# Tao Long: The Way of the Dragon – 4 Players Expansion

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 6.9
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 10-30 min
- **Weight**: 3.00 / 5
- **Designers**: Dox Lucchin, Pedro Latro
- **Artists**: Dox Lucchin
- **Publishers**: ThunderGryph Games
- **Categories**: Abstract Strategy, Expansion for Base-game
- **Mechanics**: Grid Movement, Modular Board, Point to Point Movement

## Verdict
Perfect for those who want to turn the original duel into a tactical team battle. The highlight is the new cooperative dynamic.Enables 4-player matchesShared resources encourage cooperationKeeps the fast game paceInteresting synergy between partnersRequires the base gameBoard space becomes more contestedRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever had that game you love, but you're always one person short of a full table? The 4 Players Expansion for Tao Long: The Way of the Dragon solves exactly that. If you're already familiar with the zen and strategic flow of the base game, you know that spatial control and element management are the heart of the experience. Now, things get even more interesting because this expansion doesn't just add more people; it introduces a team-based mode.

In this new mode, you and your partner form a team. The clever twist here is the shared resource management: fire and water tokens are no longer individual but are shared by the team. This means communication and coordination become essential. You're no longer just playing to beat an opponent, but synchronizing your moves with your ally to dominate the board. It's the kind of addition that transforms a cerebral duel into a tactical coordination battle.

Since we're dealing with an abstract strategy game, the complexity remains focused on positioning and anticipating the opponent's moves. With the modular board providing variety, having four players makes the space feel tighter and decisions carry more weight. If you enjoy fast-paced games (10 to 30-minute sessions) that still require thinking several steps ahead, this expansion is the perfect upgrade. It maintains the minimalist and elegant essence of the original while injecting a social and strategic layer that makes matches much more dynamic. It's the missing piece to turn your game nights into true elemental clan disputes.

## How to Play
Goal of the Game
This is an expansion for 2v2 matches. The goal is for both dragons of the same color to work together to eliminate all segments of the opposing duo.

Setup
To prepare the match, follow these steps:

    Position the dragons on the board according to the base game rules.
    Position the new dragons from the expansion on the board, mirrored horizontally in relation to their respective partners.
    Each pair of players should sit on their respective sides of the board.
    For matches in The Torus: relocate the stones indicating the boundaries one extra space, diagonally, toward the corners.
    For matches in The Valley: relocate the green portals one extra space, diagonally, toward the center.


Gameplay Flow
Turns alternate between the duos as indicated in the base game rules. In Monk mode, when a Focus occurs, both dragons of the respective color must perform the action, starting with the dragon whose turn is closest (counting from the active player).

Actions and How to Play
Consult the manual for details regarding this section.

Duo and Combat Rules

    Resource Sharing: All water stones and fire stones are shared between the dragons of a duo. Whenever a duo's water stones run out, both dragons lose a segment.
    Friendly Fire: A dragon never deals damage to its own duo.
    Ranged Attacks: If both dragons of a duo are within range of a ranged attack, sum the highest values printed on the meter on each dragon, adding the elemental bonus only once. 
    Note: Since every piece is an impassable obstacle for range, a dragon is not hit if it is protected behind another.


End of Game and Scoring
The game ends when all segments of the opposing duo have been eliminated.

Tips for Winning

    Coordination: The dynamics of 4-player matches require more coordination; beginner players may find the results chaotic, so it is recommended to know the base game before using this expansion.
    Resource Management: Remember that water stones are shared; if they run out, both dragons of the duo lose a segment.

## FAQ
### Can I play this expansion without the base game?
No, it's a supplement. You need the Tao Long base game for the board and core rules.

### Does the game take much longer with 4 players?
Not really. Matches remain fast, usually lasting between 10 and 30 minutes.

### How does the 'team' aspect work?
You and your partner share the fire and water tokens, meaning you must coordinate your moves to optimize resource use.

### Does the difficulty level increase?
The tactical complexity increases slightly since you must coordinate with another person, but the rules remain straightforward.

### Who is this game recommended for?
For those who love pure strategy, abstract games, and want a quick option for group gaming.