Ethnos
- Players
- 2-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.1 / 5
- Year
- 2017
About the game
In Ethnos, two to six players draft cards representing fantasy tribes - giants, merfolk, halflings, minotaurs, and more - deciding each turn whether to recruit another ally or play a band of them to claim territory. Playing a band triggers that tribe's unique power and places a token in a matching region, competing for glory tokens awarded at the end of each of the game's three ages. The push-your-luck tension of when to cash in your hand is central to the game. A quick sixty-minute playtime and colorful presentation make it approachable for a wide range of groups.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli enjoys how smoothly Ethnos scales from two to six players while keeping decisions crisp and colorful. The push-your-luck hand management gives it real bite despite its light-to-mid weight, making it a great pick for mixed gaming groups.
What we like
- Colorful, varied tribe powers create high replayability.
- Elegant push-your-luck hand management.
- Scales smoothly from two to six players.
- Quick sixty-minute playtime.
Keep in mind
- Some tribe combinations can feel unbalanced.
- Moderate luck in card draws.
- Limited direct player interaction.
Who it's for
Families and casual-to-mid-weight gamers aged 10+ who enjoy set collection and light area control, in groups of two to six.
