Step into the medieval world of Flanders in 1302, where guilds compete for influence and control over the cities. In this strategic tile-placement game, players take on the role of one of the competing guilds, using careful planning and tactical decisions to shape the cities of Flanders.
Each player represents a city color and has a unique set of tiles in three different shapes, as well as a deck of city and action cards. On their turn, players play a card to place a tile, either from their personal set or from the neutral or church tiles available. However, tiles of the same color cannot touch, forcing strategic placement to expand cities while maximizing control. Church tiles play a crucial role, allowing cities to grow and influencing the final scores.
When a city is completed, points are awarded based on tile majority, with the dominant guild receiving the highest score and other players earning proportional rewards. Interestingly, neutral tiles can sometimes outscore individual players, adding an extra layer of tactical depth. Action cards allow players to retrieve discards, delay tile placement for future turns, or manipulate turn order, creating dynamic and competitive gameplay. Additionally, draw deck cards can be saved for bonus points at the end, making long-term strategy just as important as immediate moves.
Designed by Wolfgang Panning, who spent over two years perfecting the game, Vlaanderen 1302 brings the historic struggle of city guilds to life. Inspired by real medieval factions such as the Weavers, this game blends careful planning, strategic tile placement, and competitive maneuvering into an engaging civilization-building experience. Will you rise to power or be outmaneuvered by rival guilds?
Manufacturer: Queen Games
Year Manufactured: 2005
Item Weight: 1.89 pounds
Item UPC: 4010350604120
This game is about the struggle for power and influence in cities by the competing guilds of the age. Players represent one city colour & have a set of tiles in 3 shapes in your colour and a set of cards for each city plus 4 action cards. You play a card and place a tile either from your set or from the church or neutral sets. The starting player also first draws a card from a central deck which effectively gives them an extra move. Tiles of the same colour cannot touch and the church tiles allow cities to expand.
When a city is completed, it is scored. The colour with the most tiles gets the 1st score, the second colour gets half that, the next gets 4 points and the fourth colour gets 2 pts. Therefore it is possible for the neutral colour to score more points than players. The score is a total of the tiles in the city, plus one for each church, plus one for each cathedral place.
The action cards let you pick up your discards, place a tile to be fixed later, and go first twice (which are discarded). The draw deck cards can be held to score extra points at the end.
At first the game seems pedestrian, but within a few turns the possibilities become more obvious. Judicious use of the pick-up and turn order cards make a big difference. Not spreading too widely and using the neutral tiles to devalue other cities also matters.
An interesting placement game that the designer Wolfgang Panning took 2 1/2 years to complete. The choice of Flanders mattered to him because the theme is of city guilds, such as Weavers, who fought to control the cities.