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Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala box image

Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

Five Tribes is a strategic game where players take turns moving meeples around a board to claim tiles and gain resources. The game involves bidding, set collection, and area control mechanics, and the player with the most points at the end wins.

7.77 / 10
BGG Rating
13+
age
2014
published year
2 - 4
player count
2 - 4
Recommended player count
40 - 80 mins
play time

How Complex is Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala?

2.84 / 5

Five Tribes has moderate complexity due to its multiple mechanics and strategic options. However, the rulebook is well-written and the game is easy to learn with practice.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a minor role in Five Tribes as players have control over their moves and decisions. However, the random placement of tiles and meeples can affect the game's outcome.

How much Player Interaction does Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala offer?

3.5 / 5

Five Tribes offers moderate player interaction through bidding, blocking, and stealing resources from opponents. However, players can also focus on their own strategies without much interference from others.

How much Replayability does Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala offer?

4 / 5

Five Tribes offers high replayability due to the random placement of tiles and meeples, multiple strategies, and variable setup options with different expansion modules.

Why you should play Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

Unique gameplay

Five Tribes offers a unique gameplay experience that is unlike any other board game. Players must strategically move and manipulate different colored meeples on a grid-like board to gain control of different territories and earn points.

Replayability

With over 90 different tiles and 30 unique djinn cards, Five Tribes offers a high level of replayability. Each game is different, and players must adapt their strategies based on the tiles and djinn cards available.

Easy to learn, difficult to master

While the rules of Five Tribes are relatively simple to understand, the game offers a high level of depth and complexity. Players must carefully plan their moves and consider the actions of their opponents to succeed.

Beautiful artwork

Five Tribes features stunning artwork and high-quality components that add to the overall gaming experience.

Solo play option

Five Tribes also offers a solo play option, allowing players to enjoy the game even when they don't have a group to play with.

Strategic depth

The game offers a lot of strategic depth, with players having to balance their moves between gaining points and disrupting their opponents' plans.

Engaging gameplay

The game is engaging and keeps players on their toes, with each turn offering new opportunities and challenges.

Why you should avoid Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

Complexity

While the game is easy to learn, it can be quite complex and overwhelming for some players. The many different tiles and djinn cards can be difficult to keep track of, and the game requires a lot of strategic planning.

Length

Five Tribes can be a long game, especially with more players. The game can take up to 2 hours to play, which may not be suitable for players looking for a quicker gaming experience.

Luck-based

While the game requires a lot of strategy, there is also a significant element of luck involved. The tiles and djinn cards that are available can greatly impact a player's success, and some players may find this frustrating.

Analysis paralysis

The game can lead to analysis paralysis, where players spend a lot of time analyzing their moves and the potential outcomes. This can slow down the game and make it less enjoyable for some players.

Limited player interaction

While the game does involve some player interaction, it is not as high as in other games. Some players may prefer games that offer more direct player interaction and conflict.

Where to find the Rules of Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala.

Focus on getting control of the board

In Five Tribes, controlling the board is key to winning. Try to control as many tiles as possible and use your meeples to block your opponents from taking control of the board.

Plan your moves ahead of time

Before making a move, take a moment to think about the possible consequences of your move. Consider how your move will affect the board and your opponents' moves.

Use the special abilities of the tribes

Each tribe has a unique ability that can be used to your advantage. For example, the yellow tribe allows you to move diagonally, which can be useful for reaching tiles that are otherwise difficult to access.

Collect sets of resources

Collecting sets of resources can earn you a lot of points. Try to collect sets of the same resource or sets of different resources to maximize your points.

Keep an eye on the scoring opportunities

There are many ways to score points in Five Tribes, such as collecting sets of resources, controlling tiles, and completing special objectives. Keep an eye on these opportunities and try to take advantage of them whenever possible.

Don't forget about the djinn

The djinn cards can be very powerful and can give you a significant advantage. Try to collect djinn cards whenever possible and use their abilities to your advantage.

Be flexible

In Five Tribes, the board can change quickly, so be prepared to adapt your strategy as the game progresses. Don't be afraid to change your plans if a better opportunity arises.

I hope these strategies help you get started with Five Tribes!

Advanced Strategies for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

Focus on the endgame

As you become more familiar with the game, you'll start to see the importance of planning for the endgame. Try to position yourself to score big points in the final rounds of the game.

Use the assassin meeple strategically

The assassin meeple can be a powerful tool for removing opponents' meeples from the board. Use it strategically to disrupt your opponents' plans and gain control of the board.

Consider the value of the tiles

Some tiles are more valuable than others, depending on their location and the resources they provide. Consider the value of each tile before making your move and try to prioritize the most valuable tiles.

Use the elders to your advantage

The elders can be used to gain extra actions or resources. Try to use them strategically to maximize their benefits.

Don't forget about the palm trees

The palm trees can be a valuable source of points, especially if you can collect sets of them. Don't overlook them in your strategy.

Be aware of your opponents' moves

As you become more experienced with the game, you'll start to see patterns in your opponents' moves. Use this knowledge to anticipate their moves and block their plans.

Experiment with different strategies

Five Tribes offers many different paths to victory, so don't be afraid to experiment with different strategies. Try different combinations of tribes, resources, and objectives to find the approach that works best for you.

I hope these strategies help you take your Five Tribes gameplay to the next level!

Mechanics

Set Collection
Modular Board
Auction/Bidding
Variable Player Powers
Take That
Turn Order: Auction
Victory Points as a Resource
End Game Bonuses
Variable Set-up
Constrained Bidding
Square Grid
Mancala
Hidden Victory Points

Categories

Fantasy
Arabian
Mythology