Ex Libris cover
2017BGG rank #967

Ex Libris

by Adam P. McIver · Renegade Game Studios

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Players1–4
Time45m
ComplexityMedium-Light
Age10+

About the game

What is Ex Libris?

In Ex Libris, you are a collector of rare and valuable books in a thriving gnomish village. Recently, the Mayor and Village Council have announced an opening for a Grand Librarian: a prestigious (and lucrative) position they intend to award to the most qualified villager! Unfortunately, several of your book collector colleagues (more like acquaintances, really) are also candidates. To outshine your competition, you need to expand your personal library by sending your trusty assistants out into the village to find the most impressive tomes. Sources for the finest books are scarce, so you need to beat your opponents to them when they pop up. You have only a week before the Mayor's Official Inspector comes to judge your library, so be sure your assistants have all your books shelved! The Inspector is a tough cookie and will use her Official Checklist to grade your library on several criteria including shelf stability, alphabetical order, and variety — and don't think she'll turn a blind eye to books the Council has banned! You need shrewd planning and cunning tactics (and perhaps a little magic) to surpass your opponents and become Grand Librarian!

How it plays

Mechanics

Hand ManagementOpen DraftingSet CollectionSolo / Solitaire GameTile PlacementVariable Player PowersWorker Placement

On the shelf

Categories

Card GameFantasy

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in Ex Libris?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?