citadels board game strategy

Well now, let me tell ya ’bout this here Citadels board game. Folks say it’s all about strategy, but to me, it’s just plain common sense, ya know?

First off, this game, it ain’t for the faint of heart. You gotta be thinkin’ all the time, like plannin’ what to plant in the spring, only this time, it’s buildin’ districts and such. Lots of folks get all tangled up in fancy talk, callin’ it resource management and role selection. Bah! I say, just pick what feels right and don’t go wastin’ your gold.

So, how d’ya win? Well, it’s kinda like buildin’ a town, only faster. You gotta get them districts, see? Enough of ’em, and you’re the winner. Some folks say there’s three ways to win, gettin’ your pieces in a line, takin’ the corners, or makin’ a square. But this ain’t that kind of game. This here’s about gettin’ the most districts built before everyone else does.

• Pickin’ Your Character: This is where it gets tricky. You got all sorts of folks – the Assassin, the Thief, the Magician… sounds like a bunch of hooligans to me. But each one’s got their own little trick. The Assassin, he can kill off another character for the round. The Thief, he steals gold. You gotta figure out who’s gonna help you the most, and who’s gonna mess with the other players. Sometimes, it’s best to just be the Merchant and get some extra gold. Gold’s always good, ya know?
• Buildin’ Your Districts: This is the meat and potatoes of the game. You gotta get them districts built. Some are cheap, some are expensive. Some give ya special powers. Like the church, it makes your districts safe from that there Warlord. Don’t go buildin’ somethin’ fancy if you can’t protect it, I always say.
• Watchin’ Your Gold: Gold’s like water in the well, gotta make it last. Don’t go spendin’ it all at once. You need gold to build districts, and you need districts to win. So, be smart with your money. Sometimes, it’s better to wait a turn and save up for somethin’ good, instead of just buyin’ the first thing you see.

Now, some folks, they talk about this rush strategy. Buildin’ fast and endin’ the game quick. It can work, I guess, if you’re lucky. But me, I like to take it slow and steady. Build up a good foundation, get some powerful districts, and then go for the win. Like plantin’ seeds, gotta tend them and then you can harvest big.

And speakin’ of strategy, some folks try to be all sneaky, like hidin’ their gold from the Thief. But I say, just be honest. If you got gold, spend it. If you don’t, well, then you gotta get some. And don’t be afraid to mess with the other players, ya know? This ain’t no Sunday school picnic. It’s a competition. If you see someone gettin’ ahead, you gotta knock ’em down a peg or two. That’s just the way it is.

Protectin’ Your Stuff is mighty important too. You work hard to build them districts, you don’t want some Warlord comin’ along and destroyin’ them. So, you gotta get yourself some protection. That church I mentioned, that’s a good start. And some characters, they got special abilities that can help too. Like the King, he gets a gold for every yellow district he has. So build lots of them yellow things if you like him!

Another thing, don’t go blabbin’ about your plans. Keep your cards close to your chest, like you’re holdin’ a winning poker hand. If everyone knows what you’re up to, they’re gonna try to stop you. So keep your yap shut and just play the game. This Citadels game strategy ain’t rocket science, it’s just common sense, ya see.

And remember, every game is different. Sometimes, you’ll get lucky and draw the perfect cards. Sometimes, you’ll get stuck with nothin’ but junk. But that’s life, ain’t it? You gotta make the best of what you got. And don’t go cryin’ if you lose. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and play again. That’s the only way to get better. So there you have it, my take on this here Citadels board game. It ain’t fancy, but it’s the truth, just like I tell ya. Now go on and play the game, and see if you can do better than this old woman!