How to Learn to Play 7 Wonders

Welcome to the captivating world of 7 Wonders, a card drafting game that allows you to build your own ancient civilization! This quick and engaging game has captivated players worldwide with its simple rules, strategic depth, and beautiful artwork. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into everything you need to know to get started, from the basics of gameplay to advanced strategies that will elevate your game.

Understanding the Basics of 7 Wonders

7 Wonders is a card drafting game where players compete to create the most prosperous and powerful civilizations. Each player will build their own city, gathering resources, constructing buildings, developing scientific advancements, and conquering military might. The game unfolds over three ages, with each age representing a different stage in the development of your civilization.

The Core Mechanics:

• Card Drafting: The game revolves around drafting cards, which represent various actions, buildings, resources, and wonders. Players simultaneously choose a card from the available selection, creating a dynamic and interactive element.
• Building Your City: Cards are used to build your city. Each card contributes to different aspects of your civilization, such as resource production, scientific progress, military strength, and cultural development.
• Trading with Neighbors: Players can trade resources with their neighbors, adding a layer of negotiation and cooperation to the game.
• Military Victories: Players can earn military points by building military cards. At the end of each age, a military conflict occurs, rewarding the strongest military player.
• Scientific Progress: Players can collect sets of scientific symbols, gaining victory points for the number of complete sets.
• Wonders: Each civilization can construct a unique Wonder, a powerful card that grants special abilities and contributes significantly to victory points.

Getting Started with 7 Wonders

Now let's dive into the nitty-gritty of playing 7 Wonders. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Setting Up the Game:

1. Choose a Wonder: Each player chooses a unique Wonder card from the available set. This card will become a central part of your civilization's development.
2. Prepare the Age Cards: Shuffle the cards for each age (Age I, Age II, and Age III) and place them in separate piles.
3. Deal Initial Cards: Each player receives three cards from the first age (Age I). These cards will form the foundation of your starting civilization.
4. Prepare Resources: Place the resource tokens (wood, stone, clay, ore, and linen) in a central location.
5. Set Up the Military Track: Use the provided military track to track military points.
6. Set Up the Scientific Track: Use the provided scientific track to track scientific points.

2. Playing the Game:

1. Choose a Card: Each player secretly selects one card from their hand and places it face down in front of them. You can't see what other players have chosen.
2. Reveal Cards: Simultaneously, all players reveal their chosen cards.
3. Resolve Actions: Each card has a specific action. For example, a resource card provides you with a specific resource, a building card allows you to construct a structure, and a scientific card grants you a scientific symbol.
4. Discard: After resolving the card's action, discard it.
5. Draw New Cards: If you have cards in your hand, discard one and draw a new card from the top of the current age deck. If you have no cards, you still need to discard and draw.
6. Military Points: At the end of each age, players compare their military points. The player with the most points receives victory points.
7. Scientific Points: At the end of the game, players receive victory points for each complete set of scientific symbols they have gathered.
8. Age Advancement: After each age, move on to the next age deck. Each age introduces new cards with more advanced options.
9. End of the Game: The game ends after completing the Age III deck. Players then tally their victory points:
• Building Points: Count the victory points printed on the building cards you have constructed.
• Military Points: Count the victory points earned from military battles.
• Scientific Points: Count the victory points for complete sets of scientific symbols.
• Wonder Points: Count the victory points from your Wonder card.

3. Winning the Game:

The player with the highest total victory points wins the game!

Essential Strategies for 7 Wonders

7 Wonders offers a wealth of strategic possibilities. While the game's core mechanics are relatively simple, mastering strategic thinking can lead to significant advantages. Here are some key strategies to consider:

1. Resource Management:

• Balance Your Resources: Aim for a balance of resources to ensure you have enough to build different types of cards. Don't neglect key resources like clay, which is essential for constructing many building cards.
• Strategic Trading: Use trading to acquire resources you need or to get rid of excess resources.
• Anticipate Future Needs: Think ahead about the resources you'll need for upcoming buildings or wonders.

2. Building Strategies:

• Specialization: Consider focusing on a specific area of your civilization, such as military strength or scientific advancements, to maximize victory points.
• Early Game Focus: Early in the game, focus on building cards that provide resources, military strength, or scientific advancement.
• Late Game Development: In the later stages, prioritize cards that provide victory points or enhance your chosen specialization.
• Beware of Card Dependencies: Some building cards require specific resources to build.

3. Military Strategy:

• Defensive or Offensive: Decide whether you want to be a defensive player, focusing on protecting your civilization, or an offensive player, aiming for military victories.
• Military Chain: Building a chain of military cards can provide a significant boost to your military strength.
• Don't Neglect Military: While other strategies are important, military power is often the key to victory.

4. Scientific Strategy:

• Complete Sets: Aim to collect complete sets of scientific symbols for significant victory points.
• Strategic Symbol Collection: Don't just gather symbols randomly.
• Consider Science with Building Cards: Some building cards provide scientific symbols, allowing you to build your scientific strategy alongside your civilization development.

5. Wonder Strategies:

• Select Your Wonder Wisely: The Wonder you choose will have a significant impact on your strategy.
• Understand Wonder Abilities: Read the abilities of your chosen Wonder carefully and plan your strategy around its strengths.
• Don't Neglect Your Wonder: While your Wonder is powerful, it requires resources and actions to complete.

Beyond the Basics: Expanding Your 7 Wonders Experience

Now that you've mastered the fundamentals of 7 Wonders, let's explore ways to enhance your gameplay:

1. 7 Wonders Duel:

7 Wonders Duel is a two-player version of the game. It provides a more focused and intense experience, with a streamlined deck of cards and a unique gameplay flow.

2. 7 Wonders: Leaders:

This expansion adds Leader cards to the game, providing unique abilities that can be used to enhance your strategy. Each leader has their own special abilities, adding further depth and complexity to the game.

3. 7 Wonders: Cities:

The Cities expansion introduces Guild cards and City Cards, adding more options for resource management, special abilities, and victory points.

4. 7 Wonders: The Pantheon:

This expansion brings the Pantheon to the game, allowing players to collect deity cards that provide unique benefits and bonuses.

Tips for Playing 7 Wonders Online

If you're eager to play 7 Wonders online, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a Reputable Platform: Select a reliable and user-friendly platform for online gaming.
• Understand the Platform Rules: Familiarize yourself with the specific rules and features of the online platform you're using.
• Practice with AI Opponents: Play against artificial intelligence (AI) opponents to hone your skills and get comfortable with the online environment.
• Join Online Communities: Connect with other 7 Wonders players online to share strategies, tips, and participate in tournaments.

Conclusion: A World of Wonders Awaits

7 Wonders is an engaging and rewarding game that offers a unique blend of strategy, resource management, and civilization building. With its simple rules and diverse strategies, it's a game that can be enjoyed by both beginners and experienced players alike. Whether you choose to play with friends, family, or online, embark on your own journey to build the most magnificent ancient civilization in the world of 7 Wonders!