Ethnos

Today's review is of the 2017 release, Ethnos.  For 2-6 players, it takes 45-60 minutes.

Overview
You are vying to be the next lord of Ethnos, doing so by exerting your dominance in the six kingdoms.  You'll need bands of various tribes to help you, each of which has a special ability usable only when you name that tribe the leader of a given band.  Choose wisely, and you shall rule.

Each card in Ethnos has a tribe (one of twelve; only six are used in a game) and color (one of the six kingdoms).  Each tribe has a special ability as printed on the cards.  The game is about using bands to add influence in a given kingdom.  A band is a set of cards with either all the same color (with different tribes) OR all the same tribe (with different colors).  The leader of a band- the card you put on top- tells you two things:
- the color shows which kingdom is being influenced
- the tribe shows what special ability you can use when you play the band

examples of tribes and colors; image from here

Simplified Gameplay
Ethnos is played over three ages.  In each age, on your turn you either play a band or draw a card.  If you draw, it can be from the draw deck or face-up pile of cards.  If you play a band, you play it in front of you with leader designated.  If the number of cards in the band meets the requirements for that kingdom at that time, you place a control marker there (this will vary; you can play a band without qualifying for a control marker).  Then you discard your remaining hand, putting it in the face-up pile of cards from which all can draw if they so choose.

game setup; image from here

At the end of each age, the player with the most control markers in a given kingdom gets the points allotted for that kingdom in that age.  In addition, each player gets points ("glory") based on the number of cards in each band that played during that age.  Control markers remain from age to age, but cards are returned and shuffled, starting a new age.  After three ages, the game is over; most glory wins.

control markers in different territories; image from here

Review
This is a good game; surprisingly so.  It takes basic concepts but executes them really well.  It's a set collection/area control game, with enough options (choosing tribe or color for a set), variability (through randomly-selected tribes and victory point values), and twists (through tribe abilities) to make things interesting.  The theme is pasted on, unfortunately, but this is a solid offering.

Rating: A