Understand the Goal
The first box under the historical text explains the goal of the challenge, but the explanation isn’t always clear. When the text mentions the value of prestige points, it indicates the prestige point target value increases. That means the longer you take, the more prestige points you need to succeed.
Study the Restrictions
Read the rules carefully, taking note of limits on turns, gem tokens, reserving development cards, prestige point changes, and everything else the game may include as part of the challenge. The wording can be tough to decipher at times, so expect a few frustrating early attempts.
Plan Purchases
Planning ahead is especially important in challenges with limited gem tokens. Always spend gems so that you can select up to the maximum number of tokens during your turn. It will feel like a wasted turn when you’re short gems for purchasing development cards, but there are only one or two tokens available, or all the tokens are the same color.
No Gold, No Problem
Working through a challenge that allows you to reserve development cards but lacks gold tokens? Reserve development cards that cost too much or won’t help you reach the goal, to see if the next card is a better option.
Predetermined Challenge
When challenges use predetermined development card draws, there’s generally a single solution to complete them. These challenges tend to be the trickiest ones to complete. Learn the order of the cards coming off the decks and plan your purchases to be ready for the best cards that are coming.