The thrill of gem trading just got a shimmering update with the Splendor: The Orient expansion, and I just couldn’t wait to dive in and tell you all about it!

The core mechanics of Splendor remain wonderfully intact—players still aim to gather gem tokens to purchase development cards, which earn prestige points and attract noble patrons. However, The Orient expansion adds a delightful twist with a new set of special cards that introduce unique strategic opportunities and challenges.

This expansion brings three decks with the same 1 dot, 2 dot or 3 dots of the regular Splendor decks. The Orient cards that sit alongside the regular development card rows. Each Orient card provides special abilities or alternative ways to score points, such as cards that allow you to take extra gem tokens, reserve an extra card for free, or even convert gems into points at a more advantageous rate. These cards are game-changers, giving you more paths to outwit your competitors and craft your strategy.

How It’s Different:
Playing with The Orient expansion fundamentally enriches the strategic depth of Splendor. You’re not just collecting gems to buy cards; you’re also planning how to best utilize these new Orient cards to enhance your gem empire. The expansion offers more variety and tactical decisions, which keeps the game fresh and engaging, even for seasoned players. Let’s look at a few cards in The Orient expansion.

Take a peek at the cards shown above. The one on the left doesn’t offer a permanent gem, but you can exchange it for two shiny gold tokens. Meanwhile, the card on the right is quite a gem—it lets you add one permanent gem to a collection you already cherish.

Check out the cards above 2-dot cards. The one on the left flaunts two permanent sapphire gems—true blue treasures. Over on the right, we have a versatile card that not only adds a gem to your existing collection but also lets you choose any 1-dot card.

Take a peek at these lovely 3-dot cards! Each one not only lets you snag a 2-dot card but also gifts you a permanent gem, as shown right on the card. How splendid is that?

Here’s my favorite card! When you snag this beauty, you not only grab a gem but also get to reserve a Noble card, which is a huge tactical boon. Picture this scenario: your opponent is eyeing the card in the photo below on the right, which costs four onyx gems and four rubies. You anticipate they’ll go for the Noble card next turn. So, you cleverly use two white, two blue, two green, and two onyx gems to acquire this card. Now, you can reserve the Noble card of your choice, keeping it secret until you’re ready to make your purchase.

The Splendor: The Orient expansion is a treasure trove of strategic possibilities that breathes new life into the beloved base game. The addition of Orient cards allows for more varied and dynamic gameplay, offering fresh challenges and exciting opportunities to flex your strategic muscles. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore enthusiast, this expansion is a brilliant way to spice up your Splendor experience. The box with the expansion comes with three different expansions, and it does require the Splendor base game.

Here are the rules if you want even more information on the game.

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