Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala

Crossing into the Land of 1001 Nights, your caravan arrives at the fabled Sultanate of Naqala. The old sultan just died and control of Naqala is up for grabs! The oracles foretold of strangers who would maneuver the Five Tribes to gain influence over the legendary city-state. Will you fulfill the prophecy? Invoke the old Djinns and move the Tribes into position at the right time, and the Sultanate may become yours!

Designed by Bruno Cathala, Five Tribes builds on a long tradition of German-style games that feature wooden meeples. Here, in a unique twist on the now-standard “worker placement” genre, the game begins with the meeples already in place – and players must cleverly maneuver them over the villages, markets, oases, and sacred places tiles that make up Naqala. How, when, and where you dis-place these Five Tribes of Assassins, Elders, Builders, Merchants, and Viziers determine your victory or failure.

As befitting a Days of Wonder game, the rules are straightforward and easy to learn. But devising a winning strategy will take a more calculated approach than our standard fare. You need to carefully consider what moves can score you well and put your opponents at a disadvantage. You need to weigh many different pathways to victory, including the summoning of powerful Djinns that may help your cause as you attempt to control this legendary Sultanate.

Awards & Honors

2015 SXSW Tabletop Game of the Year Nominee

2015 Lys Passioné Winner

2015 Lys Passioné Finalist

2015 JUG Adult Game of the Year Finalist

2015 International Gamers Award – General Strategy: Multi-player Nominee

2015 As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année Nominee

2015 As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année Grand Prix Winner

2014 Tric Trac Nominee

2014 Tric Trac d’Or

2014 Meeples Choice Award Nominee

2014 Jocul Anului în România Advanced Winner

2014 Jocul Anului în România Advanced Finalist

2014 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game Nominee

2014 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee

2014 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Winner

2014 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee

2014 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation Nominee

2014 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year Winner

2014 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year Nominee

2014 Board Game Quest Awards Best Strategy/Euro Game Nominee