- BGG rank
- BGG #9,376
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Sweet Takes
- 2–5 players
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- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2023
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Patronize
2013
Rules assistance for Patronize
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–5 players
- 20 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.1/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Patronize
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Patronize is a board game released in 2013 for 3–5 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Hisashi Hayashi and its main mechanics are Hand Management and Trick-taking.
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About the game
The setting: Toscana during the Renaissance, in an Italia that has yet to develop a central government in a Europe that has only recently emerged from the dark ages. The nobles that held power have fallen, and traders with money are now attempting to climb the ladder of power. Determined to elevate their fame, they use their finances to become patrons of talented individuals, and aid and protect them in their endeavors. In Patronize (パトロナイズ), the players are wealthy merchants who control individuals with talents in fields such as religion, arts, science, and exploration, trying to become more famous. But other rich merchants are also out there, and the competition to become someone's official patron is fierce; sometimes your intended protégé is snatched from under your nose. Patronize uses trick-taking mechanisms and features 17 types of people cards, all with different abilities. Packaged inside AEG's version are: Dominare: Promo Cards Mercante: Shipment & Fleeting Promo Cards Courtier: Power Promo Cards
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Alderac Entertainment Group
- Japon Brand
- OKAZU Brand
- GameField
Questions and answers
Patronize supports 3–5 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 Patronize is 20 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 Patronize for ages 14 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.
Patronize has a complexity rating of 2.1 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.
Patronize belongs to these categories: Card Game and Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Trick-taking. 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 Patronize are: Hisashi Hayashi. 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 Patronize 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.