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.
- Adds new land tiles that alter the board state.
- Introduces a new tribe (Artisans) that provides items (points, abilities, resources).
- Adds tents that offer new scoring opportunities.
- Increases strategic depth.
- Merchants and artisans in a city, acquiring goods and resources.
- Naila
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Majority — Tents provide end-game points for surrounding red spaces.
- meeple placement — New land tiles with chasm and mountain icons require players to plan meeple dispersement to avoid those spaces.
- Set Collection — The Artisans provide items that can be points, special abilities, or resources.
- Tile Placement — New land tiles are placed at the start of the game to make up the center of the board.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I love these new mechanics to already two very very very good games here
- so definitely add them to your collection
References (from this video)
- Obstruction changes strategies and reduces free-form play
- Thematic integration with new tiles and tribes
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- pit and mountain obstruction — adds a giant pit and mountain tiles that obstruct corners, shaping strategies.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Ra is a game that came out well over 20 years ago.
- Ra: Traders is so good.
- It's a complete knock out of the park, and I can't imagine playing Wingspan without it.
- Power Up was such a brilliant way to address some of those little points of design in here.