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Splendor box image

Splendor

Splendor is a strategy game where players collect gems to purchase cards, which provide permanent bonuses and victory points. The first player to reach 15 points wins.

7.42 / 10
BGG Rating
10+
age
2014
published year
2 - 4
player count
2 - 4
Recommended player count
30 mins
play time

How Complex is Splendor?

1.78 / 5

Splendor is easy to learn and play, with simple rules and mechanics, making it accessible to both casual and experienced gamers.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Splendor?

2 / 5

Luck plays a minor role in Splendor as players have control over their decisions and can plan ahead, but the randomness of the replacing development card when one is claimed during the game can affect the game's outcome.

How much Player Interaction does Splendor offer?

2 / 5

Splendor has limited player interaction as players can only reserve a card or take a gem that another player may want, but there are no direct conflicts or negotiations.

How much Replayability does Splendor offer?

2.5 / 5

Splendor offers moderate replayability due to the random setup of cards and gems, different strategies to win, and the ability to play with different player counts.

Why you should play Splendor

Easy to Learn

Splendor is a relatively simple game to learn, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. The rules are straightforward and the gameplay is intuitive, so you can start playing right away.

Strategic Depth

Despite its simplicity, Splendor offers a surprising amount of strategic depth. There are multiple paths to victory, and players must carefully make strategic decisions to outmaneuver their opponents.

Quick Gameplay

Splendor is a relatively quick game to play, with most games lasting around 30 minutes. This makes it a great choice for a quick game night or as a warm-up game before diving into something more complex.

Beautiful Components

Splendor features high-quality components, including beautiful gem tokens and artwork that really immerses you in the game's theme.

Replayability

With multiple paths to victory and a randomized setup, each game of Splendor is unique. This means that you can play it over and over again without it getting stale.

Why you should avoid Splendor

Lack of Player Interaction

While Splendor is a great game for strategic thinking, it can be lacking in player interaction. Players are mostly focused on building their own engine and collecting gems, with little direct interaction with other players.

Limited Theme

While the artwork and components are beautiful, the theme of Splendor can feel a bit limited. The game is focused solely on collecting gems and building a gem empire, which may not be as engaging for some players.

Limited Replayability for Some

While I mentioned earlier that Splendor has great replayability, some players may find that the game loses its appeal after a few plays. The gameplay can feel repetitive for some, and the lack of player interaction may make it less engaging for others.

Where to find the Rules of Splendor

Check the rules of Splendor in a PDF file.

You can also find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Splendor files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Splendor

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Splendor.

Focus on acquiring development cards early on

Development cards are crucial in Splendor as they provide you with permanent bonuses that can help you throughout the game. Try to acquire development cards that give you discounts on gem purchases or extra gem bonuses.

Balance your gem purchases

It's important to have a balance of different types of gems in Splendor. Try to acquire a few of each type of gem so that you can purchase any card that comes up.

Keep an eye on the nobles

Nobles are special cards that give you points if you have a certain combination of development cards. Keep an eye on the nobles that are available and try to acquire the development cards that match their requirements.

Block your opponents

If you see that your opponents are going for a certain strategy, try to block them by purchasing the cards they need or taking the gems they need.

Don't forget about the gold gems

Gold gems are wild cards that can be used as any type of gem. Don't forget about them and try to acquire them whenever possible.

Keep an eye on your opponents' points

It's important to keep an eye on your opponents' points and try to prevent them from getting too far ahead. If you see that an opponent is close to winning, try to block them or focus on acquiring high-point cards.

Plan ahead

Splendor is a game that requires planning ahead. Try to think a few turns ahead and anticipate what cards your opponents might go for or what gems they might need.

I hope these strategies help you in your first game of Splendor!

Advanced Strategies for Splendor

Diversify your strategy

Once you've played Splendor a few times, you'll start to notice that certain strategies work better than others. However, it's important to diversify your strategy and try different approaches to keep your opponents guessing.

Take risks

In Splendor, sometimes it pays off to take risks. For example, if you see a high-point card that you really want but don't have all the required gems, consider taking a chance and hoping that you'll be able to acquire the missing gems later.

Pay attention to the reserve cards

Reserve cards are cards that you can take and keep hidden from your opponents. They can be useful if you're trying to acquire a specific card or if you want to prevent your opponents from getting a card they need.

Use your opponents' moves to your advantage

Pay attention to what your opponents are doing and try to use their moves to your advantage. For example, if you see that an opponent is going for a certain strategy, try to block them by taking the gems or cards they need.

Don't forget about the end game

In Splendor, the end game can sneak up on you quickly. Make sure you're keeping an eye on the point values of the cards and the nobles, and try to acquire high-point cards and nobles whenever possible.

Be flexible

Sometimes your strategy won't work out the way you planned, and that's okay. Be flexible and willing to adapt your strategy as the game progresses.

Think about the long-term

In Splendor, it's important to think about the long-term. Try to acquire development cards that will give you permanent bonuses or that will help you acquire other cards more easily.

I hope these strategies help you in your future games of Splendor!

Mechanics

Set Collection
Open Drafting
Race
Contracts

Categories

Card Game
Economic
Renaissance