The heart of Tzolk'in: gears and workers
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is a worker-placement game where the central gears drive every decision. During a turn, you must either place one or more workers onto available spots on the gears, or pick up one or more workers. Placing workers costs corn, which serves as currency and is also needed for feeding. Picking up a worker lets you perform an action based on the worker's position on the gear. Leaving a worker on a gear as it rotates moves it to a more powerful action. The game ends after one full revolution of the central Tzolk'in gear.
Key mechanics to know before you start
- Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar: During a turn, players must either place one or more workers onto available spots on the gears, or instead, pick up one or more workers. This is the core turn structure: you either place or pick up workers, and understanding this choice is essential for planning your first moves.
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar - Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar: Placing workers costs corn, which is used as a currency in the game and is also needed for feeding. Corn is a dual-purpose resource, so you must balance spending it to place workers with saving enough to feed them.
- Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar: Picking up a worker allows a player to perform an action depending on the position of the worker. The action you get depends on where the worker is on the gear, so timing your pickups is crucial.
- Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar: Leaving a worker on a gear as it rotates moves it to a more powerful action. Patience pays off: workers become more valuable over time, but you risk losing them if you wait too long.
Setting up your first game
The supplied information does not include a full setup procedure. For complete setup instructions, consult the rulebook. The following steps cover only what is supported by the product details.
- Place the central gears: The game revolves around the central Tzolk'in gear and the smaller gears around it. The rulebook will show how to assemble them.
- Prepare the corn supply: Corn is the currency and feeding resource. Ensure the supply is within reach of all players.
- Set up the building and god tiles: Buildings and crystal skulls for the gods are two paths to victory. The rulebook explains how to display them.
- Give each player their starting workers and corn: Each player begins with a set of workers and some corn. The exact amounts are in the rulebook.
Your first turn: place or pick up?
On your first turn, you must either place workers or pick up workers. Since no workers are on the gears yet, you will place workers. Placing workers costs corn, so you need to decide how many to place and where. The spots on the gears offer different actions, and the cost in corn varies. Early on, you might place a worker on a spot that gives you more corn, or on a spot that sets you up for a powerful action later.
Opening moves to consider
These are general strategic principles based on the mechanics, not specific move instructions from the rulebook.
- Secure corn income: Since placing workers costs corn and you also need corn to feed them, ensuring a steady corn supply early is wise. Look for spots that provide corn when picked up.
- Plan for the long game: Leaving workers on gears makes their actions more powerful. Consider placing workers on spots that become very strong after a few rotations, but don't neglect immediate needs.
- Watch the gear rotation: The central gear rotates each turn, moving workers to new positions. Anticipate where your workers will be and when you might want to pick them up.
- Choose a victory path: The game offers multiple paths to victory, such as constructing buildings or pleasing the gods with crystal skulls. Your opening moves should align with the path you intend to pursue.
Balancing feeding and building
Feeding your workers is a recurring cost. Corn is needed both to place workers and to feed them, so you must manage your supply carefully. If you overextend by placing too many workers, you might struggle to feed them later. Conversely, placing too few workers limits your options. Finding the right balance is a key part of beginner strategy.
When the game ends
The game ends after one full revolution of the central Tzolk'in gear. That means you have a limited number of turns to execute your strategy. Keep an eye on the gear's position to know how much time you have left. Plan your final moves to maximize points from buildings, gods, or other scoring opportunities.
