The Oracle of Delphi: A Guide to Strategy and Rules, Instructions & Tips

Introduction

The Oracle of Delphi is a pretty cool board game that takes players back to ancient Greece. It’s a tile-based game where you take on the role of a hero trying to gain favor with the gods. The game was designed by Stefan Feld (creator of Bonfire, among other games, that I’ve also written about previously). It was released in 2016.

It’s known for its unique blend of strategy, luck, and player interaction. The goal is to complete twelve tasks given by Zeus before your opponents do. These tasks can be anything from building statues, making offerings, or defeating monsters. The game is set on a modular board, which means it can change every time you play, making each game a new experience.

Rules for playing The Oracle of Delphi

The Oracle of Delphi is played over a series of rounds where players roll dice to determine their actions. Each player has three dice, and the color of the die determines what action you can take. You can use these actions to move your ship, fight monsters, collect resources, or complete tasks. There are six different colors, each corresponding to different actions. If you roll a color you can’t use, you can offer a prayer to the gods to change it to a color you need.

Players also have favor tokens they can use to perform extra actions or enhance their existing actions. The game ends when a player completes all twelve of Zeus’s tasks and returns to Zeus’s starting tile. The rules are quite detailed, but once you get the hang of it, the gameplay is smooth and engaging.

Equipment and Setup for The Oracle of Delphi

To play The Oracle of Delphi, you need the game box, which includes a board, dice, cards, tokens, and player pieces. The board is made up of hexagonal tiles that are randomly placed to create the game area. Each player gets a ship, a set of colored dice, and favor tokens. You also get a hero board to track your progress on tasks.

Setting up the game involves placing the tiles to create the game area, setting up the islands with their respective statues, monsters, and resources, and placing Zeus in the center. Players then place their ships on the starting tile and receive their tasks from Zeus.

How to Play The Oracle of Delphi and Game Mechanics

The Oracle of Delphi has several key game mechanics that players need to understand:

1. Rolling Dice: At the start of your turn, you roll three dice. The colors determine your actions.
2. Actions: You can move, fight, pick up resources, or work towards completing a task.
3. Favor Tokens: These can be used to change die colors or enhance actions.
4. God Powers: Each player has a patron god with a special power that can be used once per round.
5. Tasks: Completing tasks is how you win the game. You need to focus on these to progress.

Gameplay is divided into rounds, and each round has several phases:

1. Roll Dice: Determine your available actions.
2. Perform Actions: Use your dice to take actions.
3. Check for Completed Tasks: See if you’ve completed any tasks.
4. End of Round: Prepare for the next round.

The game ends when a player completes all their tasks and returns to Zeus’s tile.

How to Win at The Oracle of Delphi

To win at The Oracle of Delphi, you need to complete tasks efficiently. Beginners should focus on understanding how different actions work together. Intermediate players can start to plan their turns in advance, and advanced players will need to anticipate their opponents’ moves and adapt their strategies accordingly.

It’s important to balance your actions. Don’t focus too much on one type of task. Spread out your efforts to make steady progress on all tasks. Also, don’t ignore the monsters. Defeating them can give you valuable rewards that can help you complete other tasks faster.

Best Strategies for playing The Oracle of Delphi game

One of the best strategies is to be flexible. The game is unpredictable, and you need to be able to change your plan based on the dice you roll and the actions of other players. Another strategy is to use your favor tokens wisely. They are a limited resource, so make sure you use them at the right time to maximize their effect.

Also, pay attention to your patron god’s power. Using this power at the right time can give you a significant advantage. Lastly, try to complete tasks in an order that minimizes the amount of movement you need to do. The less you move, the more actions you can take to complete tasks.

Scenarios

Good scenarios in The Oracle of Delphi often involve rolling the exact colors you need to complete tasks quickly. When this happens, take full advantage and push ahead on your tasks. Bad scenarios might involve rolling colors that don’t match your immediate needs. In these cases, use favor tokens or god powers to mitigate the bad luck.

If you find yourself falling behind, focus on tasks that other players are ignoring. This can help you catch up without direct competition.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing The Oracle of Delphi game

Here are some common questions and answers:

1. Q: Can I change the color of more than one die with a single prayer?
   A: No, each prayer only allows you to change the color of one die.
2. Q: What happens if I can’t use any of my dice?
   A: You can use favor tokens to change the dice colors or pass your turn.
3. Q: Can I complete more than one task in a turn?
   A: Yes, if your actions allow it, you can complete multiple tasks in one turn.
4. Q: How do I fight monsters?
   A: You need to roll a die with the color matching the monster’s tile and use an action to fight it.
5. Q: Can I block other players?
   A: You can’t block players directly, but you can complete tasks they are aiming for or take resources they need.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some extra tips to help you in The Oracle of Delphi:

1. Keep track of which tasks other players are close to completing and try to finish them first if possible.
2. Don’t forget to use your ship’s storage ability to hold onto resources or statues until you’re ready to use them.
3. Plan your route around the board to minimize wasted movement.

External Links

For more information on The Oracle of Delphi, check out the following links:

Official Thames & Kosmos Page for The Oracle of Delphi