BoardGameArchiveIstanbul Ruby & Victory Rules: Costs, Sources and Game End
Understand Istanbul Big Box ruby acquisition, changing costs, mosque and palace routes, player-count victory targets and the end-of-round procedure.
Rubies are Istanbul’s race objective. Different locations provide them through different resource or upgrade requirements.
Rubies are Istanbul’s race objective. Different locations provide them through different resource or upgrade requirements.
Key takeaway
Understand Istanbul Big Box ruby acquisition, changing costs, mosque and palace routes, player-count victory targets and the end-of-round procedure.
About this guide
Original how to play explanations, supporting links and source notes are preserved in the sections below.
Topics covered
Ruby sources
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Costs can increase
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Permanent upgrades can produce rubies
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Player-count target
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Ruby sources
Base-game rubies can come from locations such as the Sultan’s Palace, Gemstone Dealer and Mosque-related progression, with Big Box modules adding further opportunities.
Costs can increase
Some ruby tracks show escalating prices. When one is taken, the next ruby on that source can require more goods or money.
Permanent upgrades can produce rubies
Completing the relevant Mosque-tile sets or other upgrade conditions can award a ruby while also improving your merchant engine.
Player-count target
The number of rubies required to trigger game end depends on player count and any specific module rules used in the Big Box setup.
Triggering the end
When a player reaches the required ruby count, complete the official end-of-round/final-turn sequence before declaring the winner.
Ties
If multiple players finish with the same ruby count, apply the Big Box rulebook’s tiebreak procedure using the prescribed resources and remaining assets.