Overview

Olympos is a civilization-building game set in ancient Greece and the mythical Atlantis. Players colonize territories, gather resources, develop technologies (Discoveries), and build Wonders. Turn order is determined by position on a Time Track – the player furthest back always goes next, allowing multiple consecutive turns for efficient players. Designed by Philippe Keyaerts (Smallworld), published by Ystari Games.

Components

• 1 game board (map of Greece, Atlantis, and Time Track)
• 1 development board (Discovery and Wonder tiles)
• 55 Discovery tiles (in 5 colored tiers)
• 5 Wonder tiles
• 100 Settler tokens (20 per color, 5 colors)
• 32 Territory tokens (Grain, Stone, Wood, Gold)
• 28 Prestige tokens
• 12 Hourglass tokens
• 8 Tribe tokens (with Star on back)
• 28 Resource cubes (4 types)
• 10 Olympos cards, 22 Destiny cards
• 1 Zeus token

Setup

1. Place game board and development board centrally.
2. Set up Discovery tiles by tier on the development board (red/yellow/green/blue/purple rows). Discard tier-5 tiles in 4-player games.
3. Place Wonder tiles in the sixth row.
4. Each player takes 5 Settler tokens, keeping 4 in personal stock; place 1 on the Time Track starting space (random order in stack).
5. The bottom player in the stack selects 8 territories to remove (marked with Cross tokens). Max 1 starred territory per type removed.
6. Place Tribe tokens on remaining starred territories.
7. Give each player 1 random Resource cube.
8. Shuffle and place Destiny cards and Olympos cards (1 per Zeus space, 2 per Double Zeus space).

Turn Structure

The player furthest back on the Time Track takes a turn. If tied, the player on top of the stack goes. A player may take multiple consecutive turns if still last.

On each turn, choose one of 2 actions: Expansion or Development.

Action A: Expansion

Move a Settler on the map to conquer territory.

1. Create new Settler (optional): Place from personal stock on Northern Zone or owned territory. Costs 2 action points (1 with Medicine).
2. Move Settler: Enter territories at 1 AP per land space, 2 AP per sea space. Can pass through occupied/empty territories and Cross spaces (but can’t stop on Cross).
3. Conquer empty territory: Gain the matching Territory token.
4. Combat: Automatically won by attacker. Cost depends on military Discoveries (Sword symbols):
   • More Swords than defender: 1 AP
   • Equal Swords: 2 AP
   • Fewer Swords: 3 AP
   • Defender receives an Hourglass token as compensation.
5. Pay: Advance on Time Track by total APs spent.

Action B: Development

Make a Discovery or build a Wonder using Territory tokens and/or Resource cubes. Territory tokens are permanent (not consumed); Resource cubes are spent.

• Take the Discovery tile and gain its power.
• Claim a bonus from below the Discovery on the development board.
• Development costs 2 AP on the Time Track.

Actions

Hourglass tokens: 1 Hourglass = 1 AP that can be used instead of advancing on the Time Track. Must be used first before advancing.

Zeus spaces: When a player crosses a Zeus space on the Time Track, reveal the Olympos card. Effects vary (resource gains, attacks, etc.).

Destiny cards: Drawn as bonuses; provide various benefits.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Game ends when all players have reached or passed the mandatory end space on the Time Track.

Scoring:

• Discovery tiles: Prestige value printed on each
• Wonder tiles: Prestige value
• Star tokens (from Tribes): 3 Prestige each
• Destiny card bonuses
• Territory tokens: some end-game scoring
• Atlantis territories: additional Prestige

Highest total Prestige wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• The Northern Zone is only for placing new Settlers; Settlers cannot stay or pass through it during movement.
• A player may have multiple Settlers on the map simultaneously.
• Territories under opponent’s control transfer Territory tokens and Star tokens to the attacker.
• A fleeing player (token underneath after combat) may leave freely on their turn but cannot attack “in place.”
• Tribes have 0 Swords for combat purposes.
• Olympos territory provides a Zeus token to its controller.
• Each Discovery can only be made once per player.
• Wonders require specific resource combinations and are unique (first to build claims it).

Player Reference

Turn order: Furthest back on Time Track (top of stack if tied)

Expansion: Create Settler (2 AP) + Move (1 AP/land, 2 AP/sea) + Combat (1-3 AP) → Advance on Track

Development: Pay resources → Take Discovery tile + Bonus → Advance 2 AP

Hourglass: 1 token = 1 free AP (use before advancing)

Game end: All players pass end space on Time Track