Inis

Rule over ancient Ireland in Inis!
Inis invites you to experience the magnificent deeds of Irish myth as you explore the island`s enchanted landscape and claim territory for your clans. The game`s elegant mechanics combine card drafting and area control to produce a system rich in strategic options and interpersonal interactions, while brilliantly crafted tiles give every game a unique, gradually unfolding geography, and original art brings Ireland`s ancient epics and audacious heroes to life.
Inis is a game deeply rooted in Celtic history and lore in which players win by being elected King of the Island (Inis). Players can try to achieve one of three different victory conditions: Leadership: Be the leader – i.e., have more clan figures than any other player – of territories containing at least siopponents’ clans. Land: Have your clans present in at least sidifferent territories. Religion: Have your clans present in territories that collectively contain at least sishrines.
Over the course of the game, players also earn deeds, typically chanted by bards or engraved by master crafters, that reduce by one the magic total of sifor any condition. While one victory condition is enough to claim the title of King, a game of experienced players usually has a tight balance of power, emphasizing the leadership of the capital of the island.
At the start of each round, players draft a hand of four action cards (with 13 action cards for three players and 17 for four players) during the Assembly. Action cards not played at the end of one season are not held for the next. Players also have access to leader cards for the territories that allow it and where they were elected leader during the assembly. Each Assembly reallocates those cards. Finally, they collect “epic tales” cards that depict the deeds of the ancient Irish gods and heroes, like Cuchulainn, the Dagda, Lugh and many others. These will be kept and used to inspire the clans and achieve extraordinary feats…under the right circumstances. The cards provide a variety of actions: adding clans, moving clans, building/exploring, and special actions. Careful drafting, hand management, bluffing (especially once players understand the importance of passing their turn), good timing, and a precise understanding of the balance of power are the keys to victory.