Game Objective

In Castle Builder, you compete with other barons to build the largest castle in the kingdom. The goal is to position pieces to form a castle with windows, roofs, soldiers, and other elements. As you build new pieces, your Baron moves around the board, allowing you to collect bonuses and coins. The first player to collect 7 coins wins the game.

Setup

1. Shuffle all the pieces to form the Tile Pile (piece pile) face down.
2. Shuffle all the coins to form the Coin Pile (coin pile) face down.
3. Place the Market Board and assemble the castle (folding the side towers, securing the wall on the pins, and fitting the castle).
4. Add 3 random pieces face up to the market, and also 3 random coins with the effect side up.
5. Each player receives a Foundation, a Baron, and a Tile Holder. All players draw 3 random pieces and place them on their holder.
6. Choose the starting player. Each player places their Baron in their corresponding space on the Market Board path (numbers 1-4). Note: barons move clockwise, so the starting player will begin in the last position.

Game Flow

Players take turns in clockwise order, starting with the first player. The game continues until a player reaches 7 coins.

On your turn, you have only two action options: Draw 2 tiles or Build a tile.

Actions and How to Play

Draw 2 tiles (Buy 2 pieces)

Draw 2 random pieces from the Tile Pile and place them in your Tile Holder. You cannot buy pieces from the market with this action.

Build a tile (Build a piece)

1. Select 1 piece from your Tile Holder or from the Market.
2. Build the piece onto your castle following the placement rules.
3. Move your Baron along the board path to earn coins and other bonuses.

Placement Rules

• Air and Stone Patterns: All pieces must match the top and bottom patterns. You cannot place stone directly over air (or empty space), nor air directly over stone.
• Number Sum: When placing a piece, its number must equal the sum of the numbers of the pieces it is placed upon.
  • Some pieces have 2 numbers: the lower number must match when placing the piece, while the upper number counts for future constructions on top of it.
  • Any number can be built on the Foundation.
  • The door of the Foundation is not considered part of the foundation, but counts as a value-2 piece on it.
• Special Pieces:
  • The Princess can be built anywhere, ignoring the numbers below (as long as the air/stone pattern is respected).
  • Pieces with the [Level Symbol] can only be placed on a floor where you have already built other pieces; you cannot start a new floor with them.

Additional Mechanics

Pay to change numbers: When building, you can adjust a piece's number by 1 step (up or down) by discarding 1 piece from your Tile Holder. After building, the piece restores its printed value.

Moving the Baron: After building, move your Baron based on the height of the piece and rubies:

• First level: No steps (rubies do not count).
• Second level: 2 steps + 1 step per ruby.
• Third level: 3 steps + 1 step per ruby.
• Fourth level: 4 steps + 1 step per ruby (and so on).

When moving, count all areas (including occupied ones). Since each area can hold only one Baron, if the last step lands on an occupied area, you must "slide" to the next empty area.

• If you stop on an area with the [Movement Symbol], move your Baron an additional 1 step.
• If you stop on an area with the [Piece Symbol], take a piece from the Tile Pile.
• If you reach or pass a Coin, select one of the three market coins, resolve its effect, and keep it face up.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends immediately when a player collects 7 coins. That player is the winner, even if the other players have not played the same number of turns.

Coin Effects

When you take a coin, resolve its effect immediately (even if it does not benefit you):

• Most Windows: The player with the most windows (minimum 1) gains 2 pieces.
• Most roofs: The player with the most red roofs (minimum 1) gains 2 pieces.
• Bitter Lady: Buy and randomly discard 1 piece from each opponent's holder.
• Mill: Discard the market pieces, refill it, and choose 1 of the new pieces for your holder.
• Crumble: Discard 1 piece from your castle that has nothing on top of it (does not move the Baron).
• Highest Tower: The player with the tallest castle (most levels) gains 2 pieces.
• Most persons: The player with the most people (minimum 1) gains 2 pieces.
• Monk: The player with the fewest coins gains 3 pieces.
• Thief: Randomly take 1 piece from an opponent's holder.
• Catapult: Discard 1 piece from an opponent's castle that has nothing on top of it (the opponent does not move the Baron).
• Ruby: Move your Baron an extra step.

Tips for Winning

• Holder Management: Remember that the Tile Holder has a maximum limit of 7 pieces; if you draw more, you must discard immediately.
• Strategic Discarding: Use the discard action to adjust numbers and build at higher levels, which gives you more steps for your Baron and more chances to grab coins.
• Leverage Rubies: Prioritize building pieces with rubies at higher levels to maximize your movement on the Market Board.