7 Wonders Complete Guide: Card Drafting Civilization Game

7 Wonders is a card drafting civilization game where players lead one of 7 ancient cities to greatness by collecting resources, building structures, advancing science, and strengthening military across 3 ages. Designed by Antoine Bauza, it won the Kennerspiel des Jahres in 2011 and has sold over 2 million copies.

Game Components

What's in the Box

• 7 Wonder boards (double-sided with A and B abilities)
• 49 Age I cards, 49 Age II cards, 50 Age III cards
• 46 Conflict tokens (military victory/defeat)
• 24 coins (1-value and 3-value)
• 7 Wonder cards (optional variant)
• 1 scorebook
• Designed for 3-7 players (best with 4-5)
• Typical game duration 30-45 minutes

How to Play

Setup

1. Each player receives a Wonder board randomly.
2. Deal 7 Age I cards face-down to each player.
3. Each player receives 3 coins.

Taking a Turn

Simultaneously, all players choose one card from their hand and play it:

1. Build the structure: Place the card face-up in your play area. Pay any required cost (resources or coins).
2. Build a Wonder stage: Place the card face-down under your Wonder board, paying the Wonder stage cost. The card's own cost is ignored.
3. Discard for coins: Place the card face-down in the discard pile and receive 3 coins.

After all players have played, pass your remaining hand to the player next to you:

• Age I: Pass to the left
• Age II: Pass to the right
• Age III: Pass to the left

Card Types

Paying for Cards

• Resource cost: Use your own resources (Brown/Gray cards) or buy from neighbors at 2 coins each.
• Coin cost: Some cards require coins (shown with a coin symbol).
• Free chaining: Some cards have a chain symbol showing they can be built for free if you already have the linked card.

Military Conflicts

At the end of each Age, compare military shields with each neighbor:

• More shields than a neighbor: Gain military victory tokens (Age I: +1, Age II: +3, Age III: +5)
• Fewer shields than a neighbor: Take a defeat token (-1 point)
• Equal shields: No change

Scoring

At game end, score each category:

Science Scoring

Science uses a unique scoring formula:

• Sets of 3 different symbols (gear + compass + tablet): 10 points per set
• Pairs of same symbol: 4 points per pair (i.e., each symbol squared: N^2 × 4)

Example: 3 gears, 2 compasses, 1 tablet = (3×3×4) + (2×2×4) + (1×1×4) = 36 + 16 + 4 = 56 points, or alternatively 1 complete set (10 pts) + remaining (2×2×4) + (1×1×4) + (0×0×4) = 10 + 16 + 4 = 30 points. Use whichever scores higher.

Strategy Tips

1. Science is High-Reward, High-Risk

• A focused science strategy can score 50-70 points, but requires many green cards.
• The Wild science symbol (from Babylon wonder or specific cards) is incredibly valuable.
• If two players compete for science, both lose — commit fully or avoid it.

2. Military on a Budget

• You only compete with immediate neighbors — ignore military if your neighbors are weak.
• 1-2 military cards per age is usually enough to avoid defeat tokens.
• Overinvesting in military means fewer points elsewhere.

3. Resource Engine First

• Build Brown and Gray cards in Age I to establish your resource production.
• Having diverse resources means you can build anything in later ages.
• Commercial (Yellow) cards with resource production are extremely efficient.

4. Know Your Wonder

• Each Wonder has unique stage bonuses — some give extra cards, others give points or science.
• Rhodes (military bonus) and Alexandria (resource flexibility) are beginner-friendly.
• Babylon (extra science) and Ephesus (extra coins) reward specific strategies.

5. Watch Both Neighbors

• You trade with and compete against both adjacent players.
• If one neighbor is collecting military, you may need shields too.
• If both neighbors ignore science, it becomes an opportunity for you.

Game Variations

7 Wonders: Leaders

• Adds leader cards drafted at game start
• Leaders provide ongoing bonuses (discounts, extra points, special abilities)
• Requires base game

7 Wonders: Cities

• Adds city cards with new effects
• Diplomacy tokens that cancel military conflicts
• Debt tokens that cost points
• Requires base game

7 Wonders: Duel (2-Player)

• Designed specifically for 2 players
• Cards displayed in a pyramid pattern instead of hand drafting
• Military track that can cause instant win
• Science collection that can cause instant win
• Often preferred over the base game for 2-player sessions

Game History

Origins

• Designed by Antoine Bauza and published by Repos Production in 2010
• Bauza also designed Takenoko and Ghost Stories
• The simultaneous play mechanic eliminates downtime completely

Awards

• Won Kennerspiel des Jahres 2011
• Won the Origins Award for Best Card Game
• Over 2 million copies sold worldwide
• Translated into 25+ languages

Statistics

• Designed for 3-7 players (best with 4-5)
• 7 Wonder boards (double-sided)
• 148 cards across 3 Ages
• 7 cards dealt per Age
• Military victory: +1/+3/+5 by Age
• Military defeat: -1 per Age
• Science: N² × 4 per symbol or 10 per set of 3
• Coins: 1 point per 3 coins
• Over 2 million copies sold
• Won Kennerspiel des Jahres 2011
• Typical game duration 30-45 minutes
• Suitable for ages 10 and up
• Simultaneous play — zero downtime
• Designed by Antoine Bauza
• Published by Repos Production

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