the game's theme is exciting, some players may find that it doesn't feel fully integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

Limited Components

The game comes with a relatively small number of components, which may make it feel less substantial than other board games.

Limited Strategic Depth

While the game does require strategic decision-making, some players may find that the options are somewhat limited, leading to a lack of replayability.

Luck-Based

The Quest for El Dorado relies heavily on luck, with players drawing cards from a deck to determine their options each turn. This may be frustrating for players who prefer games with a higher degree of skill-based decision-making.

Where to find the Rules of The Quest for El Dorado

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the The Quest for El Dorado files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for The Quest for El Dorado

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of The Quest for El Dorado.

Plan your route

Before starting the game, take a look at the board and plan your route to the finish line. Try to find the shortest and most efficient path to reach the end.

Balance your deck

The game involves deck-building, so make sure to balance your deck with cards that allow you to move quickly, cards that give you money, and cards that help you overcome obstacles.

Use your cards wisely

Each card has a specific purpose, so use them wisely. For example, use the machete card to clear a path through the jungle, or use the canoe card to cross a river.

Keep an eye on your opponents

Pay attention to what your opponents are doing and try to block them if possible. Use cards that slow them down or block their path.

Don't forget about the market

The market is a great place to buy new cards and upgrade your deck. Make sure to visit the market regularly and buy cards that will help you reach the end faster.

Take risks

Sometimes taking risks can pay off. If you see an opportunity to take a shortcut or bypass an obstacle, go for it. Just make sure you have the right cards to do so.

Don't waste your energy

Your energy is limited, so don't waste it on unnecessary moves. Try to move as efficiently as possible and conserve your energy for when you really need it.

I hope these strategies help you in your quest for El Dorado!

Advanced Strategies for The Quest for El Dorado

Experiment with different deck combinations

After playing the game a few times, you may have a better understanding of which cards work well together. Try experimenting with different deck combinations to see what works best for you.

Take advantage of the board layout

The board layout changes every game, so take advantage of the terrain and obstacles on the board. For example, if there is a lot of water on the board, consider adding more canoe cards to your deck.

Keep track of your opponents' cards

After playing the game a few times, you may start to recognize which cards your opponents have in their decks. Use this knowledge to your advantage and try to block them from using their most powerful cards.

Use the market strategically

The market is a great place to buy new cards, but it can also be used strategically to block your opponents. If you see a card that you know your opponent needs, consider buying it just to prevent them from getting it.

Be flexible with your strategy

While it's important to have a plan, it's also important to be flexible and adapt to the changing board and your opponents' moves. Don't be afraid to change your strategy if it's not working.

Take calculated risks

As you become more familiar with the game, you may be able to take more calculated risks. For example, if you know that your opponent is low on energy, you may be able to take a risk and move quickly to the finish line.

Don't forget about the endgame

While it's important to focus on getting to the finish line, don't forget about the endgame. Make sure you have enough money and energy to cross the finish line and win the game.

I hope these strategies help you improve your gameplay in The Quest for El Dorado!

Mechanics

Modular Board
Hexagon Grid
Hand Management
Open Drafting
Deck, Bag, and Pool Building
Grid Movement
Race
Variable Set-up
Delayed Purchase
Multi-Use Cards

Categories

Exploration
Adventure
Racing