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- BGG #29,784
- BGG rating
- 4.9
Azuchi Castle
- 2–4 players
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Athens
2018
Rules assistance for Athens
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30–50 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.0/5
Rules assistant for Athens
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Athens is a board game released in 2018 for 2–4 players, 30–50 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Sungwoo Hyun and Minwoo Hyun and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Push Your Luck.
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About the game
“ … Let me say that our system of government does not copy the institutions of our neighbors. It is more the case of our being a model to others than of our imitating anyone else. Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people… … When our work is over, we are in a position to enjoy all kinds of recreation for our spirits. There are various kinds of contests and sacrifices regularly throughout the year; in our own homes we find a beauty and a good taste which delight us every day and which drive away our cares. Then the greatness of our city brings it about that all the good things from all over the world flow in to us, so that to us it seems just as natural to enjoy foreign goods as our own local products… … Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now…” – Pericles In the 5th century B.C., through the Persian wars, the Delian league was founded under the leadership of Athens—this alliance was actually the Athenian empire. Athens became the wealthiest and strongest city-state in the world, but she also faced difficult challenges from inside and outside of her. In Athens, players acting in the role of leaders in the heyday of Athens would contribute to its sustainable prosperity. Athens is played over a maximum of 14 rounds. There are four phases to complete each round: People Management Phase, Base Phase, Action Phase, and Event Phase. You will expand your base, manage the people and then perform an event in every round: preparing for war by raising armies, holding a festival with trading goods, and so on. You need not only to make an effective plan but also accept a bit of uncertainty. By the grace of goddess Athena, your leadership will make Athens greater! —description from the publisher
Designers
Publishers
- Baccum Inc.
Questions and answers
Athens supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Athens is 30–50 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Athens for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Athens has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Athens belongs to these categories: Card Game, Economic, and Dice. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Push Your Luck. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Athens are: Sungwoo Hyun and Minwoo Hyun. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Athens as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.