Terra Mystica is a game where players build bridges using the 3 power action. To build a bridge, players need to build a normal bridge connecting hexes J2-I3 and attach it to a Land Bridge that begins in J3. This bridge leads along a river (water hex between J2 and J3). Players can build bridges in the first 3 or 4 rounds using the spade bonus card and Power Token action/conversion (to spade).
Building a Stronghold before reaching round 4 maximizes Victory Points. By moving 3 Power tokens from Bowl III to Bowl I, players can build a Bridge over a River space by having a Structure on at least one of the Terrain spaces. When building a Dwelling or upgrading a Structure, players must inform the owners of Structures directly adjacent to theirs that they may gain Power.
To determine the total number of bridges, players can convert any remaining resources into coins and earn 1 point for every 3 coins. The largest direct and indirect adjacent points are determined by converting any remaining resources into coins.
For the first game, Terra Mystica recommends playing with predefined factions and distributing them among players. Engineers can use fully-charged power tokens from bowl number III to buy perks like 3 power to build bridges. When the Bridge Tower is placed, Engineers gain the ability to build Land Bridges, which must start at one of the six corners of the Bridge Tower and lead along the shared edge of two Terrain spaces adjacent to that corner.
Players can only build a total of three Bridges, and they cannot remove the bridge after it’s built. Burning power doesn’t speed up cycling, so players may want to take additional power token-related bonuses.
In conclusion, Terra Mystica is a game of deep contemplation with two ways of looking at it. Building a Stronghold and earning 3 Victory Points for each Bridge connecting two structures is a satisfying strategy.
📹 UG to Engi – part 4: building order and bridges strategy
📹 How to Play Terra Mystica
Learn how to play Terra Mystica in five minutes or less or more! Develop your magical faction and transform the land around you …
Great article again! Agree with everything you said about bridges with engies. Funny thing, yesterday I played a game with Engies and Giants were in the game. Early on, they were threatening to get key hexes both central and on the eastern continent, so I did a lot of digging in the first 3 rounds while at the same time the 3 other factions were rushing for water 1, so I missed it. But fortunately, round 4 was a big building round and the big building pass tile was available, so I passed for it and built the SH round 4 for 9 VP, plus 24 VP out of bridges (6+9+9 last 3 rounds). So it was 33 VP out of 5w (SH + 1 bridge) + 6c (SH) + 6pw (2 bridges), which in this very situational case was a good trade off as the bridges were needed anyway for town making purposes in this Giants-spreading game. So when I saw your slide on bridges saying big buildings round 4 while missing on a scoring tile may be a good time to use the bridge strategy, I couldn’t agree more with you! What a coincidence haha
Probably the best Terra Mystica tutorial I’ve seen, and thankfully the shortest! None of my friends will watch long articles, so this is brill!! I do wish u had spent another 15s explaining how power leeching works with an example. Is there anyway to cut + stitch another 15s to explain this? Even if it’s at the end. Great work anyway thanks!!