Santorini
Santorini is an abstract strategy game where players take turns moving their builders around a 3D board to construct buildings and outmaneuver their opponents to be the first to reach the top of a building.
How Complex is Santorini?
Santorini is easy to learn but difficult to master, with simple rules and mechanics that allow for deep strategic gameplay.
How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Santorini?
Luck plays no role in Santorini as players have full control over their moves and the game's outcome is determined by strategy and skill.
How much Player Interaction does Santorini offer?
Santorini offers high player interaction as players must constantly outmaneuver and block their opponent's moves to gain an advantage and ultimately win the game.
How much Replayability does Santorini offer?
Santorini offers high replayability due to the various combinations of god powers and board layouts, providing a unique experience each game.
Why you should play Santorini
Easy to Learn
Santorini is a simple game to learn, with only a few basic rules. This makes it a great game for beginners or for those who want a quick and easy game to play.
Strategic Gameplay
Despite its simplicity, Santorini offers a lot of strategic depth. Players must carefully plan their moves and anticipate their opponent's moves in order to win.
Beautiful Artwork
The game features stunning artwork inspired by the Greek island of Santorini. The board and pieces are all beautifully designed and add to the overall experience of the game.
Replayability
With different player powers and variable board setups, Santorini offers a lot of replayability. No two games will be exactly the same, keeping the game fresh and exciting.
Fun for All Ages
Santorini is a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. It's a great game to play with family or friends, and can be a fun way to introduce younger players to strategy games.
Why you should avoid Santorini
Limited Player Count
Santorini works best with 2 players, which may not be ideal for those who prefer games that can accommodate larger groups.
Lack of Randomness
Some players may find the lack of randomness in Santorini to be a drawback. Since the game relies solely on player strategy, there is no element of chance or luck involved.
Limited Theme
While the artwork is beautiful, the theme of building towers on a Greek island may not appeal to everyone. Players who prefer games with more immersive themes may find Santorini to be lacking in this regard.
Where to play Santorini online?
- Board Game Arena - https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=santorini
- Tabletopia - https://tabletopia.com/games/santorini
Where to find the Rules of Santorini
Check the rules of Santorini in a PDF file.
You can also find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Santorini files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.
Beginner Strategies for Santorini
These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Santorini.
Santorini can be played in 2 different modes, with the God powers & without the God powers.
Focus on building up your structures
The objective of the game is to build a tower to the third level and climb on it. So, it's important to focus on building up your structures as quickly as possible. Try to build your structures in a way that allows you to move your workers up the tower easily.
Control the board
Try to control the board by blocking your opponent's workers and limiting their movement options. This will make it harder for them to build their structures and move up the tower.
Use your workers' abilities wisely
When you play with God powers, each worker gets a unique ability that can be used to your advantage. For example, your worker can move up to 2 spaces per turn. Use these abilities to your advantage to gain an edge over your opponent.
Plan ahead
It's important to plan ahead and anticipate your opponent's moves. Try to think a few steps ahead and consider how your opponent might respond to your moves.
Advanced Strategies for Santorini
Don't forget about the other winning condition
Remember that the game can also be won by trapping your opponent's workers so they can't move and build. Keep this in mind as you play and look for opportunities to trap your opponent's workers.
Use the board to your advantage
As you become more familiar with the game, you'll start to notice patterns in the board layout. Use this knowledge to your advantage by positioning your workers in areas that give you the most options for building and moving.
Use dome to prevent your opponents from winning
Dome is a powerful tool that can be used to block your opponent from getting to the level 3 block i.e. preventing them from winning. You should build a dome on a level 3 block when your opponent is standing on a level 2 block adjacent to it.
