Yeah i went there… I like Puns. I’ve recently been playing a fair few games on Board Games Arena and one of the games I’ve played the most, along with Azul, is Splendor. It’s one of my favourite games for a number of reasons. It usually doesn’t take too long to play.
Although one game recently took longer than expected. It’s super easy to pick up for new players and there are a range of strategic options when playing. While there’s plenty of strategic depth, the game never feels overwhelming. It’s perfect for introducing new players to strategy games, yet it still offers enough challenge to keep seasoned gamers engaged.
What is Splendor?
In Splendor, you take on the role of a Renaissance merchant, vying for fame and fortune through the acquisition of precious gems. You’ll collect gems, purchase cards, and attract the patronage of nobles to score victory points.
How do you play Splendor?
1. Setup
- Lay out the three levels of development cards in a 4×3 grid.
- Place the noble tiles above the cards.
- Sort the gem tokens by colour and place them in piles.
- Determine the starting player.
2. Gameplay
Players take turns in clockwise order, choosing one of the following actions per turn:
- Take 3 different gem tokens – Pick three distinct gem colours from the available supply.
- Take 2 of the same gem token – Only allowed if at least four tokens of that colour are in the supply.
- Reserve a development card – Take a card from the grid (or blindly from the deck) and gain a gold (wild) token.
- Purchase a development card – Spend tokens to buy a card, which may provide permanent discounts on future purchases and prestige points.
After taking an action, if a player meets the requirements for a noble tile (based on their development cards), they automatically claim it for additional prestige points.
3. Winning the Game
The game continues until a player reaches 15 prestige points. Once this occurs, the current round is completed, and the player with the highest total points wins!
Why I Love Splendor, the Headlines
- Quick to Learn, Hard to Master – The simple rules mean anyone can play, but experienced players can develop deep strategies.
- High-Quality Components – The gem tokens feel good quality, adding to the overall experience.
- Great Replayability – The randomised card setup ensures that no two games feel the same.
- Works at Any Player Count – Whether playing with two or four, the game remains engaging and competitive.
If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to pick up but endlessly enjoyable, Splendor is a must-have for any board game collection.
Splendor is a captivating blend of strategy, luck, and elegance that quickly became a favourite in my collection. If you’re looking for a game that is easy to learn, fun to play, and perfect for a variety of players, I highly recommend giving Splendor a try.