Pillars of the Earth: Builders Duel

Worldbuilders Market

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Pillars of the Earth: Builders Duel

Worldbuilders Market

Regular price
$20.00
$20.00
Regular price
Saving $-20.00

The setting is England at the beginning of the 12th century. The construction of what is to be the greatest and most beautiful cathedral in England begins. Builders compete against each other to contribute the most to this cathedral's construction and, in so doing, score the most victory points. To play the game, first players must use workers to procure raw building materials, and then use craftsmen to refine the materials into victory points. What actions will you take on your path to victory? will you seek an audience with the King perhaps, to get to the metal you need? or should you avail yourself of the support of influential personalities? a brief stay in the monastery could be as beneficial to you as strong ties to your craftsmen.

Your workers may also be used to produce gold, the currency of the game. Players are given three master builders each turn, each of which can do a variety of tasks, including recruiting more workers, buying or selling goods, or directly obtaining victory points. Getting early choices with a master Builder costs gold, as does purchasing more capable craftsmen. Players must strike a balance between earning gold to fund their purchases and earning victory points. Transport yourself to medieval England as described by Ken Follett in his best-selling masterpiece novel, The Pillars of the Earth.

Looking for more Mayfair Games? Check out our Mayfair Games Collection!

All proceeds go to Worldbuilders, a geek-centered nonprofit supporting humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Pillars of the Earth: Builders DuelPillars of the Earth: Builders DuelPillars of the Earth: Builders DuelPillars of the Earth: Builders Duel

“Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.”

― Patrick Rothfuss,
The setting is England at the beginning of the 12th century. The construction of what is to be the greatest and most beautiful cathedral in England begins. Builders compete against each other to contribute the most to this cathedral's construction and, in so doing, score the most victory points. To play the game, first players must use workers to procure raw building materials, and then use craftsmen to refine the materials into victory points. What actions will you take on your path to victory? will you seek an audience with the King perhaps, to get to the metal you need? or should you avail yourself of the support of influential personalities? a brief stay in the monastery could be as beneficial to you as strong ties to your craftsmen.

Your workers may also be used to produce gold, the currency of the game. Players are given three master builders each turn, each of which can do a variety of tasks, including recruiting more workers, buying or selling goods, or directly obtaining victory points. Getting early choices with a master Builder costs gold, as does purchasing more capable craftsmen. Players must strike a balance between earning gold to fund their purchases and earning victory points. Transport yourself to medieval England as described by Ken Follett in his best-selling masterpiece novel, The Pillars of the Earth.

Looking for more Mayfair Games? Check out our Mayfair Games Collection!

All proceeds go to Worldbuilders, a geek-centered nonprofit supporting humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Designer: Michael Rieneck, Stefan Stadler

Players: 2-4

Playing Time: 90-120 minutes

Ages 10+


Mayfair Games was a game publisher founded in 1981 by Darwin Bromley in Chicago. They started with the railroad game Empire Builder and soon expanded to role-playing game supplements. In 1993, they faced a lawsuit from TSR, Inc. over trademark issues but continued publishing until TSR bought the rights.

In 1996, Mayfair brought The Settlers of Catan to the US market. Financial troubles in 1997 led to a bailout by Iron Crown Enterprises, which restarted Mayfair under a new name. Pete Fenlon became CEO in 2007, focusing on Catan products, which sold over 750,000 units by 2013. In 2016, Mayfair transferred Catan rights to Catan Studio under the Asmodee Group, with Fenlon moving to the new company. Larry Roznai, who joined in 1999, was the last CEO. Mayfair Games sold its assets to Asmodée Éditions North America and shut down on February 9, 2018.