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Clans of Caledonia

Clans of Caledonia is a strategic board game set in 19th century Scotland. Players represent historic clans, managing resources, trading goods, and expanding their territories to become the dominant economic power.

7.94 / 10
BGG Rating
12+
age
2017
published year
1 - 4
player count
1 - 4
Recommended player count
30 - 120 mins
play time

How Complex is Clans of Caledonia?

3.46 / 5

Clans of Caledonia has a moderate complexity level, with a steep learning curve but intuitive mechanics. It may take a few plays to fully grasp the strategy.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Clans of Caledonia?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a minor role in Clans of Caledonia. While there is some randomness in the initial setup and market prices, players have control over their actions and can mitigate luck through strategic planning.

How much Player Interaction does Clans of Caledonia offer?

3.5 / 5

Clans of Caledonia has moderate player interaction. Players can block each other from certain actions and compete for market prices, but there is no direct conflict or negotiation.

How much Replayability does Clans of Caledonia offer?

4 / 5

Clans of Caledonia offers high replayability due to the variable setup, multiple clan abilities, and different strategies to pursue. The game also has a modular board and various expansions to add even more variety.

Why you should play Clans of Caledonia

Unique Theme

Clans of Caledonia is set in 19th century Scotland, where players take on the role of Scottish clans competing to become the dominant economic power in the region. The game's theme is unique and provides an immersive experience for players.

Strategic Gameplay

The game offers a deep and engaging strategic experience, with players managing resources, building structures, and trading goods to gain victory points. The game's mechanics are well-balanced and offer a variety of paths to victory.

Beautiful Artwork

The game features stunning artwork that captures the beauty of the Scottish countryside and the charm of the game's theme. The components are also of high quality, with thick cardboard tiles and wooden pieces.

Replayability

Clans of Caledonia offers a high level of replayability, with each game offering a unique experience based on the randomly generated board and player choices. The game also offers a variety of different clans to play as, each with their own unique abilities and starting resources.

Easy to Learn

Despite its depth and complexity, Clans of Caledonia is relatively easy to learn. The game's rulebook is well-written and easy to follow, and the game's mechanics are intuitive and easy to understand.

Solo Mode

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

Awards

Clans of Caledonia has won several awards, including the Golden Geek Award for Best Strategy Game in 2018, which is a testament to the game's quality and popularity among board game enthusiasts.

Why you should avoid Clans of Caledonia

Complexity

While the game is relatively easy to learn, it can still be quite complex for some players, especially those who are new to the hobby. The game's depth and strategic complexity may be overwhelming for some players.

Length

Clans of Caledonia can be a long game, especially with a full player count. The game can take upwards of 2-3 hours to play, which may not be suitable for players looking for a shorter game experience.

Price

The game is relatively expensive compared to other board games on the market, which may be a barrier for some players who are on a budget.

Lack of Player Interaction

While the game does offer some player interaction, it is primarily a solitaire game where players are focused on building their own economic engine. Some players may prefer games with more direct player interaction.

Theme

While the game's theme is unique and immersive, it may not appeal to all players. Some players may find the Scottish theme uninteresting or unappealing.

Where to find the Rules of Clans of Caledonia

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

Beginner Strategies for Clans of Caledonia

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

Focus on your clan's strengths

Each clan has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. For example, the MacKenzie clan is good at producing milk and cheese, while the Cameron clan is good at producing whiskey. Focus on your clan's strengths and try to maximize your production of those goods.

Plan ahead

Clans of Caledonia is a game that rewards planning ahead. Try to anticipate what goods will be in demand in the future and produce them accordingly. Also, keep an eye on the market prices and adjust your production accordingly.

Balance your resources

It's important to balance your resources in Clans of Caledonia. Don't focus too much on one type of resource at the expense of others. For example, if you're producing a lot of milk and cheese, make sure you also have enough grain and wool to feed your animals.

Use your merchants wisely

Merchants are a valuable resource in Clans of Caledonia. Use them to buy and sell goods at the right time to maximize your profits. Also, try to use your merchants to fulfill contracts and gain extra points.

Keep an eye on your opponents

In Clans of Caledonia, it's important to keep an eye on what your opponents are doing. Try to anticipate their moves and adjust your strategy accordingly. For example, if you see that an opponent is producing a lot of whiskey, you may want to focus on producing a different type of good to avoid competition.

Advanced Strategies for Clans of Caledonia

Diversify your income

In the early game, it's important to focus on producing one or two types of goods to get your engine going. However, as the game progresses, it's important to diversify your income. Try to produce a variety of goods to ensure a steady stream of income.

Plan your shipping routes

Shipping is an important aspect of Clans of Caledonia. Try to plan your shipping routes efficiently to minimize your costs and maximize your profits. Also, keep an eye on your opponents' shipping routes and try to disrupt them if possible.

Take advantage of the market

The market is a key component of Clans of Caledonia. Try to take advantage of the market prices to buy low and sell high. Also, keep an eye on the market trends and adjust your production accordingly.

Fulfill contracts strategically

Contracts are a great way to earn extra points in Clans of Caledonia. However, it's important to fulfill them strategically. Try to focus on contracts that align with your production strategy and that will earn you the most points.

Use your buildings effectively

Buildings are a powerful tool in Clans of Caledonia. Try to use them effectively to gain an advantage over your opponents. For example, the distillery building can be used to produce whiskey more efficiently, while the market building can be used to manipulate the market prices in your favor.

Mechanics

Modular Board
Commodity Speculation
Variable Player Powers
Network and Route Building
Solo / Solitaire Game
Turn Order: Pass Order
Market
Income
Contracts

Categories

Farming
Economic