7.5
rating
Ludopedia
7.3
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Monasterium is a treat for those who enjoy strategic euros with dice and a well-integrated medieval theme. If you like planning every step, you'll feel right at home!
Highlights
- Innovative dice mechanic
- Deep strategy
- Immersive medieval theme
- High replayability
- Adaptable game board
Keep in mind
- Can be a bit complex
- Initial learning curve
- Indirect interaction
Rules manual not indexed yet
Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
What you do in a play session
In Monasterium, you are the dean of a cathedral school in the early Middle Ages, a period of great ecclesiastical influence. Your goal is to guide novices through five newly founded monasteries in a picturesque valley, helping them settle in and, in doing so, elevating the reputation of your school. The game unfolds over a three-year novitiate period, where every decision counts towards your fame and glory.
Each round, you roll colored dice to determine the available actions. From there, the open dice drafting mechanic comes into play, allowing you to strategically choose which dice to use. These dice are essential for allocating your novices to different areas of the monasteries: in the main buildings, the chapel, or the cloister. Each location offers different benefits and paths to victory.
But a good dean doesn't just rely on allocation! You can also seek the intercession of influential figures and other monks to boost your plans. Additionally, there are special missions from each monastery that, when completed, grant valuable points. And to crown your reputation, you can contribute to the construction of beautiful stained-glass windows in your cathedral, a true spectacle for the eyes and for the final score.
Monasterium is a strategy game that challenges players with an innovative dice system and a double-sided board, perfectly adapting for 2 players on one side and for 3-4 players on the other. Prepare for a brainy showdown where resource management, positioning, and anticipating opponents' moves are the key to success.
Each round, you roll colored dice to determine the available actions. From there, the open dice drafting mechanic comes into play, allowing you to strategically choose which dice to use. These dice are essential for allocating your novices to different areas of the monasteries: in the main buildings, the chapel, or the cloister. Each location offers different benefits and paths to victory.
But a good dean doesn't just rely on allocation! You can also seek the intercession of influential figures and other monks to boost your plans. Additionally, there are special missions from each monastery that, when completed, grant valuable points. And to crown your reputation, you can contribute to the construction of beautiful stained-glass windows in your cathedral, a true spectacle for the eyes and for the final score.
Monasterium is a strategy game that challenges players with an innovative dice system and a double-sided board, perfectly adapting for 2 players on one side and for 3-4 players on the other. Prepare for a brainy showdown where resource management, positioning, and anticipating opponents' moves are the key to success.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
BEST
4
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Loading playlist...
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Alert enabled!
Join the BoardGamesBot deals group
Get the best board game deals every day — without message spam.
Join the WhatsApp groupGame details
Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
dlp games, Arrakis Games, Emerald Games, Igroteka, Matagot, Meeple House
Designer
Arve D. Fühler
Artist
Dennis Lohausen
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime for Monasterium?
A game of Monasterium typically lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the rules. It's a game that requires time to think through your moves.
How many players can play Monasterium?
Monasterium can be played by 2 to 4 players. The game board has two sides, one optimized for two-player games and another for 3-4, ensuring a balanced experience in any configuration.
What is the complexity level of Monasterium?
With a BGG weight of 3.23/5, Monasterium is considered a medium-heavy complexity game. It offers plenty of strategic depth, but the rules are intuitive enough to be learned over a few plays.
What are the main components of the game?
The game includes a double-sided board, various colored dice, novice pawns, influence markers, stained-glass window pieces, and other components representing the medieval and religious elements of the game. The quality is quite good!
Is Monasterium a game for board game beginners?
While not the simplest game to start with, players with some experience in euros or who enjoy strategic challenges can adapt well. For absolute beginners, it might feel a bit dense at first, but the strategic reward is worth it.
What is the ultimate goal in Monasterium?
The goal is to accumulate the most fame and glory by the end of the three-year novitiate, which is achieved by sending novices to monasteries, completing special missions, and building stained-glass windows in your cathedral. The player with the most points wins!
Is there much player interaction?
Interaction is primarily indirect, through dice drafting and occupying action spaces. You'll always be keeping an eye on what your opponents need and trying to anticipate their moves to optimize your own.
Other Games You'll Like
Based on mechanics and theme