How to Play

The Downfall of Pompeii

2-4 players 45-45 min 7.2 Board Game Geek Rating

Set in ancient Pompeii, players place citizens throughout the city before Mount Vesuvius erupts. The game splits into two phases: first, strategically position pieces using cards and eliminate opponents' citizens. After the eruption, place deadly lava tiles and race to evacuate survivors to safety. Victory goes to whoever rescues the most people.

Published 2004

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

Choose player colors

Each player selects a color and takes wooden pieces based on player count: 2-3 players take 30 pieces each, 4 players take 20 pieces each

Separate the cards

Sort all cards into 3 piles: 53 Pompeii cards, 7 Omen cards, and 2 A.D. 79 cards

Create the first stack

Shuffle all 53 Pompeii cards and place 25 into a stack, setting the remaining 28 cards aside

Form pile A

Shuffle the 25 Pompeii cards together with the 7 Omen cards

Form pile B

Draw the top 10 cards from pile A (or 15 for 2-3 players) and shuffle in 1 A.D. 79 card

Assemble the draw deck

Place pile A on top of pile B, then place the other A.D. 79 card on top, then place 8 of the 28 set-aside cards on the very top to form the final draw deck

Deal starting hands

Deal 4 cards to each player and place any leftover cards into the box unseen

Prepare lava tiles

Put all lava tiles into the cloth bag and place beside the board

Place the volcano

Assemble the volcano and place it on the board in the indicated space

Determine first player

The player to the left of the dealer begins the game

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

Play a card

Place a card from your hand face up on the discard pile

Place your person

Put 1 piece into an unoccupied space in the building matching your card

Place relatives

If the building is already occupied (after Vesuvius awakens), place additional pieces in a different building of the same color, another part of the same 2-part building, or a neutral colored building

Use wild cards

If a building is full, play the card anywhere but no relatives may be added

Draw a card

Draw one card to end your turn

Trigger the eruption

When the 2nd A.D. 79 card is drawn, all players discard their cards and return un-placed pieces to the box

Place initial lava

Each player in turn places a lava tile until 6 have been placed, tossing any covered or surrounded pieces into the volcano

Draw and place lava tile

Draw a lava tile and place it adjacent (not diagonally) to another tile with the same symbol

Remove victims

Toss any pieces covered by lava or completely surrounded by lava into the volcano