Kemet - Tips & Strategies

Here’s some quick tips for a first game:
1) Set up – try the 4 Victory Points win option when teaching the game, and everyone with 3 first level pyramids. Have everyone focus on the first 2 tier (level 1 and 2) Power Tiles, that way you are all learning the basic game mechanics. It may even be worth it to not even set up 3rd and 4th level tiles when teaching/playing first time.
2) Download and print reference sheets – there are plenty of places online to download quick reference materials. It helps a lot if everyone has a copy that shows what the Power Tiles and Divine Intervention cards do.
3) Remember it’s all about the temples. Try to control 2 by the end of each day phase. Its the best way to secure both Victory Points and Prayer Points. You can develop other strategies as you get comfortable with the game, but this will always be the easiest and most efficient.
4) Recall rather than Retreat. Recalling your troops after a loss is a great way to get Prayer Points, especially if you have actions left in the day phase. Also if you have taken losses retreating leaves troops vulnerable and can give your opponents easy Victory Points.
5) The game is all about being aggressive, attack an opponent whenever you feel you have an advantage. Every win in this manner is a Victory Point, a solid step towards winning the game.
6) Remember –
`a) Prayer Points and Victory Points are collected from Temples at the end of the Day Phase, after all actions are taken.
`b) Turn order is significant, especially when the end is near.
c) Divine Intervention cards can only be played as marked: Day Phase only on your turn during the Day, Battle Phase only after battle begins and before final troops retreat/recall, Night Phase after points are collected from Temples, and Opponents Turn only during opponents actions during the Day Phase (not combat) usually as a counter.
d) Be aggressive. B.E. Aggressive. B.E.A.G.G.R.E.S.S.I.V.E. – otherwise a fast fun game drags.

At the beginning of the game, specialize in one colour of Pyramid and set it to Level 2. Pick a secondary focus to set at Level 1. This will let you get off to a running start and allow you to buy a high level Power Tile in the first round.

First, Pray to get your Ankhs to 7. Next, Raise your Level 2 pyramid to Level 3. Finally, you can purchase a Level 3 Tile with 2 more moves remaining allowing you to go conquer something.

I find specializing in White at the beginning to be most beneficial (and it has often become a race to get the White Tiles we want) as they focus on Economy and Infrastructure and can really make actions in subsequent turns more powerful (giving you more currency, building up your pyramids faster, etc.)

My favourite tile is Hand of God (White, Level 3) which will raise a pyramid one level each Night Phase for free. The Priest of Amon (White, Level 4) gives you 5 Ankh in addition to the basic 2 every Night, making you quite financially secure very early on.

Next build up your secondary focus (Red or Blue) depending on which tactics you enjoy employing (Red is more Attack oriented, whist Blue is more focused on Defence, but has some very strong powers nonetheless).

After losing a battle and having only one or two units remaining in your troop, many times it’s better to recall your remaining units, regain some Prayer Points, and recruit a new full troop back in your city. One or two unit troops, even with a creature, are juicy targets for players hunting for easy permanent Battle VPs. Don’t give them the opportunity!

Kemet is a magnificent game offering a plethora of strategic choices, but it is not forgiving of loose planning or reactionary tactics. One must focus their strategy as quickly as possible, insuring each decision made is viable toward that overall strategy. All of the Power Tiles present in the game offer enticing opportunities and alluring benefits, and the creatures mesmerize one’s attention in their own right, but even a turn or two of misfocused development can haunt one’s future and quickly lead to misery and despair beneath the merciless sands… I mean, you might lose the game.

Avoid overly-diversifying your advancements. Avoid over-extending your troops. Avoid being defensive-minded – Kemet rewards the bold and aggressive and punishes the timid and defensive. Avoid trying to “block” your opponent – a blocking action is a wasted action. Avoid reacting to your opponent – if you are reacting to his actions, you are probably losing.