Splendor is a fantastic game for fans of strategy and predicting opponents’ moves. Players take on the roles of gemstone collectors racing to become the most prestigious jeweler. The goal is to reach 15+ prestige points as quickly as possible. To achieve this, you gather gems to purchase development cards, which grant permanent gem bonuses and 1–5 victory points. Once you accumulate enough gem bonuses in specific colors, nobles (worth 3 victory points each) will join your team, accelerating your victory. While playing the game try to understand it as a tempo game (finishing the game as quickly as possible), not an engine builder (collecting cheap level 1 cards for the cheapest value)

The opening phase determines your strategy. Focus on the two most reliable key elements for scoring high-value cards as quickly as possible:

1. Level 3 Cards: Prioritize colors that overlap with noble requirements or underutilized colors (often 1–2 "weak" colors with fewer high-value cards).
2. Nobles: Identify nobles whose gem requirements align with high-tier (Level 3) cards.

First Moves:

• Collect gems strategically. In a 4-player game, only 35 gems are available, so players can’t hoard indefinitely.
• Prioritize purchasing Level 1 development cards (costing 2–3 gems) in your target colors. Avoid "free" cards (those costing 0 gems) unless they fit your long-term plan.
• Hold gems early for flexibility. Even if you can buy a card, waiting for better options often pays off.

Common Newbie Mistake:

• Grabbing "free" cards (e.g., a Black card costing 0 gems) without a strategy clogs your engine. Meanwhile, opponents who invest in targeted cards will outpace you. If Level 1 cards deplete too quickly, you’re stuck playing catch-up.

Once you’ve secured 7–8 key development cards, shift focus to scoring:

• Buy cards in colors needed for nobles or high-tier cards.
• Choose between steady 1–3 point cards or aggressive 4–5 point Level 3 cards.
• Gem Manipulation: Hoarding a color (e.g., 5 Greens) limits opponents’ access, protecting your investments.

Reserve cards in three scenarios:

1. To secure a game-winning card early.
2. To avoid wasting gems when holding 8–9 (max allowed).
3. To block an opponent from claiming a critical high-value card.

 

Color Relationships & Diagrams

• White Arrows: Indicate dependencies (e.g., White gems are needed to buy Black cards; Blue gems are needed for White cards).
• Black Arrows: Highlight opposing colors with little synergy (e.g., White vs. Green/Red). These often appear as costs for Level 1 cards.
• Twin/Triplet Colors: Nobles frequently require adjacent colors (e.g., Red-Green-Blue). Prioritize early colors in these groups (e.g., Red before Blue).

1. Adapt: If your target colors aren’t appearing, pivot to high-point cards or new colors.
2. Diversify Gems: Holding all gem types pressures opponents, even if you can’t buy immediately, which works exceptionally well in the 2-player game.
3. Track Reserved Cards: Note the colors opponents reserve to anticipate their plans.
4. Nobles Win Games: Approximately 60% of victories involve securing at least one noble. Don’t ignore them!
5. Force Opponents to Block: Let rivals waste moves reserving cards you want.
6. 2-Player Domination: Locking a gem color is devastating.
7. Memorize the Diagram: Understanding color relationships is key to long-term planning.

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Splendor Strategy

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