Sabika

Overview

Sabika is a worker placement game with an innovative triple-rondel mechanism set during the construction of the Alhambra in medieval Granada. Published by Ludonova (2022), players take on the roles of Nasrid nobles who contribute to building the towers, gardens, and palaces of the Alhambra while establishing trade routes through Europe and the Maghreb. The game’s three interconnected rondels represent Alhambra construction, poem carving, and goods exportation. The game is played over five eras (rounds), and the player with the most prestige points at the end wins.

Components

• 1 Main board with triple rondel system
• 4 Player boards
• Noble meeples (4 per player, including 2 Master Builder meeples)
• Resource tokens (various types for construction and trade)
• Prestige point tokens
• Building tiles
• Poem tiles
• Trade route cards
• Era cards
• Various bonus and scoring tokens
• Solo mode components

Setup

Place the main board centrally and give each player a player board with their 4 noble meeples. Arrange building tiles, poem tiles, and trade route cards according to game setup instructions. Set up resources in their supply areas. Place era-specific cards for the first era. Each player begins with starting resources as indicated on their player boards.

Turn Structure

The game spans 5 eras (rounds). In each era, players take 4 main actions by placing their nobles on the rondel spaces.

Era Structure

1. Action Phase: Players take turns placing one noble at a time onto rondel spaces and resolving the associated action.
2. Scoring Phase: At the end of each era, score prestige points based on current construction, poems, and trade routes.
3. Cleanup: Prepare the board for the next era.

Actions

Rondel Placement

Players place nobles from their player mat onto spaces on the triple rondel. Rules for placement:

• A space cannot contain two nobles of the same color.
• Master Builder meeples (larger nobles) can only be placed on the outer ring of the rondel.
• In the first round, nobles may be placed anywhere. In subsequent rounds, nobles must move clockwise along the rondel.

The Three Rondels

Construction Rondel (Building the Alhambra):

• Place building tiles to construct towers, gardens, and palaces.
• Earn prestige points for completed structures.
• Requires specific construction resources.

Poem Rondel (Carving Poems):

• Inscribe poems in the halls of the Alhambra.
• Earn prestige points and unlock special bonuses.
• Uses cultural resources.

Trade Rondel (Exporting Goods):

• Establish trade routes through Europe and the Maghreb.
• Generate income to fund construction and pay tribute.
• Provides ongoing economic benefits.

Resource Management

• Gather resources through rondel actions.
• Spend resources on construction, poems, and trade routes.
• Pay tribute to the Catholic Monarchs (mandatory costs each era).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

At the end of the fifth era, final scoring occurs. Players earn prestige points from:

• Completed buildings and structures in the Alhambra
• Carved poems and cultural achievements
• Established trade routes and goods exported
• End-game bonus conditions
• Remaining resources (converted at specific rates)

The player with the most prestige points wins. Ties are broken by remaining resources.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Tribute Payment: Each era, players must pay tribute to the Catholic Monarchs. Failure to pay results in prestige point penalties.
• Master Builder Restriction: The two larger noble meeples are restricted to the outer ring of the rondel, limiting their action options but providing stronger effects.
• Rondel Movement: After the first era, nobles must move clockwise when placed on the rondel, adding a planning element to action selection.
• Solo Mode: Includes an automa opponent for single-player games.
• Interconnected Rondels: Actions on one rondel may affect options or bonuses on another, creating strategic interdependencies.

Player Reference

Rondel	Focus	Key Resource
Construction	Build Alhambra structures	Building materials
Poem	Carve inscriptions	Cultural resources
Trade	Export goods via routes	Trade goods

Game Length: 5 eras, 4 actions per era per player.

Victory: Most prestige points after 5 eras.