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Medieval Merchant

Build medieval trade routes to seize the richest markets while forcing rivals into the leftovers.

You establish trade routes between medieval cities, racing to claim the most valuable markets while shoving rivals into the leftovers. Cities have limited room for business branches, so you weigh building up within a lucrative city against reaching out to open new routes elsewhere. Add too many branches and you dilute your own value, so it's a constant balance of influence versus income.

Force rivals into the less valuable marketsBranches boost influence but dilute your valueMeaty balance of income versus control

Who it's for

Fans of heavier economic Euros who enjoy tight positional play on a shared map and squeezing opponents out of the best markets.

Not for you if…

You want something light or quick, or dislike direct competition for map position. Its dated pacing and scarcity may deter newcomers.

Vibe's take

A weighty, positional economic game where every branch is a trade-off between income now and lasting market influence.

#3,885 on BGG

of over 30,000 ranked board games

Published 1998 Β· 28 years ago

older than 94% of games

In 1,761 collections

collected more than 31% of games

2–6 players Β· ages 12+

Best with 6

60–90 min

longer than 77% of games Β· typical 30–90 min

Complexity: demanding

Takes some learning Β· 3.1 out of 5 Β· heavier than 86%

Opinions: usual spread

A normal range of ratings

Language: no text

Playable without the language

Play style: competitive

Theme & categories