The Great Harbor
The Great Harbor at your next game night?
Add The Great Harbor to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Matteo De Nardis
- Publisher Archona Games
- Illustration Daniel Cunha
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You play as a Roman governor building ships, structures and influence in a Mediterranean colony. Over multiple rounds you draft dice from a common pool and place them as workers on harbor tiles to perform actions: gather resources, schedule workers for shipbuilding, expand colony capacity, trade along the Mediterranean and face Cilician pirates. After six rounds, points are scored for ships, buildings, senate influence and objectives.
Who Is This Game For?
A mid-weight (kenn erspiel) title aimed at players comfortable with drafting and dice-placement mechanics, recommended from age 13. With about 120 minutes playtime it fits players who enjoy longer, strategic sessions and some prior experience with engine-building or drafting games.
How It Works
Each round players draft dice from a shared pool (Action Drafting, Dice Rolling) and use them as workers on a modular harbor board (Modular Board). Dice must match the color of a slot and their face value determines action strength. Available actions include gaining resources, assigning workers for ship construction, increasing colony capacity and sending ships to trade. Multi-Use Cards and Variable Player Powers add tactical variety and multiple paths to victory.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Matteo De Nardis, The Great Harbor pairs Dice-Worker mechanics with a Modular Board and Action Drafting. The inclusion of Multi-Use Cards and Variable Player Powers creates diverse strategic options and replay value. The ancient Mediterranean/Carthage theme anchors the economic and naval focus.
Pro
- Blend of Action Drafting and Worker Placement with Dice Workers
- Modular board increases replayability
- Multi-Use Cards and Variable Player Powers enable varied strategies
- Clear historical trade and naval theme
Contra
- 120 minutes makes it a longer play for casual groups
- Multiple interacting mechanics raise the learning curve for new players
Setting & atmosphere
The game is set in the ancient Mediterranean, centered on a Roman colony interacting with the Great Harbor of Carthage. Trade routes, shipbuilding and pirate threats form the thematic backbone.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on basic resource generation and shipbuilding, and use the drafting phase to secure dice that match your short-term plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports solo play, as it is listed for 1–4 players.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 120 minutes; setup and explanation will extend total time.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with drafting, worker placement or engine-building mechanics is beneficial.
How does this compare to similar games?
It combines dice drafting with a modular board and multi-use cards, emphasizing dice-placement strength and card versatility.
Is this suitable for families?
Given the complexity and age recommendation of 13+, it is better suited to older family members or experienced players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The central mechanic is the combination of Action Drafting and Worker Placement with Dice Workers.
Fazit
The Great Harbor is a strategic mid-weight game for players who enjoy dice-placement and drafting decisions. Best for groups ready for a 120-minute session focused on trade and shipbuilding.
The Great Harbor at your next game night?
Add The Great Harbor to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add The Great Harbor to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
