Orléans

dlp games, Arclight Games, Arrakis Games · Board game · 2014
2–5 · best 4 90 min Weight 3.0/5
8.6 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 39.99
8.6 rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you're a fan of strategic worker placement with a unique twist, Orléans is a must-try! Its innovative bag-building mechanic offers a fresh take on resource management and engine building.

Highlights
  • Engaging bag-building worker placement system
  • Satisfying engine building and progression
  • Diverse worker types offer strategic depth
  • Multiple paths to victory
Keep in mind
  • Initial learning curve for new players
  • Can feel a bit solitary
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
Access Rules Guide

About the game

What you do in a play session

In Orléans, you're transported to medieval France, where your goal is to build influence and supremacy. To achieve this, you'll recruit a diverse team of followers – such as farmers, merchants, knights, and monks – and put them to work. The game's core mechanic is its 'bag-building' system, where you purchase and randomly draw worker tokens to activate your actions. Each type of follower has a specific function: farmers and boatmen generate resources and money, which are essential for progress. Knights expand your reach on the map and protect your trade routes, while craftsmen are crucial for building trading stations and tools that optimize your operations. Scholars, in turn, boost your scientific progress, and traders open up new locations for you to explore. Oh, and don't underestimate the power of monks! They are an important asset for mitigating the unpredictable events that arise each round, providing welcome stability to your strategy. The game offers immense freedom, with multiple paths to victory, whether you focus on trade, construction, science, or a clever combination of all these elements. The challenge lies precisely in this: orchestrating your followers and actions in the best possible way to maximize your victory points and become the most influential in the region. It's a game that makes you think about every token draw and every worker placement, always wanting to do more than is possible in a single turn.

Expansions

Published additional content

8 items

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

12 videos

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — Orléans English · PDF
Download Manual

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Cities: Orléans (France) Components: Meeples Components: Map (Continental / National scale) Country: France Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Crowdfunding: Wspieram Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Game: Orléans Misc: Made by Panda Players: Games with expansions that add solo play Religious: Monks/Abbots & Monasteries/Abbeys
Publisher dlp games, Arclight Games, Arrakis Games, Baldar, BGA Plus, Capstone Games
Designer Reiner Stockhausen
Artist Klemens Franz

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

43,622owners
9,577wishlist
1,336want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play Orléans?
Orléans accommodates 2 to 5 players, making it versatile for various groups of friends or family.
What is the average playtime for Orléans?
A game of Orléans typically lasts between 90 and 90 minutes, so set aside a good amount of time to enjoy your medieval strategy.
What is the complexity level of Orléans?
With a BGG weight of 3.01/5, Orléans is considered a medium-heavy complexity game. It requires planning and strategic decisions but is accessible to players with some board game experience.
What are the main components of the game?
The game includes a main board, individual player boards, various worker tokens (meeples), coins, goods markers, building pieces, and, of course, the bags for 'bag-building'.
Who is Orléans best suited for?
Orléans is perfect for anyone who loves eurogames with a focus on strategy, resource management, and an innovative 'bag-building' system. If you enjoy games that offer many paths to victory and require good planning, you'll have a blast!
Is there much player interaction?
Interaction in Orléans is primarily indirect. You compete for spaces on the map, for contracts, and for resources, but there is no direct combat. The 'Kill Steal' mechanic adds a layer of competition for objectives.
Does Orléans have expansions?
Yes, Orléans has several expansions that add new modules, mechanics, and even game modes, such as solo and cooperative, for those who want to further expand the experience.

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