Game Objective

In Azul: Crystal Mosaic, each player tries to accumulate the highest number of points at the end of the game. The game ends as soon as, in any round, at least one player completes a horizontal row of 5 consecutive tiles on their wall. The winner is the player who, after the final scoring, has the most points. In the event of a tie, the player with the most complete horizontal rows wins; if there is still a tie, the players share the victory.

Setup

1. Swap all the player boards from the base game (A) with the player boards included in this expansion (B) and distribute one to each player.
2. Players choose which side of the board (1 or 2) they will use and place their boards in front of them with that side facing up.
3. Each player receives a cover (C) and places it over their player board (D), aligning it perfectly.
4. All other assembly steps are identical to the base game.

Game Flow

The game flow follows exactly the same as in the base game. Refer to the base game manual for details on the turn, round, and phase structure. The only difference is that the game ends when a player completes a horizontal row of 5 consecutive tiles.

Actions and How to Play

The How to Play rules are identical to those of the base game. When you take a tile from a model row, you may place it in any free space on the corresponding horizontal row on your wall. Tiles of the same color may appear only once in each horizontal and vertical row of the wall.

What changes in this expansion are the values of the floor row spaces and the characteristics of each side of the board:

• Side 1 – Some spaces already have a printed color and a multiplier (x2). You may only place tiles of the corresponding color in those spaces. When placing a tile, calculate the score normally (according to the base game rules) and then double the result.
• Side 2 – Some spaces already have a printed color, and only tiles of the corresponding color can be placed there. The extra points differ from those in the base game:
  • +3 points for each horizontal row of 5 consecutive tiles on your wall.
  • +10 points for each vertical row of 5 consecutive tiles on your wall.
  • +12 points for each color for which all 5 tiles have been placed on your wall.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends as soon as, in any round, at least one player completes a horizontal row of 5 consecutive tiles on their wall. After the final round, each player counts their points:

1. Calculate the score for each tile placed, applying the multipliers (x2) when necessary.
2. Add the extra points according to the side of the board being used (as listed above).
3. Sum all the points earned.

The player with the highest total score wins. In the event of a tie, the player with the most complete horizontal rows wins; if there is still a tie, the players share the victory.

Tips for Winning

• Pay attention to the (x2) multiplier spaces on Side 1; placing a tile in those spaces can quickly double your score.
• On Side 2, focus on completing horizontal and vertical rows of 5 tiles, as they grant significant bonuses (3 and 10 points, respectively).
• Try to complete all 5 tiles of a color on your wall to earn the 12-point bonus; this can swing the game in your favor.