The Builders: Antiquity

Bombyx, asmodee, Gémklub · Board game · 2015
2–4 · best 3 30 min Weight 2.0/5
7.5 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
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7.5 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Loved The Builders: Middle Ages? Then The Builders: Antiquity is the right pick for you! A fast, straightforward game packed with cool decisions for those who enjoy building and managing.

Highlights
  • Quick and strategic building
  • Interesting allocation decisions
  • Engaging historical theme
  • Great for beginners
Keep in mind
  • Slave management can punish
  • Card draw can vary
  • Can feel repetitive quickly
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey builders! Ready to get your hands dirty and become the greatest master builder of antiquity? In The Builders: Antiquity, you'll draw inspiration from wonders like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Greek Parthenon to construct your legacies.

Each game presents a challenge of planning and management. You'll have a fixed number of actions per turn, but you can always push for more by purchasing extra actions, if your budget allows. The goal is straightforward: complete constructions and accumulate points. To achieve this, you'll need to hire workers, each with their specific skills (carpentry, masonry, architecture, painting), and assign them to your building projects. But building comes at a cost: each worker needs to be paid to enter the construction site.

Don't worry, you're not alone in this! You can hire slaves to help out, but be careful: if you don't free them by the end of the game, you'll face negative points. Want to boost your team? Send your workers to university or purchase tools that enhance their abilities. Managing your resources, deciding when to take out a loan, and choosing the best buildings to focus on are the keys to victory.

Featuring mechanics like action points, contracts, income, and set collection, The Builders: Antiquity is a fast-paced and engaging card game, perfect for those who enjoy light strategy with a historical twist. It's a great option for anyone looking for something quicker than its older sibling, The Builders: Middle Ages, but with that same satisfying challenge and decision-making.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Transparent Elements Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Game: The Builders Occupation: Builder Theme: Construction
Publisher Bombyx, asmodee, Gémklub, Rebel Sp. z o.o.
Designer Frédéric Henry
Artist Sabrina Miramon

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime?
A game of The Builders: Antiquity typically lasts around 30 minutes, making it quite fast.
How many players can participate?
The game is for 2 to 4 players and plays well at all counts.
Is it a difficult game to learn?
No, the complexity is considered low (1.96/5 on BGG), making it great for beginners or those wanting something lighter.
Does it require a lot of table space?
As a card game with few extra components, it doesn't demand a very large table.
What's the main difference from The Builders: Middle Ages?
Antiquity introduces slaves, universities, and tools, while also being a bit faster and more direct in its mechanics.
Is it worth it for someone looking for a city-building game?
Yes, it's a more abstract and card-focused version, but the feeling of building something is present and quite fun.

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