Samarkand: Isfahan

Grünspan-Spiele, Rio Grande Games · Board game · 1999
— Ludopedia 6.9 BGG 2–5 · best 4, 5 30 min Weight 2.3/5
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— rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy Samarkand and want more dynamism, this expansion is a gem! It cleverly tweaks the demand rules.

Highlights
  • Mobile demand around the board
  • More strategic interactivity
  • Easy to integrate into base game
  • Renews the Samarkand experience
Keep in mind
  • Requires base game Samarkand
  • Small rules change
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey everyone! If you're already into the vibe of Samarkand, check out this small expansion that gives the base game a boost: Samarkand: Isfahan. The main highlight here is that the demand for commodities is no longer fixed in one city. Now, demand can travel around the board, creating a more dynamic and unpredictable flow in the market. This means you'll need to be sharper with your routes and pay closer attention to what other players are targeting.

This expansion adds a new strategic layer without overly complicating the rules, preserving the essence of the original game. Get ready to adjust your 'pick-up and deliver' plans and your set collection strategies, because supply and demand are now more volatile. It's perfect for those who want to add an extra spice to their Samarkand games, introducing more interactivity and tactical decisions each round. If you enjoy economic games with a 'global market' feel and like seeing opponents' strategies change the game, this expansion is for you. It's a cool addition that revitalizes the experience, ensuring every game is a new and exciting challenge. Let's trade and conquer Samarkand with this new twist!

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Cities: Isfahan (Iran)
Publisher Grünspan-Spiele, Rio Grande Games
Designer Sid Sackson
Artist Doris Matthäus

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

215owners
21wishlist
8want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
Does this expansion change Samarkand's rules significantly?
Actually, the main change is how the demand for goods moves around the board. It's an alteration that adds more dynamism without making the game complicated.
Do I need the base game Samarkand to play with this expansion?
Absolutely! Isfahan is an expansion, so you need the original Samarkand game to use it.
How many players does this expansion support?
The expansion maintains the player count of the base game, which is for 2 to 5 players.
Does it significantly increase the playtime?
No, the expansion is designed to add strategy without substantially extending the playtime, which is already quick.
Is this an expensive or hard-to-find expansion?
Isfahan is known for being a small expansion, sometimes free or low-cost, focused on enhancing the existing experience.
Who would you recommend this expansion for?
We highly recommend it for existing Samarkand fans looking for a way to add more tactical depth and unpredictability to their games.
Which mechanics does this expansion focus on most?
It intensifies the 'Pick-up and Deliver' and 'Trading' mechanics by making demand more dynamic and influenceable by player actions.

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