# Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2025 - **BGG Rating**: 7.9 - **BGG Rank**: #1394 - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 3) - **Duration**: 60-120 min - **Weight**: 3.61 / 5 - **Designers**: Abraham Sanchez Hermida, Paloma J. Pascual - **Artists**: Amelia Sales, Jesús Fuentes - **Publishers**: Perro Loko Games, Bohemian Games, Devir, DiceTree Games, Engames, Frost Bite Games, Frosted Games, GaGa Games, Galakta, Tesla Games, Vagabund, WindFans Games - **Categories**: Medieval, Renaissance - **Mechanics**: Action Retrieval, End Game Bonuses, Rondel, Set Collection, Tech Trees / Tech Tracks, Variable Set-up, Worker Placement ## Verdict If you enjoy deep strategy euros with a rich historical theme, Orloj is a sure bet for your game nights.Rondel and worker placementEngaging historical themeTech tree progressionHigh replayabilityComplex strategic decisionsCan be long for someInitial learning curveRequires long-term planningHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Straight from the heart of Prague's Old Town comes a gaming experience that transports you to the medieval era: Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock. Here, you're not just a spectator, but a master builder tasked with one of the grandest challenges of the time: completing the legendary calendar of the Orloj, the intricate astronomical clock that has charmed the city for centuries. Prepare for a challenge that demands precision, balance, and a deep understanding of the cosmos. In this 1 to 4 player game, with sessions lasting between 60 and 120 minutes, every decision counts. Each turn, you'll allocate your workers on the clock's dial, a rondel mechanic that offers strategic choices on which actions to perform and which resources to collect. Your main goal is to assemble gears, spheres, and zodiac signs, bringing you closer to the completion of this masterpiece that will transcend generations. But that's not all! You'll also have the chance to hire assistants, construct the apostles' carillon – an iconic element of the Orloj – and enhance your skills across three distinct knowledge tracks, which function like tech trees, unlocking new possibilities and efficiencies. The game continues until the Orloj calendar is complete. In the end, the master builder with the most harmony points will be crowned the winner. With variable setup each game, Orloj ensures high replayability, inviting you to explore different strategies and master the secrets of building this historical monument. A true gem for those who appreciate strategic games with rich themes and well-integrated mechanics. ## How to Play Goal of the Game In Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock, players take on the role of artisans competing to contribute to the construction of the famous Prague astronomical clock. The theme revolves around the creation of the zodiac signs, calendar months, and the figures of the Apostles that adorn this medieval masterpiece. The objective is to score Victory Points (VPs) by building discs on the calendar, advancing on the Mastery Tracks, completing public objectives, and efficiently managing resources and workers. The game ends when the last calendar disc is built or after the fourth Rooster's Crow, with the player with the highest score winning. Setup General Setup Assemble the Main Board and position the dials (Orloj Clock Dial and Astronomical Dial) with the Rotation Axes. Prepare the Apostles' Walk with the gears, positioning Apostle 1 (James) and 2 (Peter) at the bottom. Place the Month Discs and Zodiac in the bag and distribute them randomly on the calendar, some face up (available) and others face down (blocked). Organize the Mastery Stained Glass, Scrolls, and Public Objectives according to the number of players. Prepare the resources (Gold, Ink, Wood, Iron, and Coins) in a central supply. Individual Setup Each player receives an Individual Board, Warehouse, Forge, Workers, Deviation Markers, and a combination of a Hammer Card + Starting Resources. Position the cubes on the Production Tracks and Forge, and place the Scoring Marker on space 10. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. Gameplay Flow The game is divided into rounds, with players acting in turns clockwise. On each turn, the active player chooses between: Activate the Clock Mechanism: Adjust the dials and perform actions in the indicated sections. Pass: Recover workers, activate the Moon, and move the Golden Rooster. The Rooster's Crow occurs when the marker advances to the end of the track, triggering deviation corrections and scoring penalties. Actions and How to Play Main Actions Produce Resources: Gain resources according to your production track. Gain an Apostle: Take an Apostle from the Apostles' Walk and turn the gears. Build: Pay resources to place discs on the calendar, scoring VPs for adjacencies and bonuses. Expand Workshop: Buy cards to unlock workers and gain benefits. Extra Actions Allocate Apostles/Assistants: Use them on your player board or cards to activate abilities. Use Scrolls: Activate immediate or end-game effects. Claim Objectives: Fulfill the conditions of the Public Objective Stained Glass to gain VPs. Consult the manual for details regarding this section. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when: The last calendar disc is built OR The fourth Rooster's Crow occurs. Final scoring considers: Immediate VPs (constructions, public objectives). End-game VPs (Mastery Stained Glass, Assistants, remaining Gold). Penalties for uncorrected deviations. Tips for Winning Focus on 2 Mastery Tracks: Avoid spreading yourself across all three to optimize your progress. Prioritize Public Objectives: Being the first to complete them guarantees valuable bonuses. Use the Moon to correct deviations: Take advantage of the pass action to activate the Moon and reduce penalties. ## FAQ ### What is the average playtime for Orloj? A game of Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock typically lasts between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the rules. ### How many players can play? The game is designed for 1 to 4 players, offering a good experience for those seeking a solo challenge as well as for small groups. ### What is the complexity level of the game? Orloj is considered a medium to high complexity game (BGG weight of 3.61/5), ideal for players who enjoy strategic euros with various interconnected mechanics, such as worker placement and rondel. ### Are the components of good quality? Based on the theme and the eurogame proposal, Orloj is expected to feature high-quality components, including a detailed board, custom wooden or plastic pieces, and illustrated cards, but specific details may vary until release. ### Does the game have high replayability? Yes! Thanks to the variable setup mechanic, each game of Orloj offers a different scenario, ensuring you'll have to adapt your strategies and explore new approaches every time you play. ### Is this a game for beginners? Due to its complexity and strategic depth, Orloj is more recommended for players with some experience in board games, or for beginners who are not intimidated by a slightly steeper learning curve. ### What is the main objective of the game? Your objective is to be the master builder who accumulates the most harmony points by completing the Orloj calendar, which involves managing resources, activating actions on the rondel, and developing your skills on the knowledge tracks. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **Rejoga**: R$ 445,00 (/partner/go.php?p=rejoga&g=1868&u=https%3A%2F%2Frejoga.com.br%2Fanuncio%2F48c74058-e9ae-407b-8ec1-2492c749df3f%3Forigem%3Dboardgamesbot) - **Amazon**: R$ 592,63 (https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0GQVDCBCN?tag=bgbot26-20) - **Facil Shopping**: R$ 463,14 (https://www.facilshopping.com.br/produtos/pre-venda-jogo-orlj-ludofun-11wrt/?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Ludostation**: R$ 463,48 (https://ludostation.com.br/produtos/orloj-sv69c/?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Brechó Lúdico**: R$ 466,27 (https://brecholudico.com.br/produto/orloj/?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Javali Jogos**: R$ 474,90 (https://www.javalijogos.com.br/jogo-orloj-kit-promocional?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **Caixinha Boardgames**: R$ 478,02 (https://www.caixinhaboardgames.com.br/produtos/orloj-o-relogio-astronomico-de-praga/?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/orloj-the-prague-astronomical-clock ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 55.97 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6819202&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 55.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6806789&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 55.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6821943&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 55.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7068455&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 55.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6999145&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 57.69 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7118671&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 59.74 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6722767&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 60.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7088533&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 61.17 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6888970&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 65.69 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6375206&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/104014/orloj-the-prague-astronomical-clock?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com