Ethnos

In Ethnos the players send elves, merfolk, minotaurs and dwarves to war to win control of the map. Ethnos contains 12 different factions in all, but only six are used in each game, which means that games are hugely varied. All factions are divided into six colours, the same six colours as those of the regions you fight over on the game board. Each player starts with just one card in hand and then picks up cards from a row on the table or from the deck. By playing a set of cards from your hand that either share a colour or all belong to the same faction, you get to place your pieces in the regions and perhaps collect points when the round is over. But careful planning is needed if you are to take the victory. Each time you play something from your hand, you must put the rest of your cards on the table, so the other players have the chance to take them. In addition, each faction behaves differently, so you may be able to put together some neat combinations that let you place several pieces in a single turn.

Ethnos is a fun game with quick turns and plenty of variety, which can be played with as many as 6 players. Well suited to anyone who enjoys Small World or Risk.