- BGG rank
- BGG #3,129
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Sierra West
- 1–4 players
- 40–60 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Rules assistance for Buru: Ambelau
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–5 players
- 60–90 min
- 12+
- Complexity 3.0/5
Rules assistant for Buru: Ambelau
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Buru: Ambelau is an expansion for Buru released in 2024 for 1–5 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Jonny Pac, Alex Flagg, Taran Lewis Kratz, and Stephen Wren and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, End Game Bonuses, and Solo / Solitaire Game.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #291
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Unconscious Mind
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 4.0/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #63
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Anachrony
- 1–4 players
- 30–120 min
- Complexity 4.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #183
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Parks
- 1–5 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #310
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Hallertau
- 1–4 players
- 50–140 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,826
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Snow Planner
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,053
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Parks (Second Edition)
- 1–5 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,024
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Gentes
- 1–4 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,586
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Coloma
- 1–6 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #609
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Pipeline
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #72
- BGG rating
- 8.0
The White Castle
- 1–4 players
- 80 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,737
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Lions of Lydia
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2021
About the game
The Ambelau expansion adds seven discrete modules to expand and deepen your games of Buru, including a new board/region, multiple mini-expansions, and the option for a fifth player. These modules may be used individually or in any combination. Included in this expansion are: - Fifth Player Module: All the components required to add a fifth player to the game. - Ukum Module: The spirit Ukum represents justice and order in Buru. Players pay tribute to Ukum by exiling those who violate the natural law — especially Outcasts, a new type of Islander. - Ambelau Module: The lush volcanic island of Ambelau is just a short trip from Buru. Players may send Explorers to this new region in canoes, where new action spaces await. Ambelau actions let you collect resources, gather fish, recruit Guides, and pay tribute to Ibu, the spirit of growth and life. - Lawan Module: Solo options are included for everything in this expansion. -Tokoh Module: Introduce leaders to your expeditions with asymmetrical starting positions and exclusive special actions for each player that may be taken in lieu of region actions. -Blessings Module: Seeking a strong bond with the newcomers, the inhabitants of the island offer support to those most in need - specifically, those with the lowest bid in each region. -Liaisons Module: The Majapahit King sends a special diplomat with each party, offering a chance at a second action in the same region - but only if the Liaisons don't undermine each other's efforts!
Mechanics
Publishers
- Kobold Spieleverlag
- Crafty Games
Questions and answers
Buru: Ambelau supports 1–5 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 Buru: Ambelau is 60–90 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 Buru: Ambelau for ages 12 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.
Buru: Ambelau has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Buru: Ambelau belongs to these categories: Economic, Exploration, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, End Game Bonuses, and Solo / Solitaire Game. 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 Buru: Ambelau are: Jonny Pac, Alex Flagg, Taran Lewis Kratz, and Stephen Wren. 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 Buru: Ambelau as an expansion for Buru. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Buru to use it. Check that your edition of Buru is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.