Favor of the Pharaoh
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 13+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.0 / 5
- Year
- 2015
About the game
Favor of the Pharaoh is a dice-building game from designer Thomas Lehmann in which 2-4 players climb the ranks of ancient Egyptian society by gathering influence through dice and special powers. Players acquire new dice and abilities that let them add, reroll, or otherwise manipulate their pool as they push toward the Queen's favor. Once someone reaches that milestone, all players enter a final contest, rolling off for the Pharaoh's ultimate favor. With over a hundred tiles and dozens of custom dice, the game offers a strong variety of engine-building paths each session.
Hobbli's Notes
This is a satisfying dice-engine game that scratches the same itch as deck-building games but with dice instead of cards. The tension of racing toward the Queen's favor while building the best possible final roll is a clever structural hook. It rewards players who can plan a few steps ahead for that climactic final contest. Recommended for fans of dice-manipulation games looking for something with real strategic teeth.
What we like
- Deep dice-manipulation engine-building with lots of variety.
- The climactic final roll-off creates a strong dramatic payoff.
- High component variety keeps sessions from feeling repetitive.
- Rewards forward planning despite the dice-based randomness.
Keep in mind
- Dice randomness can feel swingy for players who prefer determinism.
- Setup with the many tiles and dice types takes some time.
- The final contest can feel anticlimactic if one player pulls far ahead earlier.
Who it's for
Good for strategy gamers aged 13 and up who enjoy dice-building and engine-building games, in groups of 2-4.
