Game Objective

The objective of Ezra and Nehemiah is to be the player with the most Victory Points (VP) at the end of the game. Points are primarily gained by building the temple, rebuilding the city walls and gates, teaching the Torah to the returning exiles, and developing lands or lighting the altar fire. Players can also explore settlements outside the walls or keep the altar lit. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage players to focus on spiritual priorities. The game lasts for 3 rounds (weeks), with 6 workdays followed by a rest day (Sabbath). The game ends after the third Sabbath.

Setup

To set up the game, follow these steps:

• Main Board: Place the Main Board in the center of the table. Distribute the 6 Gate Cards next to the board, showing the side with a worker's sketch. For 1-2 players, flip the Muster Gate and East Gate and place them in their corresponding positions. Cover 6 central spaces with Neutral Wall Cards (for 1-2 players) or 3 spaces (for 3 players).
• Resources: Place 10 of each resource (Gold, Stone, Wood, Ashes) next to the board. Add coins and loaves as well. The remaining resources go into the Rubble Bag and are randomly distributed on the board spaces.
• Scrolls: Place 1 Gold Scroll on each space of the top row, 1 Wood Scroll on the two middle rows, and 1 Stone Scroll on the bottom row. The remaining Scrolls go into the box.
• Food: Create food piles to the right of the Scroll rows: 3 food on the 4VP row, 2 on the 3VP row, 1 on the 2VP row, and 0 on the 1VP row.
• Additional Components: Distribute the Development Tiles, Player Boards, Character Cards, and other components as described in the manual. For games with fewer players, adjust the positions of gates and resources.

Game Flow

The game is divided into 3 rounds (weeks), each with 7 days:

1. 6 Workdays: Players take turns clockwise, starting with the player holding the Shofar. Each player has 1 turn per day.
2. Sabbath (Rest Day): Players feed the workers, tuck 1-2 played cards, score the tucked cards, and resolve the Prophets' Judgment. The game ends after the third Sabbath.

On each player's turn, follow these steps:

1. Play 1 Character Card onto one of the 3 piles on the Player Board.
2. Perform 1 Main Action (Temple and Altar, Ruins, Walls and Gates, or Torah and Tent).
3. Draw 1 new Character Card from the deck, if possible.
4. Optionally, perform 1 Minor Action (Trade or flip a Development Tile).

Actions and How to Play

Players can perform main and minor actions. Below are the detailed actions:

Temple and Altar

Use Red Banners to place resources on the temple or altar:

• Place Levites: Each Levite requires food and can place 1 resource on the temple (1-5 Red Banners) or the altar (1-3 Banners).
• Resources on Temple: Place resources on the leftmost column of the chosen row. Stone or Wood grant 1VP, Gold grants 2VP. Ashes cannot be placed.
• Resources on Altar: Use Wood (3 Red Banners, 2 spaces on the Altar Track) or Ashes (1 Banner, 1 space).

Ruins, Walls and Gates

Use Gray Banners to clear ruins and build walls/gates:

• Clear Ruins: Each Ash requires 1 Banner, Stone 2, Wood 2, Gold 3. Collected resources can be used immediately.
• Build Walls/Gates: Walls require 4 Gray Banners and 3 Stone. Gates require 3 Banners, 1 Wood, and 2 Stone. After building, draw 3 Wall Cards and place them on the board.
• Connections: When a wall and gate connect, all players gain rewards (e.g., Stone, Coins).

Torah and Tent

Use Blue Banners to teach the Torah or move the Tent:

• Teach Torah: Place a Scribe on a Scroll Tile by paying resources. Each Scroll Tile has specific costs and grants abilities.
• Move the Tent: Use Blue Banners to move the Tent on the city map, collecting rewards as you cross spaces.

Minor Actions

Perform 1 action per turn:

• Trade: Use the trade from the played Character Card to convert coins to resources or vice versa.
• Flip Development Tile: Spend resources to flip the tile, gaining rewards and 2VP at the end of the game.

End Game and Scoring

The game ends after the third Sabbath. To score:

1. Convert all resources to coins: Gold = 3 coins, Stone/Wood/Food = 2, Ashes = 1.
2. Score for:
   • 1VP per 5 coins.
   • 2VP per flipped Development Tile.
   • 3VP if you are the leader of the Altar (rightmost position on the Altar Track).
   • VP on walls/gates and Scribes (based on the Scroll row).
3. Tiebreaker: The player with the rightmost position on the Altar Track wins.

Tips for Winning

1. Focus on the Altar Track: Moving to the rightmost position ensures more VP and workers at the end.
2. Use Levites Efficiently: Prioritize placing them on the temple or altar to maximize points.
3. Control Banners: Invest in actions that increase Red, Gray, or Blue Banners for critical actions.

Consult the manual for details on sections not covered here.