Game Objective: Conquer the Skies of Santorini!

In Santorini, you and your opponent are divine architects, competing to build the most beautiful and imposing towers on the Greek island. But a god does not live by beauty alone! The main objective is to be the first to move one of your Workers to the top of a Level 3 building. Simple, right? But with each turn, the island changes, and your opponents will do everything to block your path or, who knows, push you to victory in an unexpected way!

Preparation (Setup): Assembling Your Paradise Island

Setting up Santorini is quick and gets you straight into the action. Follow these steps to start your game:

1. First, take the Island board and place it on the longer side of the Cliff pedestal. The long and short tabs will help you fit everything perfectly.
2. Each player chooses a set of two matching colored Workers.
3. The youngest player will be the Starting Player. They begin by placing their two Workers on any two unoccupied spaces on the board.
4. Then, the other player places their two Workers on any other unoccupied spaces.
5. For the first few games, set aside the God Power cards. They will not be used in the Beginner Game. Save them for when you're an expert and want to add more complexity and special abilities!

For 3 or 4 players (with God Powers):

• For games with 3 or 4 players, God Power cards are mandatory. Make sure the chosen cards are compatible with the number of players (check the icons on the cards).
• The Challenger (the most "god-like" player) chooses a number of God Powers equal to the number of players and explains them.
• Clockwise, each player chooses a God Power and places it in their area. The Challenger takes the last one.
• The Challenger chooses the Starting Player. The Starting Player places their 2 Workers. Clockwise, the other players place theirs.
• In 3-player games, if you lose, your Workers, tokens, and God Power cards are removed from the game. The last remaining player wins.
• In 4-player games, play in teams of two. Teams alternate turns. Each player has their own God Power card, but cannot use their teammate's power. If one of the pair wins, the team wins. If one of the pair loses, the team loses.

The Game Turn: Move and Build, the Order of the Gods!

Players take turns, starting with the Starting Player. On your turn, you must follow two mandatory phases, in this order:

1. Move a Worker:
   • Select one of your two Workers.
   • Move it to one of the eight neighboring spaces (including diagonals).
   • Your Worker can move up a maximum of one level, down any number of lower levels, or move across the same level.
   • You can only move to an unoccupied space (which does not contain another Worker or a Dome).
   • Important: You must move a Worker. If you cannot, you lose the game!
2. Build a Block or Dome:
   • With the same Worker you just moved, build a block or a dome on an unoccupied neighboring space.
   • You can build a level of any height, but you must use the correct block for the level being built (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3).
   • A Dome can only be built on top of Level 3, unless a God Power states otherwise.
   • A Complete Tower consists of exactly three blocks and one dome.
   • Important: You must build. If you cannot, you lose the game!

Using God Powers (for advanced games):

• God Power cards provide unique abilities that alter movement or building rules.
• Normal rules still apply, unless the God Power specifies a change.
• You must obey all restrictions ("cannot" or "must") of your God Power, or you lose the game.
• A Dome is not a block. If a power affects "blocks", it does not affect "domes".
• A "forced" Worker is not considered "moved". If you are forced to Level 3, you do not win.
• God Powers are activated at specific moments of the turn, indicated in the card description (e.g., "Your move", "Your build", "Start of your turn", "Opponent's turn").
• Some God Powers have additional win conditions.

End of Game and Scoring: The Glory of the Gods!

Victory in Santorini is instant and glorious! You win immediately if:

• One of your Workers moves to the top of a Level 3 during your turn.
• A God Power you possess specifies an additional win condition and you fulfill it.

Remember: if you cannot make a move or a build on your turn, you lose the game!

Tips for Winning: Divine Strategies for Beginners

1. Focus on Level 3: The main win condition is to reach the top of Level 3. Always look for opportunities to build Level 3 towers for your Workers or to block your opponent's access to theirs.
2. Block and Surround: It's not just about building for yourself, but also about hindering your opponent's progress. Use your Workers to occupy strategic spaces or build domes over your opponent's Level 3 towers to prevent them from climbing. Remember that a dome can only be built on top of Level 3 (unless a god power says otherwise), so use it to "close off" enemy towers!
3. Maintain Flexibility: Having two Workers means you have options. Don't get stuck on a single plan. If one path is blocked, use your other Worker to explore a new opportunity or to defend an important position. The ability to descend as many levels as you want also allows for quick maneuvers to escape tricky situations or to reach a new building spot.