Splendor Complete Guide: Engine Building Board Game

Splendor is an elegant gem trading engine building board game where players collect gem tokens to purchase development cards, which provide permanent gem bonuses and bring you closer to attracting noble patrons. With simple rules but deep strategy, it is one of the best gateway strategy games available. Designed by Marc André, it was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres in 2014.

Game Components

What's in the Box

• 40 gem tokens (7 each of ruby, sapphire, emerald, diamond, onyx + 5 gold wild)
• 90 development cards (3 tiers: 40 at level 1, 30 at level 2, 20 at level 3)
• 10 noble tiles
• Designed for 2-4 players (best with 3-4)
• Typical game duration 30-45 minutes

How to Play

Setup

1. Shuffle each tier of development cards separately. Reveal 4 cards from each tier (12 total) face-up on the table.
2. Shuffle the noble tiles and reveal N+1 (where N = number of players) face-up.
3. Place all gem tokens within reach — sorted by color:
   • 2 players: 3 tokens per color
   • 3 players: 4 tokens per color
   • 4 players: 5 tokens per color
   • 5 gold tokens always available

Taking a Turn

On your turn, choose one of these actions:

1. Take Gem Tokens

Take gem tokens from the supply:

• Option A: Take 3 different colors of gem tokens.
• Option B: Take 2 of the same color (only if at least 4 tokens of that color remain in supply).

You cannot hold more than 10 tokens total. If you exceed 10, you must return tokens before ending your turn.

2. Purchase a Development Card

Spend gem tokens to buy one of the 12 face-up cards or one reserved card:

• Pay the cost shown on the card (top left corner).
• Development cards you already own provide permanent discounts — each card of a color counts as 1 gem of that color.
• Gold tokens are wild and can substitute for any color.
• Place the purchased card face-up in front of you.
• Replace the empty slot with a new card from the matching tier.

3. Reserve a Development Card

• Take one face-up card (or the top card of any tier deck) and place it face-down in front of you.
• You also receive 1 gold token (wild) from the supply.
• Maximum 3 reserved cards at a time.
• Reserved cards can be purchased on a future turn.

Development Card Benefits

Each development card provides:

• 1 permanent gem bonus (shown at bottom of card) — reduces future purchase costs by 1 gem of that color.
• Victory points (top right corner) — typically 0-5 points.

Noble Patrons

At the end of your turn, check if you qualify for any noble:

• Each noble shows a requirement of specific development card bonuses (e.g., "3 sapphires + 3 rubies").
• If your development cards meet or exceed a noble's requirement, you automatically receive that noble.
• Nobles are worth 3 victory points each.
• You can only receive one noble per turn (choose if you qualify for multiple).

Game End

When any player reaches 15 victory points, finish the current round so everyone has equal turns. The player with the most points wins. Ties broken by fewest development cards purchased.

Strategy Tips

1. Engine Building Priority

• Level 1 cards are the foundation — they cost 1-4 gems and provide permanent bonuses.
• Purchase Level 1 cards that match colors needed for Level 2 and Level 3 cards you want.
• A strong engine means you can purchase expensive cards for free (all costs covered by bonuses).
• Target getting at least 3-4 bonuses of one color to chain efficiently.

2. Noble Planning

• At the start of the game, examine all visible nobles and plan which 2-3 you will pursue.
• Nobles provide 3 points each — with 2 nobles that is 6 points, nearly half the winning target.
• Do not chase nobles that require colors you are not collecting.
• Watch opponents — if someone is close to qualifying for a noble, you may need to block them by taking relevant gems.

3. Reservation Strategy

• Reserve high-point Level 3 cards that opponents are building toward.
• Reserve cards you cannot afford yet but want to secure.
• Use reservations defensively — if an opponent is collecting sapphires, reserve the sapphire-requiring Level 3 card.
• Do not hoard reservations — 3 max and unused reservations waste potential.

4. Gold Token Management

• Gold tokens (wild) are valuable — you get one each time you reserve a card.
• Save gold for critical purchases where you are 1-2 gems short.
• Do not reserve cards just for gold — the card you reserve should be worth purchasing.

5. Tempo and Speed

• Splendor rewards efficiency — the first player to 15 points often wins.
• Avoid turns where you only take gems without purchasing — these are "wasted" turns.
• Ideally, every turn should either purchase a card or set up a purchase for next turn.
• Level 2 cards with points (1-2 points + bonus) are the best value in the mid-game.

Card Tier Analysis

Level 1 Cards (40 cards)

• Cost: 1-4 gems (mostly 1-3)
• Points: Usually 0
• Bonus: 1 permanent gem
• Purpose: Build your engine foundation

Level 2 Cards (30 cards)

• Cost: 2-6 gems (requires matching bonuses)
• Points: Usually 1-3
• Bonus: 1 permanent gem
• Purpose: Score points while extending engine

Level 3 Cards (20 cards)

• Cost: 3-14 gems (needs strong engine)
• Points: Usually 3-5
• Bonus: 1 permanent gem
• Purpose: High-point purchases to reach 15

Game Variations

Splendor: Cities of Splendor (Expansion)

• 4 modules that can be mixed and matched
• Trading Posts: Earn special abilities through development
• Cities: New victory condition cards worth extra points
• Orient: Special development cards with unique powers

Splendor Duel (2-Player)

• Designed specifically for 2 players
• Adds pearls as a new gem type
• Shared board with strategic token placement
• New noble mechanics

Game History

Origins

• Designed by Marc André and published by Space Cowboys in 2014
• André wanted to create a game with simple rules but deep strategic choices
• The Renaissance gem merchant theme fits the elegant gameplay perfectly

Awards and Recognition

• Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2014
• Won the Golden Geek Award for Best Card Game
• Over 2 million copies sold worldwide
• Available in 20+ languages
• Widely considered a perfect gateway game

Statistics

• Designed for 2-4 players (best with 3-4)
• 40 gem tokens (7 per color + 5 gold)
• 90 development cards (3 tiers)
• 10 noble tiles
• 15 points to trigger end game
• Nobles worth 3 points each
• Max 10 tokens in hand
• Max 3 reserved cards
• Over 2 million copies sold
• Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2014
• Typical game duration 30-45 minutes
• Suitable for ages 10 and up
• Designed by Marc André
• Published by Space Cowboys

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