Yspahan

Ystari Games, HUCH!, MINDOK · Board game · 2006
7.5 Ludopedia 7.0 BGG 2–4 · best 4 45–60 min Weight 2.4/5
Buy · from US$ 32.99
7.5 rating Ludopedia
7.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Yspahan is a neat little economic dice game that makes you feel like a clever Persian merchant! If you enjoy planning but aren't afraid of a little twist of fate, this one's for you.

Highlights
  • Clever resource management
  • Impactful dice rolls
  • Engaging Persian theme
  • Subtle, strategic interaction
Keep in mind
  • Luck can disrupt plans
  • Slight initial learning curve
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey folks! Ready for a trip back in time to the Persian trade scene? In Yspahan, you step into the shoes of merchants in the empire's vibrant capital, which is booming culturally and economically. The goal is to capitalize on the Shah's supervisor's visit to get the money flowing! How? By getting your merchandise into the right shops, sending valuable loads to the caravan, and maybe even constructing buildings to boost your actions.

The twist here is that each turn has a special flavor of surprise. You choose the action you want to take, but a dice roll determines which actions are available and how powerful they'll be. So, it's all about strategy, but with a dash of luck to spice things up! You can score points quickly by grabbing the best shops or sending your traders to the caravan. Alternatively, you can invest in the future by building structures that enhance your actions or picking up cards that open up new possibilities.

Every seven turns, points are tallied for the city and the caravan. And after three "weeks" (cycles of 7 turns), the shrewdest merchant, who profited the most, claims the glory. Yspahan is a game that blends management, area control, and a touch of dice-based luck, perfect for those who enjoy an economic game with a unique twist and aren't afraid of a little controlled randomness. Let's make this empire prosper!

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 BEST

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Animals: Camels Cities: Isfahan (Iran) Components: Meeples (Animal) / Animeeples Country: Iran Digital Implementations: BoardSpace Digital Implementations: Yucata Mechanism: Dice Drafting Occupation: Merchant Series: Master Print (Quined) Series: Ystari originals
Publisher Ystari Games, HUCH!, MINDOK, Quined White Goblin Games, Rio Grande Games
Designer Sébastien Pauchon
Artist Arnaud Demaegd, Mike Doyle (I)

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

8,162owners
1,136wishlist
261want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players does Yspahan support and what's the average playtime?
Yspahan is for 2 to 4 players, and a game typically lasts about 45 to 60 minutes.
How complex is Yspahan? Is it hard to learn?
The game has a medium weight (2.37/5 on BGG), meaning the rules are accessible, but the strategy can be deep. It's not overly complex, but it requires some attention during the first few plays.
What do I do in the game? What's the objective?
You are a merchant trying to profit in Yspahan. The goal is to accumulate the most points by the end of 3 'weeks' (7-turn cycles), earning points by placing merchandise in shops, sending it to caravans, and building structures.
Do the dice make the game too random?
The dice in Yspahan determine which actions are available and how effective they are, adding an element of luck. However, the action selection and resource management allow you to mitigate randomness and plan your moves.
Who is Yspahan recommended for?
It's great for those who enjoy economic games with a touch of area control and don't mind a bit of dice luck. If you like games like For Sale or Taj Mahal, you might enjoy Yspahan.
What are the main components?
You'll find colorful dice, merchant meeples, action cards, city boards, and resources like merchandise and gold.

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