# Priests of Ra

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2009
- **BGG Rating**: 6.8
- **BGG Rank**: #3302
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 60 min
- **Weight**: 2.24 / 5
- **Designers**: Reiner Knizia
- **Artists**: Franz Vohwinkel
- **Publishers**: ABACUSSPIELE, Rio Grande Games
- **Categories**: Ancient, Mythology
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Auction: Once Around, Constrained Bidding, End Game Bonuses, Hidden Victory Points, Once-Per-Game Abilities, Push Your Luck, Set Collection, Turn Order: Stat-Based

## Verdict
If you enjoy auctions with a 'push your luck' twist and love Egyptian themes, Priests of Ra might be your new favorite! It's a revamped version of a classic that offers a familiar challenge with strategic novelties.Tense and dynamic auctionsEngaging Egyptian themeIntriguing double-sided tilesGuaranteed replayabilityCan be a bit chaoticLuck can interfereModerate complexityRECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready for a 1500-year journey through Egyptian history with Priests of Ra! In this game, you take on the role of a priest of Ra, seeking to expand your power and glory. To achieve this, you'll influence farmers, warriors, merchants, and scribes, encouraging the construction of granaries, fortresses, markets, and libraries. And, of course, erect a monumental pyramid for the Sun God! This is a revamped version of the classic Ra, keeping most of the rules but with a twist: the scoring tiles up for auction are new, and some are double-sided. This means you'll have to decide which side to present for yourself – and for your opponents! The board features two tracks: one for time (the Sun of Ra) and another for auctions. Bags hold all the collectible tiles: Sun of Ra, priests, plagues, people, buildings, and pyramids. Auctions occur over three epochs and end when the time track is filled. Non-Sun tiles go onto the auction track, and the choice of side for double-sided tiles is yours. Auctions can be initiated by a player or happen automatically. Each player can make one open bid or pass. The winner takes the tiles and swaps their bidding tile. If everyone passes (perhaps to avoid plagues!), those tiles are discarded. At the end of each epoch, scoring happens: points for majority or variety of people and buildings, penalties for plagues (which can be mitigated with priests). People and priests are removed, but buildings, pyramids, and plagues carry over to the next epoch. At the end of the third epoch, pyramids score extra points for height and tiles used, and Ankh collections turn into points. Oh, and there's a final bonus/penalty based on your bidding tiles!

## FAQ
### Who is Priests of Ra for?
It's ideal for those who already enjoy auction and set collection games, especially if they like the Egyptian theme and don't mind a bit of 'push your luck'. Players who enjoy the classic Ra will also feel right at home.

### How long does a game take?
Games are quite quick, usually around 60 minutes, which is great for those who don't want to commit to a very long game.

### Are the rules difficult to learn?
The basic rules are very similar to the original Ra, so those familiar with the game will pick it up quickly. For newcomers, the learning curve is moderate, but it won't prevent you from playing within an hour.

### How many players have the most fun?
The game works well with 2 to 5 players. With more people, the auctions become more contested and chaotic, which can be a lot of fun!

### Are the components good quality?
Yes, the components include a functional board, various tiles, and markers that help visualize the game's progress and players' collections.

### What do the double-sided tiles change in the game?
They add an extra layer of strategy. When putting a double-sided tile up for auction, you decide which side will be visible to everyone, which can benefit you or unexpectedly hinder your opponents.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.65 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=151458&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 23.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5044703&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 92.62 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=602788&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
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