Five Tribes board game cover
Exceptional consensus · 3 organizations

Five Tribes

Bruno Cathala · Days of Wonder · 2014

Mancala-style meeple movement across tiles. Your last meeple determines your action. A brain-burner disguised as a family game.

Players

2–4

Time

80 min

Ages

13+

Difficulty

Medium

See buying options →

Why you'll like it

How it plays

Five Tribes is played on a grid of tiles, each covered with colored wooden meeples representing five tribes. Players bid for turn order, then pick up all the meeples on one tile and drop them one by one along a path, like the classic game mancala. The last meeple must land on a tile with a matching color, and you take all of that color from the tile.

Each tribe does something different: some earn coins, some assassinate other meeples, some let you collect goods or summon djinns with powerful abilities. Emptying a tile lets you claim it with a camel. The puzzle of finding the best move is the heart of the game, and there's a lot to see on each turn.

May not be for you if…

Best for

Puzzle loversanalytical thinkersstrategy gamers

Awards

Appears in

Where to buy

We may earn a commission through retailer links. This doesn't affect our recommendations.

Common questions

How long does Five Tribes take?

About 80 minutes once everyone knows the rules.

How many people can play Five Tribes?

It plays 2 to 4 players.

What age is Five Tribes for?

The publisher recommends ages 13 and up.

Is Five Tribes good for people who get overwhelmed by choices?

It can cause long thinking turns because there are many possible moves. It's best with players who enjoy puzzles.

If you like Five Tribes, try