Keep your eyes on the Zestrea prize
Zestrea is a friendly game where the Boyars are actually fighting a harsh system during Hard Times. We are all friends here – but at the end of the game, the Boyar with the most Zestre still wins! Perhaps the most Serious strategy tip is this: keep the end goal in mind – you still need to WIN.
Protect your Zestrea
The way our currency, Zestre, is designed, is very intentional. It’s the smallest card you have and it also doubles down as land. This is on purpose so you can easily forget about it (Alex is nice like that 😀) AND to keep it up front and visible. But in a game where the Boyar with the most Zestre wins, displaying your Zestre up front and easy to count is like showcasing your gold on a table in a shady tavern. So keep your Zestre secret, keep it safe! If you don’t – I WILL COUNT IT and plan all my fate cards to trim your fortune down.
Diplomacy before revenge
Revenge rarely pays off. Some Boyars may boycott your village and your Zestre if you refuse to pay for a wedding or use a tiny Fate card against them. Let them! Strategically keep your Fate cards and use them when it most hurts and against the richest Boyars!
Strategic Fate warnings
Many Fate cards can be used just to warn or menace. A lot of Boyars forget about this, but who wouldn’t want to be generous for a wedding, when The Village Idiot lurks around the corner?!
Smiles wins you Zestrea
Smile, be helpful and always friendly! Especially with the Boyars who don’t really stand a chance to win over you. This is just a presentation technique which will allow the other Boyars to see you as less of a threat, and more of a friendly diplomat. Alternatively, be the quiet Boyar in the corner. The quiet ones almost always win!
I hope these tips will help you win against other Boyars! And stay tuned for more!
*Don’t take it too seriously!
**Oh dear, I hope no one from the team reads this!