Number of Players: 1-4

Playing Time: 60-120 Minutes

Recommended Ages: 14+

The warring states period was a pivotal era in Chinese history, marked by constant warfare, significant bureaucratic and military reforms, and the consolidation of power among rival states. The game is set around 260 BCE, a time when the seven warring kingdoms—yan, zhao, han, wei, qi, chu, and qin—were locked in fierce conflict, both against each other as well as against nomadic groups like the Xiongnu, who posed a threat from the north.

Although sections of the great wall of china had been constructed as early as the 8th century BCE, the later years of the warring states period saw a surge in defensive building projects.

Before the qin ultimately unified the kingdoms, extensive fortifications, watchtowers, and new sections of the wall were erected to bolster defenses.

Gameplay

In Tianxia, players take the role of leaders of noble families who want to earn prestige, as well as favors from the powerful rulers that govern the seven warring kingdoms. The game lasts four rounds, in which you install governors in the regions, bolster the power of rival ruling houses and thus their favor. You also sell goods to merchant ships that sail the Chinese shores to gain wealth and various other benefits. Nevertheless, you must not forget about the nomadic warriors who pose a constant threat on the northern borders of the seven kingdoms. Thus, you must train soldiers and build walls and towers to weaken the invaders and protect your interests, earning prestige in the process. Each round the nomads (Xiongnu) advance toward the borders of the seven kingdoms and gather even larger numbers. When they reach the border a battle takes place that affects all players. At the end of the game, the player who was the best governor, politician, merchant, and protector becomes the winner!

Contents:

• 1 Main Board (double-sided)
• 4 Player Boards (double-sided)
• 3 Barges
• 6 Starting Supply Tiles
• 5 Palace Banner Tiles
• 10 Income Building Tiles
• 18 Passive Building Tiles
• 6 Starting Building Tiles
• 12 Additional Cost Tokens
• 4 Port Demand Tiles
• 18 Ship Tiles
• 32 Demand Tiles
• 28 Palace Bonus Tiles
• 52 Regular Bonus Tiles
• 16 Easy Nomad Attack Cards
• 16 Normal Nomad Attack Cards
• 28 Objective Cards
• 4 Player Aids
• 4 Nomad Chieftains
• 4 Nomad Strength Markers
• 4 Defense Markers
• 9 Neutral Meeples
• 4 50/100 Prestige Points Tokens
• 4 150/200 Prestige Points Tokens
• 75 Resources
  • 25 Stone
  • 25 Rice
  • 25 Wood
• 60 Goods
  • 20 Silk
  • 20 Helmet
  • 20 Jewelry
• 40 Coins
  • 30 “1”
  • 10 “5”
• Per Player Color (x4)
  • 16 Meeples
  • 6 Walls
  • 2 Towers
  • 3 Action Markers
  • 1 Turn Order Marker
  • 1 Scoring Marker
  • 4 Palace Tracks Markers
  • 7 Shipping Markers
  • 7 Delivery Markers
  • 1 Bonus Shipping Tile
  • 1 Double Tower Tile
• 2 Player Game Mode
  • 1 Bot Player Board
  • 9 Bot Cards
  • 1 Bot Player Aid
• Solo Game Mode
  • 1 Solo Player Board
  • 16 Li Mu Cards
  • 1 Solo Mode Player Aid
  • 1 Six-sided Die