If you're looking for a worker placement game that truly innovates, Tzolk'in is a must-play. Its dynamic gear mechanism is a stroke of genius, making every decision about timing and placement feel incredibly impactful.
- Innovative rotating gear worker placement
- Deep strategic planning and timing
- Rewarding long-term worker placement
- Unique Mayan theme integration
- Can be punishing for missteps
- Requires careful resource management
About the game
What you do in a play session
Each turn, you face a crucial decision: place one or more workers on the gears, paying corn (the game's currency), or retrieve workers to perform actions corresponding to their current position. The clever twist is that the longer your worker stays on the gear, the more valuable the action becomes. It's a game of patience and planning, where time is your ally, but you can't just ignore your workers—if all of them are on the gears, it's time to pick some up!
The game concludes after one full revolution of the central Tzolk'in gear. The beauty lies in the variety of paths to victory: you can please the gods by placing crystal skulls in deep caves, construct majestic temples, or focus on other strategies. Tzolk'in offers a unique experience that challenges your planning and your ability to adapt to the flow of time.
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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Gaming Rules! - Tzolk'in official rules video
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Stikfa-mations by Greg Cornell: Tzolk'in Review and How to Play
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10 Rules You Might Have Missed - Tzolk'in The Mayan Calendar
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Nights Around a Table - How to Play Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
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Board Game Blitz: How to Play Tzolk'in
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How to Play "Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar" - The Dragon Table: Episode 22
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Peaky Boardgamer Episode #116 - Tzolk'In : The Mayan Calendar - Full rules explanation (English)
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Unboxing: Tzolk´in
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Tzolk'in Learn to Play
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Tzolkin: The Mayan Calendar - Gameplay Runthrough - Part1
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Board Game Review and Gameplay Demo - Tzolk'In
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Foam Core Tzolk'in - Unboxing and Measurements
Best player count
BGG community vote
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Where to Buy
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is Tzolk'in a complex game for beginners?
What's the best player count for Tzolk'in?
How long does a game of Tzolk'in last?
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Is there luck involved in Tzolk'in?
Does Tzolk'in have expansions?
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