
- BGG rank
- BGG #272
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Cyclades
- 2–5 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2009

Rules assistance for Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala is an expansion for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala released in 2015 for 2–4 players, 40–80 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Bruno Cathala and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Auction / Bidding, and Area Majority / Influence.
Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala, the first expansion for Five Tribes, introduces a new tribe to the game, and players will want to use these artisans to help them in their quest to claim the Sultanate. The artisans, represented in the game by purple meeples, allow players to craft precious goods or magic items, with some of these items being worth victory points (VPs) and others unlocking special powers for their owner. To make use of these artisans, you'll need to visit the new tiles included in this expansion: workshops (where the artisans craft their items) and specialized markets (where players can purchase specific merchandise that they need). An additional tile in the game features an impassable chasm, and this tile — as well as the included mountain markers — forces players to adapt to new landscapes when moving meeples on the board. Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala also includes two new Djinns.
Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala 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 Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala is 40–80 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 Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala for ages 13 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.
Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala has a complexity rating of 2.8 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.
Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Arabian, and Expansion for Base-game. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Auction / Bidding, and Area Majority / Influence. 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 Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala are: Bruno Cathala. 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 Five Tribes: The Artisans of Naqala as an expansion for Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala to use it. Check that your edition of Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.