Space Aztecs
Space Aztecs Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Aim of the Game
Gain the most points by having the most surviving Aztecs in your city after the end of the world!
Contents
- 72 cards
- 8 Codex cards
- 4 sets of cards: Villagers and Animals; Warriors; The Superiors; NCDBFS Special Agents
- Each set of cards contains: 10 Aztec cards, 3 Temple cards, 3 Flying Saucer cards
- 8 Place tiles
- 1 Sundial board
- 1 wooden Starting Player token
For easy access during the game, the rules for each set of cards are explained at the back of this booklet.
Set Up
A. Assemble the deck of cards according to the number of players:
- For 5 to 6 players, play with all 4 sets of cards. Shuffle them together, including the 8 Codex cards (72 cards).
- For 2 to 4 players, you will only play with 3 sets of cards. Randomly, or by choice, remove 1 of the 4 sets of cards (10 Aztec cards, 3 Temple cards and 3 Flying Saucer cards).
B. Randomly deal the cards into 8 face down piles.
- For 5 to 6 players, there will be 9 cards in each pile.
- For 2 to 4 players, there will be 7 cards in each pile.
C. On each pile, place one Place tile face-up.
D. Arrange the 8 piles around the Sundial board, matching the symbols on the place tiles to the symbols on the sundial.
E. The player wearing the most colorful outfit takes the Starting Player token.
Variant for younger players: Space Aztecs is suitable for players aged 7 and up. We suggest that younger players play without the Codex cards.
Turn Overview
- Each player takes one pile of cards, starting with the Starting Player and proceeding clockwise.
- Without showing other players, each player chooses a card from their pile simultaneously, places it face down in front of them, then returns the pile to its position around the Sundial.
- All players announce the time displayed on their card (while keeping the card itself hidden from the other players).
- The player with the earliest time immediately takes the Starting Player token, plays their card face up in front of them, and applies its effect if it has one. Proceeding in clockwise order, all other players then play their cards face up and apply any effect.
Each turn is played in the same way until the end of the world!
End of the World - End of the Game
The game ends when there are no more cards left in two of the piles, or when:
- For 2 to 4 players: 7 Flying Saucers have been played.
- For 5 to 6 players: 9 Flying Saucers have been played.
Finish the round, then calculate the final scores by adding, in this order:
- Bonus victory points on the Codex cards.
- Victory points on the Aztec cards in your city, regardless of whether they are in a Temple.
- Points from Flying Saucer attacks.
The player with the most points wins the game.
Example of a (good) score: 2 + 10 + 5 + 10 + 5* = 32 points (*5 points if you have at least one card of each color, from the Codex card "To Life!").
Flying Saucer Cards
There are 3 Flying Saucers in each set of cards. The Flying Saucers' power comes into effect immediately when played and must be applied before the next player plays their card. Playing a Flying Saucer card lets you attack your opponents' Aztec cards.
Each player, except the player who has just played the Flying Saucer, discards a visible Aztec card (one that is not covered by a Temple card) of the same color as the Flying Saucer card. If multiple Aztec cards of the same color are visible, the player who played the Flying Saucer card can choose which is discarded.
When you play a Flying Saucer card, place it face up in front of the cards in your city. Slide your opponents' discarded Aztec cards underneath it. You will gain 1 point for each of these at the end of the game.
Remember: the game ends after 7 or 9 Flying Saucer cards have been played, depending on the number of players!
Temple Cards
There are 3 Temples in each set of cards. When you play a Temple card, gather all the Aztec cards of the same color that you have already played. Put them in a pile, with the Temple card on top. These Aztecs will be protected from Flying Saucer attacks.
Be careful: as soon as a Temple is played, it is impossible to place further Aztecs underneath it, apart from when you play a (Very) Special Agent. The inhabitants have barricaded themselves inside and refuse to open up to anyone!
Codex Cards
The Codex cards are signs that the Gods have come to give you a helping hand. When you play a Codex card, it is placed face up next to your city. It will bring you bonus victory points when you count final scores at the end of the game. Example: Cozy Den: 2 points for each occupied temple.
Important: Flying Saucer cards never count when adding up points from the Codex cards!
Aztec Cards
These cards represent the characters in the game. Each Aztec card gives you points at the end of the game, according to the number written on the card. Some cards have specific rules, which are explained in more detail below.
The color of the card indicates the set it belongs to. There are four sets: Villagers and Animals (pink), Warriors (yellow), Superiors (blue) and NCDBFS Special Agents (green).
Villagers and Animals
Because your citizens need to eat, at the end of the game, the player with the least Villager and Animal cards loses 5 points. If there's a draw, all players with the least Villager and Animal cards lose 5 points.
Warriors
Warriors give you points according to the number of warriors of the same type that you have. Example: if you have 1 Eagle Warrior, you gain 3 points, 2 Eagle Warriors are worth 9 points, and if you have all three, you get 18 points!
Remember, the number of victory points is different for each type of Warrior!
The Superiors
A Priest brings 10 points at the end of the game if there is an Alien to sacrifice. To do this, place an Alien card under the Priest card. The sacrificed Alien does not bring any further points. If a Priest is alone, it's worth 0 victory points at the end of the game. Each Priest can only be paired with one Alien.
NCDBFS Special Agents
Top secret: The NCDBFS agency, which stands for "No Cans of Do, Alien Business", travels through time battling against all forms of alien invasion.
(Very) Special Agents: (Very) Special Agents' powers are permanent! If a player has a (Very) Special Agent not hidden under a Temple, each Aztec card played, from any set, can be hidden under a Temple card of the same set, if possible.
Archivists: An Archivist gives as many points as is written on the card. It also gives the number of bonus points written on the card if it's hidden in a Temple at the end of the game.