7 Wonders Duel

7 Wonders Duel is a two-player strategy game that expands on the iconic 7 Wonders experience. Players compete to build prosperous civilizations by acquiring cards that provide resources, promote military and scientific advances, and help build wonders. Unlike its predecessor, 7 Wonders Duel features a card selection system where players choose from a row of displayed cards, rather than cards in hand. This creates a dynamic of planning and anticipation, as each available card may be covered by others, making choices more strategic. Players have the option of constructing buildings, discarding cards in exchange for coins or developing one of their four wonders, with the challenge of only building seven in total. Resources are a critical element in the game; players can acquire them from the bank or through cards won, but the cost increases for the opponent as these resources are acquired. This not only adds a layer of strategy, but also encourages competition for control of certain areas. There are three ways to win: advance the military marker to the opponent's capital, obtain all six science symbols, or, if none of these conditions are met, accumulate the most points at the end of the game. With an accessible complexity, 7 Wonders Duel provides an intense and in-depth experience that challenges players to adapt and explore their strategies throughout the game. Nominated for the Ludopedia Expert Game of the Year Award 2017 and the Ludopedia Expert Game of the Year Award 2017 - Popular Vote. Complexity: 2.22 / 5 (BGG 12/04/2023)

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

7 Wonders Duel is a card game for two players. The game is divided into three eras, each represented by a specific deck. At the start of each era, the cards are arranged in a specific pattern on the table.

Players take turns drawing cards. The cards can be bought for a cost in coins, built for free or used to build Wonders, depending on the symbols and abilities. The cards represent structures that offer resources, military, science or victory points.

The aim is to dominate your opponent through military supremacy, scientific supremacy or having the most points at the end of the third era. Military supremacy is achieved by pushing the marker on the conflict board into the enemy base. Scientific supremacy requires collecting six different scientific emblems. If no one achieves supremacy first, the points count decides the winner.

The appropriate choice of cards and strategic planning are necessary to ensure control of resources, science development and military strength while blocking the opponent's options.

Main objective

The main objective of the 7 Wonders Duel game is to outdo your opponent by accumulating more victory points by developing a civilization through the strategic acquisition of cards representing structures, resources, scientific innovations and military conquests. Players use these cards to build their Wonders, increase their military power or advance scientific progress, winning the match by military supremacy, scientific supremacy or by having the highest score at the end of the three eras.

Tips for playing 7 Wonders Duel

Here are some tips for doing better in the game 7 Wonders Duel:

• Prioritize science to achieve scientific victory, but maintain a balance with other areas.
• Always look at the board of accessible cards, both for your moves and to block your opponent.
• Don't neglect resources, build cards that offer basic resources at the start.
• Keep an eye on military progress; it can be decisive both for you and against you.
• Use the wonders' special ability at the most strategic moment possible.
• Adapt your strategy according to the development of the game and your opponent's choices.
• Control which cards the opponent can access; eliminate the most advantageous ones for them if possible.
• Manage your coins efficiently, avoiding situations where you run out of funds.
• Focus on developing a clear strategy from the start, but be willing to readjust it as the game progresses.

Video about the game

Mechanics of 7 Wonders Duel

• Collecting Sets: In 7 Wonders Duel, players collect cards divided into three eras. The cards are of different types, such as resources, civil, scientific and military buildings. Collecting cards of the same type can generate bonuses and strategic advantages. For example, scientific cards collected in pairs of identical symbols contribute to scientific advances, and collecting unique symbols can lead to scientific victory.
• Component layers: The cards of each era are arranged in different layouts, with some cards partially covering others. Many cards remain closed until they are accessible by removing cards below them, requiring planning to control the whereabouts of strategic cards and what is revealed to the opponent.
• Open Buy: Players alternate turns by selecting cards from the visible game table. Some card layouts are initially closed, but by releasing adjacent cards, they become accessible. This mechanic adds a strategic element, where players must weigh up the release of options for themselves while avoiding giving their opponent an advantage.
• Tug-of-war: The military mechanics are represented by a marker on the conflict board. Red cards advance this marker towards the opponent's capital, and if someone reaches the opposing capital, they win immediately. The balance between seeking military victory or defending against it is one of the tensions at the heart of the game.
• Players with Different Skills: Each player can build Wonders, which grant unique special abilities when completed. These abilities range from being able to play again to receiving resources and coins. The strategic choice of which Wonders to build can define the player's strengths and overall strategy.
• End by Sudden Death: Although the main game lasts three eras, it can end instantly if any player achieves a military or scientific victory. The military victory occurs if the conflict marker reaches the opponent's capital, while the scientific victory results from collecting six different scientific tokens.
• Trees / Technology Trails: Advances in scientific cards generate significant strategic interactions. By collecting sets of scientific symbols, players unlock Scientific Progress, unique advantages such as replayability or resource efficiency, and potentially activate Scientific Victory.
• End of game bonus: At the end of the third era, if no player has achieved victory by sudden death, the game enters a points count. Points are added up for civil buildings, Wonders, accumulated resources and scientific progress. The diversity and efficiency of the card selection directly influences the total score.
• Multipurpose cards: Many cards in the game offer more than one function. For example, resource cards can be used to build future cards or Wonders. This flexibility requires planning to balance the immediate use of the cards with their long-term benefits.

Game components 7 Wonders Duel

See all the items in the game below 7 Wonders Duel:

• Game board
• 23 Letters from the First Era
• 23 Letters from the Second Era
• 20 Letters from the Third Age
• 7 Association charters
• 12 Wonder Cards
• 4 Conflict Tokens
• 10 Advance Tokens
• 1 Conflict marker
• 31 Coins (14 of value 1, 10 of value 3 and 7 of value 6)
• 1 Notepad for Counting Points
• 1 instruction manual
• 1 Player Reference Sheet

Additional Information

• Ludopedia link: https://ludopedia.com.br/jogo/7-wonders-duel
• Link Tabletopia:
• Amazon Brazil link: Comprar 7 Wonders Duel
• Amazon USA link: Comprar 7 Wonders Duel