# Pax Porfiriana: Ultimate Edition ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2026 - **BGG Rating**: 8.1 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-6 - **Duration**: 45-120 min - **Weight**: — - **Designers**: Matt Eklund, Phil Eklund - **Artists**: Madeleine Fjäll - **Publishers**: Ion Game Design, Galakta - **Categories**: Card Game, Civil War, Economic, Political, Post-Napoleonic - **Mechanics**: Action Points, Finale Ending, Hand Management, Income, Market, Open Drafting, Simulation, Take That, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict If you enjoy strategy games with a dense historical theme and lots of interaction, Pax Porfiriana Ultimate Edition is for you! It's a game that challenges you to build an empire while dealing with political instability and opponent's moves.Immersive historical themeMultiple victory pathsIntense player interactionHigh-quality componentsSteep learning curveCan be chaoticRequires strategic planningFOR GENRE FANS ## Description Get ready to relive the turbulent pre-revolutionary era of Mexico with Pax Porfiriana: Ultimate Edition! In this game, you're not just a player, but a tycoon trying to build a business empire amidst the chaos. Think ranches, mines, railroads, banks, and of course, a few troops to keep things under control. Each turn, you have three actions to spend: you can buy new cards from the market, speculate on them, expand your businesses with land and troops, or even play a 'bandido' card to disrupt your opponent's game plan. Keep an eye on the market, as it constantly changes and can bring good opportunities or leave you high and dry. The game's economy fluctuates with 'Depression' and 'Boom' phases, directly affecting your income and costs. The government, represented by 'Headline' cards, can change at any moment, impacting resource production and paving the way for victory. The ultimate goal? Topple dictator Porfirio Díaz, whether by coup, succession, revolution, or even annexation by the US. If he holds on, whoever has the most gold in their pocket at the end of the game claims the glory. The Ultimate Edition introduces a new set of cards that extends the narrative and gameplay, diving even deeper into the aftermath of the original events, plus other cards that add more variety and revisit old ideas. It's a dense game with plenty of player interaction and a rich historical theme, ideal for those who enjoy strategy with a touch of chaos and intrigue. ## How to Play 1. Game Objective You assume the role of a wealthy landowner, called a Hacendado, in the border regions between the United States and Mexico during the period of Pax Porfiriana, the reign of dictator Porfirio Díaz, before the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Your goal is to accumulate supporters and justifications, called Prestige Points, to Topple Díaz and seize power during one of the periodic succession threats. 2. Setup Consult the manual for details on this section. 3. Game Flow The game progresses through player turns. During your turn, you may perform up to 3 Actions (or 2 Actions if you are Jailed). Some activities, such as buying a second card in the Market, require 2 Actions. Certain partners grant an Extra Action of a specific type. The Market consists of 12 cards arranged in two rows of 6. Cards are acquired or played through a Market Purchase. The cost depends on the column: the rightmost column costs 16 gold, while the leftmost column is free. In the restore market phase, empty spaces are filled and new cards are drawn from the Play Deck. 4. Actions and How to Play The available Actions include: Market Purchase: Acquire or play cards from the Market. Redeploy: Move a troop from one enterprise to another within your Jurisdiction, or to your face-up Hacendado (if it is of the same Faction Color). Upgrade Connection Action: Pay the indicated cost to place a Connection Cube on an enterprise, improving its connection (from foot to mule or train, or from mule to train). Police Action: Used to remove Unrest or get out of jail (Jailed). Sell Card Action: Sell a card to gain gold based on the Economy value of the current Regime. Speculation Action: Move or remove a Speculation Cube in any column of the Market, or move an income, connection, or prestige cube from one valid location to another if you are at the cube limit. There are several types of cards, such as Headlines (cards played immediately with two orientations), Public Cards (partners purchased directly from the edge of the board), and Troop cards that possess Firepower to remove Unrest or defeat enemy troops. 5. End of Game and Scoring The game ends via a Topple. When a Topple card is played, an attempt to overthrow Díaz occurs. There are four types of Topple, depending on the current Regime: Díaz Retirement: During Pax Porfiriana, the winner is the one with more Loyalty Points than the Tripartite. U.S. Annexation: During U.S. Intervention, the winner is the one with more Outrage Points than the Tripartite. Coup D’état: During Martial Law, the winner is the one with more Command Points than the Tripartite. Free Election: During Anarchy, the winner is the one with more Revolution Points than the Tripartite. The Tripartite consists of Díaz and the two opponents with the lowest number of the specified Prestige Point. If no one manages to topple Díaz by the fourth Topple attempt, a Gold Victory occurs: the player with the most gold wins. In the event of a tie in gold, the player with the highest income per turn wins. 6. Tips for Winning Unrest Management: Remember that enterprises with Unrest have their income, connection, and prestige cubes deactivated. Use the Police Action or the Redeploy troop action to remove Unrest and keep your economy running. Strategic Use of Grudges: Cards in your Grudge Pile (obtained as Victim-Awarded) keep your Prestige Points active. Accumulating these cards can be an effective way to increase your prestige for a future Topple. ## FAQ ### What is the average playtime for 6 players? Playtime can vary significantly, but expect around 90 to 120 minutes for 6 players, especially during initial playthroughs. ### Is this game suitable for board game beginners? Pax Porfiriana is a complex game with many rules and interactions. We recommend it for players who already have some experience with denser strategy games. ### Is there a solo mode available? Yes, the Pax series generally includes rules for a solo mode, allowing you to experience the game's story and challenges on your own. ### What does the 'Ultimate Edition' add compared to previous versions? The Ultimate Edition includes a new set of cards that expands the game into the post-revolutionary period, along with other improvements and revisited cards for more variety. ### How does player interaction work? Interaction is quite high. You can directly affect opponents with 'Take That' cards, compete for resources in the market, and influence the political landscape. ### Is the historical theme well represented? Yes, the game delves into the turbulent period of pre-revolutionary Mexico, with mechanics that simulate the economic and political conflicts of the era. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 93.48 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6722889&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/81235/pax-porfiriana-ultimate-edition?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com