Wayfarers of the South Tigris: Tides of Trade

Garphill Games, HIT Games, Pixie Games · Board game · 2025
1–4 Solo 60–90 min Weight 4.0/5
rating Ludopedia
8.3 rating BGG
rating Ludopedia
8.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Essential for those seeking more strategic depth and new management layers on top of the base game.

Highlights
  • Powerful new actions via overseers
  • Well-implemented worker upgrades
  • Increases deck variety
  • Fresh area control dynamics
Keep in mind
  • Increases overall game complexity
  • Requires base game to play
RECOMMENDED
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About the game
If you were already enjoying the vibe of Wayfarers of the South Tigris, get ready because the Tides of Trade expansion is here to open new horizons — literally! Now, commerce doesn't stop at Mesopotamia; it's time to explore unknown lands, document new regions, and establish trading posts to expand your commercial empire. But it's not just about traveling: technology has also evolved, and you'll need to manage this advancement to avoid falling behind in the race for progress.

What actually changes in the game? The expansion adds extra layers of strategy. You can now upgrade your workers (similar to the dice upgrades), recruit specialized traders, and compete for influence over the new red guild. Speaking of guilds, the arrival of the fourth minaret (the Red one) shakes up the area control dynamics, creating a new strategic point to spend your influence and attempt to dominate the region.

To make everything more dynamic, Tides of Trade adds new trader tiles and overseer townsfolk, bringing powerful actions that can turn the tide of the game. Additionally, every deck from the base game receives a flurry of new cards, injecting more variety and unpredictability into your sessions. If you love expert games with heavy management, worker placement, and that feeling of civilization building, this expansion is the spice needed to make the experience even denser and more rewarding. It's more depth, more options, and, of course, more competition!
Rules videos

In English

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Game details

Families

Cities: Baghdad (Iraq) Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Series: Medieval Trilogies (Garphill Games) Series: The South Tigris Trilogy (Garphill Games)
Publisher Garphill Games, HIT Games, Pixie Games, Portal Games, Schwerkraft-Verlag
Designer S J Macdonald, Shem Phillips
Artist Mihajlo Dimitrievski
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, Tides of Trade is an expansion and cannot be played standalone; you need Wayfarers of the South Tigris.
Does it make the game much harder?
The complexity increases slightly due to the new upgrade mechanics and the new guild, but those who know the base game will adapt quickly.
What are the new overseer townsfolk?
They are new types of citizens that bring powerful actions, expanding the possibilities of what you can do on your turn.
Does the expansion significantly change the playtime?
The average time remains between 60-90 minutes, but the density of decisions per turn increases.
Who is this expansion for?
For expert gamers who felt the base game could use more customization options and strategic depth.