We need priests and priestesses! – a review of additions to the board game “Teotihuacan” – “Late pre-classical period” and “In the shadow of Xitle”.

A new era, a few paragraphs with a big addition

The late pre-classical period introduces five modules. You can both play with only one ingredient and introduce all of them into the game:

1. Priests and Priestesses – this expansion significantly affects the game, because each player gets a board with a special ability. Thus, apart from changes in the distribution of starting resources, each player will have different options from the beginning. This can be, for example, a boost to an action, a cheaper cost of an action, or additional points. However, most characters also have some negative effect. In my opinion, this is the best addition because it affects the style of the game, but in my opinion some characters are uneven. For example, Xochipilli cannot perform rituals at all, and I think that is too much of a restriction. Theoretically, this disadvantage is compensated by cheaper technology, but worse when you hit a few technology tiles that are useful only in rituals.
2. The power of development – in addition to the three basic temples, a fourth appears. It is harder to advance on it, but it offers special abilities. They are quite interesting, but it would be best to get them in the second round at the latest. Unfortunately, advancing on this track is not the easiest one. For me, three basic temples are too much, and the fourth is even too many.
3. Progress time – thanks to this add-on, each round will have a special effect, which will usually be a help. I like this module. However, not all effects are equally interesting, especially since there is one blank tile that I don’t think there should be at all. Since we play with this expansion, it’s probably because something happens in each round.
4. The Association of Architects and the Planners’ Seat – these are the last extensions that change the rules of operation of the two places. Namely, from now on it will be more difficult to build and decorate temples. A very good extension that makes the quality of our workers ultimately more important than the quantity.

New technologies, i.e. a few words about a small addition

In the shadows, Xitle introduces new technologies and additional starting tiles (they determine the initial bonuses). The former are definitely better because they introduce unusual effects. Overall, this addition essentially only increases replayability. It does not knock you down for the price, but on the other hand, there are some really interesting technologies here. For example, new technology can make building houses even more profitable or allow us to exchange resources when we walk through the Palace.

Have I become Aztec?

The additions to Teotihuacan do not fundamentally change the core of the game, they are rather small variations. We still mainly collect raw materials, build a pyramid, build houses, and also perform rituals. A smaller addition basically only expands the pool of technologies. Seemingly a good thing, on the other hand, it is rather a supplement only for people who play Teotihuacana very often . Late pre-classical periodit already contains much more interesting elements. Nevertheless, not all are created equal. In my opinion, the best module is the first module, i.e. Priests and Priestesses. The additional possibilities and restrictions imposed on players refresh this game significantly. The power of development is a nice diversion. In one round, it will be more profitable to go to the pyramid, and in another you won’t be so worried about cocoa. The Architects ‘Association and the Planners’ Seat works great, but somewhere I have a feeling that these boards should be in the base from the beginning. On the other hand, The Power of Development, in my opinion, promises a lot, but does not bring much. Moving on the temple tracks is an important part of the game, but over-focusing on them is pointless. And that’s what it is with this temple, some of the effects are strong, but honestly I prefer to go into technology.

Here comes the Eclipse, the final wrap-up!

Teotihuacan is a great title. I do not recommend starting your adventure with eurograms with him, because he is quite demanding, but after the first game it is easy to get into it and then you can simply enjoy its love. I am delighted with this board game, I will always be happy to play it. It is true that it takes up quite a lot of space, and its disassembly takes at least a dozen or so minutes, but Teotihuacan will always save those two hours, because I know that I will spend a good time with it. The stand itself is perfect and I will be as happy to play without additions as with them. Nevertheless, the replayability with extensions increases significantly. Nice variety, but the truth is that the stand was not lacking anything. However, in the Late Pre-Classic Period extensionthere are some interesting and valuable innovations, so if someone has lost the stand, it is worth investing in this add-on. All the more so if he likes to take on Teotibot, the Late Pre-Classic Period introduces six characters that greatly influence his behavior. In my opinion, W cieniu Xitle offers little, but if you find a promotional price, it’s worth it for the sake of new technologies.

PS: Both add-ons fit easily into the stand, so you can easily get rid of the expansion boxes.