Days of Wonder is known for producing beautifully designed, approachable strategy games, and Five Tribes is no exception. Designed by Bruno Cathala, this game combines the classic mechanics of Mancala with deep strategic choices, an ever-changing board state, and a unique bidding system that keeps players on their toes. With multiple paths to victory and a satisfying mix of tactics and planning, Five Tribes is a point-salad-style game that rewards clever play. But does its complexity enhance the experience or overwhelm it? Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Game Overview
Player Count & Playtime
Five Tribes plays with 2-4 players and takes around an hour to complete.
Objective
The goal is to score the most points, but unlike many games, you’ll be spending points throughout the game to bid for turn order, making careful resource management a key part of your strategy.
Gameplay Loop
Each round starts with an auction where players bid victory points to determine turn order. On your turn, you’ll pick up all the meeples from a tile and drop them off one at a time in a line, moving from one adjacent tile to another—similar to Mancala. The last meeple you place must match the color of at least one other meeple on the final tile. You then collect all meeples of that color from the tile and activate their ability.
Key Mechanics
- Meeple Powers – Different meeples grant different effects. Some score based on set collection, some allow you to purchase Djinns (which provide unique abilities), some interact with the market for points, and assassins can remove meeples from the board or other players’ holdings.
- Tile Actions – After resolving your meeple action, you activate the tile you landed on. Tiles may increase in value, allow you to purchase goods from the market, or give access to powerful Djinns.
- Tile Control – If you remove the last meeple from a tile, you claim it by placing a camel on it, scoring points at the end of the game.
- Auction/Bidding – Players must bid victory points each round to determine turn order, adding an element of risk versus reward.
- Point Salad – Nearly everything in Five Tribes earns you points, but efficient decision-making is key to winning.
Game End & Scoring
The game ends when either a player places their last camel or no more legal moves remain on the board. Points are scored from controlled tiles, collected meeples, market goods, Djinns, and other in-game actions.
Designer & Publisher
Designed by Bruno Cathala and published by Days of Wonder, Five Tribes is part of what I consider the golden age of Days of Wonder releases, alongside classics like Small World and Ticket to Ride.
What Makes It Stand Out
Five Tribes sets itself apart with its unique blend of mechanics, offering a mix of deep strategy and tactical adaptation. The most striking aspect is its Mancala-inspired movement, where players pick up meeples and redistribute them across the board, creating endless possibilities for clever plays. Unlike traditional worker placement games, where workers are added to the board, here they are already in play, and it’s up to you to manipulate their movement to your advantage.
The bidding system for turn order is another standout feature. Instead of a simple round-robin structure, players must decide how much they’re willing to pay for an earlier turn. This introduces an extra layer of strategy—do you spend points to act first and secure a powerful move, or conserve your resources and adapt to what’s left?
Finally, the point-salad nature of the game means there are numerous ways to score. Whether you focus on acquiring powerful Djinns, controlling valuable tiles, or amassing goods for set collection, you’re constantly evaluating the best way to maximize your score. This flexibility allows for multiple viable strategies and keeps each playthrough fresh.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
✅ Simple Rules, Deep Strategy – While Five Tribes offers plenty of strategic depth, the core rules are relatively straightforward. On your turn, you pick up meeples, drop them off, and activate abilities—simple in concept but rich in decision-making.
✅ Clear Player Aids – The game provides an excellent player aid that clearly explains all the possible actions, including the various Djinn powers. This makes it easy for new players to follow along without constantly referencing the rulebook.
✅ Multiple Paths to Victory – Whether you focus on Djinns, tile control, or set collection, there are many ways to approach the game. This flexibility keeps it engaging and replayable.
Cons:
❌ Analysis Paralysis – With so many possible ways to distribute meeples across the board, turns can slow to a halt as players try to calculate the optimal move while avoiding setting up their opponents for an even better turn.
❌ Bidding Can Feel Punishing – If players overcommit to winning turn order early on, they may find themselves struggling for points later. Managing this balance is part of the strategy, but it can be unforgiving for new players.
Final Thoughts
Despite being just over a decade old, Five Tribes already feels like a classic. It has that timeless quality found in the best Days of Wonder games, with a large, almost comical player aid that reminds me of Small World. While the game offers plenty of room for strategic play, it doesn’t overstay its welcome—rounds move quickly, and the pacing stays engaging throughout.
It plays well at all player counts, feeling tactical at two players and dynamic at four. Best of all, Five Tribes doesn’t demand over-analysis to be enjoyable. Sure, you can map out the perfect move, but sometimes it’s just as fun to grab some meeples, go with your gut, and see where it takes you—because no matter what, you’re earning points. It’s a lighthearted, rewarding experience that still holds up as one of the best in its category.
Where to Buy
Five Tribes is available from a variety of online retailers. Here are some places where you can grab your own copy as well as other Days of Wonder classics I recommend:
You can also find more information and reviews about the game on its official BoardGameGeek page.
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Played it? Loved it? Hated it? Let’s hear it!