Lost Cities: Exploradores is an exhilarating card game from the acclaimed Kosmos two-player series that invites you to embark on thrilling archaeological adventures! Get ready to explore exciting expeditions with a vibrant deck featuring six colorful suits. Originally designed with five colors and ranks ranging from 2 to 10, each suit now includes three special 'handshakes' that enhance your strategic gameplay. With the addition of an optional sixth color since 2019, players can now craft even more clever maneuvers. Setup is a breeze, thanks to a handy board that organizes discarded cards and player collections, ensuring every game is streamlined and intuitive. Your goal? Maximize your points by launching profitable archaeological expeditions! On each turn, you can either add a card to your expedition or discard it into the appropriate pile. Remember, cards must be played in ascending order, though they do not need to be consecutive. The unique handshakes, representing key investments in your expeditions, are vital for your scoring strategy and can significantly boost your scores! As the game progresses, players alternate turns until the last card is drawn from the deck. At that moment, any remaining cards in hand are discarded, and it's time to score your expeditions. Each expedition starts with a penalty of -20 points, so you'll need to play at least 20 points worth of cards to break even! The handshakes serve as multipliers—one handshake doubles the expedition's value, two handshakes triple it, and with three handshakes, you quadruple your score! On top of that, aim for a 20-point bonus for expeditions that contain at least eight cards. Lost Cities: Exploradores unfolds over three matches, combining scores from each to determine the overall winner. Here are a few scenarios that illustrate strategic scoring: Example 1: An expedition totaling 30 points (from cards 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10) yields a final score of 10 points: 30 points for cards, minus the initial -20. Example 2: An expedition with 2 handshakes and cards 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 totaling 40 points results in an exceptional score of 80 points: 40 points for cards, plus the initial -20, multiplied by 3, plus the 20-point bonus for playing 8 or more cards. Example 3: An expedition with 1 handshake and cards totaling 17 results in a score of -6: 17 points for cards, minus the initial -20, multiplied by 2. Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of Lost Cities: Exploradores? Experience the thrill of strategic card play and the excitement of discovery today!
