Ra
Official Description:
Ra is an auction and set-collection game set in Ancient Egypt. Players take turns drawing tiles from a bag and adding them to a central auction track, or invoking an auction by calling "Ra." During auctions, players use their limited supply of sun tokens to bid for the current set of tiles, which can include pharaohs, monuments, floods, and disasters. The game is played over three epochs, with each epoch ending when the Ra track fills or the tiles run out.
Throughout the game, players must balance the timing of their bids and manage their sun tokens carefully, as each token can only be used once per epoch. The tiles collected offer various ways to score points, such as sets of monuments, the presence of pharaohs, and the avoidance of disasters. The interplay between risk, timing, and competition for valuable tiles creates a dynamic and strategic experience.
Ra is renowned for its elegant mechanics and tense gameplay, requiring players to make meaningful decisions with limited resources. The combination of auction dynamics and set collection, along with the thematic integration of Ancient Egyptian culture, has made Ra a classic in modern board gaming.
Ra’s tactical core is a relentless auction engine that rewards sharp timing and calculated risk. The push-your-luck tension is immediate—every tile draw and “Ra” call ratchets up the stakes, forcing players to weigh incomplete sets against the threat of losing out entirely. The sun disk economy is a punishing constraint; each bid is a one-shot decision per epoch, so veterans are constantly scanning the table for value and tempo. This is why Ra is seeing constant play in the collection: it’s a fast, high-stakes contest that never feels stale, and the blend of open information and hidden tile draws keeps even seasoned groups on edge.
Physically, Ra is a bit of a storage puzzle. The box is larger than it needs to be, and the tile stacks demand careful layering if you want the lid to sit flush—especially in the 25th Anniversary or Phalanx editions, where the components are satisfyingly hefty. Setup is straightforward but not instant; expect about 15 minutes to get everything sorted and ready. Once on the table, Ra commands attention and works best as a main event for the night. It’s not a filler—this is a centerpiece game that deserves a full hour and a focused group.
From a teaching standpoint, Ra is refreshingly direct. The rules break down into three core actions, and most players are comfortable by the second round. The trick is to highlight the scoring split between Nile and Civilization tiles, and to make sure everyone understands how the sun disk exchange works at the end of each epoch. Once the first auction fires, the table energy spikes—competitive interaction is constant, and you can usually step away to manage other tables without worry. The game’s structure keeps everyone engaged, and the auction dynamic ensures there’s always something at stake, making it a reliable anchor for any game night.
Category
Tactical & Strategy
My score
9
Our Total Plays
12
Last PLayed
23 Nov 25
🚀 High Velocity
Player Count
2-5
Playtime
60 mins
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