# Medina (Second Edition)

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2014
- **BGG Rating**: 7.2
- **BGG Rank**: #1652
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 60 min
- **Weight**: 2.36 / 5
- **Designers**: Stefan Dorra
- **Artists**: Eduardo Bera, Hans-Georg Schneider
- **Publishers**: Gigamic, Stronghold Games, White Goblin Games
- **Categories**: Abstract Strategy, Arabian, City Building
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Grid Coverage, Square Grid, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you love clean strategy games with a rebuilding theme, Medina will hook you from the first play.Stunning wooden componentsSimple rules, deep strategyDouble‑sided board for 2‑4 playersInitial learning curve can feel steepSome games may end in tied scoresRECOMMENDED

## Description
In 1822, the once‑decayed medina at the foot of the Atlas Mountains is ready for rebirth. Architects and engineers race to raise grand palaces and repair the crumbling city walls. For 2‑4 players, each round you place two wooden pieces—unless you play a tea tile that lets you skip—either extending an existing building, starting a new one, or expanding city features such as the market or the walls that grow from the four corners of the board. The double‑sided board enables a two‑player mode, while the standard side supports up to four. By game end each player must claim one building of each of the four colors; every wooden piece in a claimed building scores one point. Owning the largest building of a given color nets an extra bonus, as does being the most recent player to connect a building to the walls. Additional bonuses reward palaces adjacent to wells. With almost 200 finely crafted wooden components, the game blends tile placement on a square grid, grid coverage, and area‑majority mechanics, delivering a tense yet accessible strategic experience. The second edition adds refined rules, previously unpublished components, and an online version on Board Game Arena. Medina plays about 60 minutes, has a light weight (2.3/5), and appeals to fans of abstract strategy, area control, and city‑building without relying on luck.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 4 players, with a special two‑player mode using the double‑sided board.

### How long does a game last?
Approximately 60 minutes, varying with player count.

### What is the game's complexity?
Light to moderate (weight 2.3/5); easy to learn but offers deep tactical play.

### What are the main components?
Nearly 200 finely crafted wooden pieces, a 13 × 18 square grid board, tea tiles, and bonus markers.

### Who is the game best suited for?
Fans of abstract strategy, area control, and city‑building who enjoy minimal luck.

### Is there a digital version?
Yes, Medina can be played online via Board Game Arena.

### What do the tea tiles do?
They let a player skip placing the usual two pieces for that turn.