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Become a Renaissance Merchant in Splendor and Splendor Duel
- , by Eden Miller
- 3 min reading time
Build your gem selling empire in Splendor and Splendor Duel! Simple to learn, and challenging to master, the Splendor games offer players the chance to chart a course to wealth in the Renaissance period. Purchase gem mines, attract nobility, and transport your gems from across the world to earn Prestige Points.
As part of the merchant class, you have the unique opportunity to acquire and sell gems to the nobility. How will you acquire your wealth? Read on to learn more about how to play Splendor and Splendor Duel.
Splendid Splendor Tips and Tricks
Gems are an incredibly valuable resource in a game of Splendor, so naturally, most players want to start out collecting some to start their strategy. However, reserving cards for later down the line can also be a viable strategy to set you up for victory. Then, you have a goal to work toward and pattern your gameplay around so that you're sure to have mid- and late-game payoff while moving you closer to your 15 Prestige Point goal. This avoids the inevitable issue of an opponent taking the very card you've been eyeing for the last couple of rounds.
Games of Splendor move quickly, resolving in about half an hour, so every move matters. Selecting low-tier cards that help you to buy other cards can be a huge lift, moving your engine along more quickly and guiding you to the finish line. This snowball strategy adds a lot of value to your board. However, it can take some time to get moving, so you'll want to have a few end-goal cards in mind to build your strategy, including a card from the upper two tiers and a noble.
Splendor Duel Strategies for Success
Splendor Duel takes the base game of Splendor and adds more routes to win, with three potential win conditions: earning 20 Prestige Points, collecting 10 or more Crowns, or amassing 10 or more Prestige Points on cards of the same color. Because you're dealing more directly with one opponent in Splendor Duel rather than up to three opponents like in basic Splendor, you'll want to build a strategy that includes counterplays. So, you'll want to try to anticipate what win condition your opponent is going for so you can reserve cards that may be important to their strategy and attainable by them.
Additionally, replenishing the board is not as bad as it sounds! Though it does give your opponent a privilege does seem like too high of a price, it's really a small price to pay to be the first to pick. This can help you get the gems that you're after and even block enemy players from obtaining the coveted pearls.
Enrich Your Experience With Splendor Tournaments
Now that you know some key tips, put your skills to the test in our Splendor and Splendor Duel tournaments on June 6th in North Phoenix! Join us at 10:30 AM for our Splendor Tournament, then stick around for our Splendor Duel Tournament at 3 PM.
If you're looking to add more to your Splendor gameplay experience, there are also plenty of expansions worth exploring, including The Silk Road Expansion, which adds City tiles and Trading Posts, and The Sun Never Sets Expansion, which allows players to explore trade routes to the Orient.
