15

In 7 Wonders you add cards to the game depending on the number of players. So (for example) a 3 player game probably plays somewhat differently than a 5 player game.

What are the most important "facts" for a game with 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 players? And how could I remember them?

  • Which building types (military, civilian, scientific, raw materials, manufactured goods, commercial, guilds) are rare, which are common?
    • When is a science strategy easy/hard?
    • When are there enough military structures for everyone, when not?
    • …
  • Which resources are rare/common?
    • When is it viable to try to bury certain resource cards?
    • …
Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
13

This article on BGG is probably the definitive guide on differences with different player counts. To summarize some of its points here:

  • 4p features the most basic (brown) resources per player of any player count. You can wait to draft what you need. By contrast, 3p and 7p have the least resources per player, and in those games you should draft the resource-granting cards you need immediately.
  • 4p features the fewest advanced (gray) goods per player; 3p and 6p features the most; 5p has an average number, but they are concentrated in Age 2.
  • There are the most science (green) cards per player in 3p, followed by 4p. There are the fewest at 6p.
  • In 3p and 7p, the three science symbols are evenly distributed. In 5p, the symbols are evenly distributed, but there are fewer gears early and more later on. In 4p, there are 6 total tablet cards, 5 compasses, and only 4 gears!
  • In 3p and 4p, there is exactly one military (red) card per player per Age. In 5p, there is one extra in Age 3. In 6p and 7p, there is one red card "missing" in Age 1, but extras in Ages 2 and 3, and overall more shields total.
  • There is only one of the powerful Caravansery cards (the yellow wild basic resource card) in 3-4p. One is added in 5p and 6p.
  • There is only one Forum card (the yellow wild advanced goods card) in 3-5p. One is added in 6p and 7p.
  • Blue cards are always good and you can never have too many.
Improve this answer
1
  • Fascinating facts, thanks for summarising. I never really considered that different strategies might be more viable at different player counts! (Though I guess draft games are always self-balancing to an extent..)
    – thesunneversets
    Jan 31, 2013 at 10:26

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .