Domus Domini (2015)

About this game

When in 1122 Petrus Venerabilis starts his job as Abbott of Cluny, he finds a difficult economic situation. This is why he asks the monasteries belonging to Cluny to deliver food. In Domus Domini, each player is an abbot who leads such a monastery. Each year (i.e. every round) players produce a yield, then deliver it to Cluny. Petrus Venerabilis uses the revenue from the yields to make life easier for the monks. The player who delivers the highest yield in a round gains the most Glory (victory points). However, he will get the least support (thalers) for further investments. Whoever delivers the lowest yield in a round receives the least Glory, but the most thalers for further investments. Consequently, players need to decide in each round whether they want to earn more thalers in order to invest in the development of their monastery, or to obtain more Glory in order to be the winner in the end. But each player pursues his own plans, so every round brings a scramble for the best ranking on the street to Cluny, which might bring unpleasant surprises to some players.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 6.
• Rules load. At 2.5/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.