
- BGG rank
- BGG #4
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Gloomhaven
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2017

Rules assistance for Source of the Nile: Tributary
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.
Source of the Nile: Tributary is an expansion for Source of the Nile released in 1978 for 1–6 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up.
Expansion for the Discovery Games edition of Source of the Nile. This supplement clarifies many rules from Source of the Nile, and introduces many new and optional rules including: Customizing not only the explorer but EVERY guide, bearer and askari with individual skills, strengths, and weaknesses Rules for lady explorers Rules for developments in weapon technology, to even up the odds against the heathen savages Rules for the slave trade, and encounters with slave raiders Cape Colony and the Boers Rules for shooting the rapids and going over cataracts A name generator for tribes While this supplement was intended for the Discovery Games edition, with a little tweaking, it is serviceable for use with the Avalon Hill edition, particularly if you use the "game 2" ruleset. Using all of these rules will greatly increase the complexity of the game, but if you can handle it all, it is a very rewarding and involved simulation of an African adventure.
Source of the Nile: Tributary supports 1–6 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 Source of the Nile: Tributary is 180 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 Source of the Nile: Tributary 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.
Source of the Nile: Tributary 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.
Source of the Nile: Tributary belongs to these categories: Exploration, Adventure, and Expansion for Base-game. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Source of the Nile: Tributary and want something comparable for your next game night.
The catalogue lists Source of the Nile: Tributary as an expansion for Source of the Nile. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Source of the Nile to use it. Check that your edition of Source of the Nile is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.