Tzolk'in Mini-Expansion 2: Setup Steps and How to Use It
By Czech Games Edition | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to adding the Bonus Starting Wealth Tile from Tzolk'in Mini-Expansion 2, including setup checkpoints and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick answer
Tzolk'in Mini-Expansion 2 adds one Bonus Starting Wealth Tile to the base game. Before you begin, decide whether every player will use the tile or only some, then place it with the starting resources during setup and treat its bonus as part of your opening position. The tile is small, so the main risk is forgetting to include it before the first turn begins.
What the tile changes at the start of the game
The Bonus Starting Wealth Tile gives you an extra strategic option as you begin your civilization-building journey. It does not replace any existing starting resource or action; it sits alongside them. That means the tile slightly increases the value of your opening position without changing the core turn structure or the action wheels. If you already know how the gears work, you can add this tile without relearning the base game.
Decide the table rule before setup
Because the expansion contains a single tile, agree before setup whether it will be available to all players, drafted, or used only in specific games. The catalog describes it as a way to vary your setup, so treat it as a modular option rather than a mandatory component. Writing this rule down or announcing it clearly prevents mid-game disagreements about who was supposed to receive the bonus.
Where the tile fits with other expansions
Mini-Expansion 2 is designed for use with Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar. If you already use other expansions or promos, add this tile last so you can isolate its effect. That order makes it easier to tell whether the bonus wealth changed the game or whether another expansion did. It also keeps your setup sequence consistent from session to session.
Setup steps for Tzolk'in Mini-Expansion 2
- 1. Set up the base game first: Complete your normal Tzolk'in setup, including starting resources and player order, before touching the mini-expansion. Common mistake: mixing the bonus tile into the base components so it gets lost or double-counted. Checkpoint: the base game should be fully playable before you add anything from the expansion.
- 2. Announce whether the tile is in play: State clearly whether the Bonus Starting Wealth Tile will be used this game and who receives it. Common mistake: assuming everyone knows the tile is optional and then discovering a player built their opening around it. Checkpoint: every player can say yes or no to the tile before the first turn.
- 3. Place the tile with the starting components: Put the Bonus Starting Wealth Tile where starting wealth or resources are distributed so it is visible from turn one. Common mistake: leaving it in the box lid until the first scoring, which effectively removes it from the game. Checkpoint: the tile is on the table and physically reachable by the player who should use it.
- 4. Apply the bonus before the first action: Resolve the tile's bonus as part of setup, not as a free action during the first turn. Common mistake: treating it as an in-game action and accidentally giving that player an extra turn or delaying the first round. Checkpoint: the first turn begins only after the bonus has been applied.
- 5. Record the change for next time: Note whether the tile made the opening too strong, too weak, or just right for your group. Common mistake: repeating the same setup without checking whether it actually improved the experience. Next step: if the game felt unbalanced, try the tile with a different player count or remove it for the next session.
Product facts
- Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar - Mini-Expansion 2: Adds one Bonus Starting Wealth Tile to the base game and is designed for use with Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar. You get a simple setup variation and an extra strategic option at the start without changing the base rules.
