The Shang are the earliest recorded dynasty of ancient China. For far more detail than this summary can convey, see: Shang dynasty – Wikipedia. There are also numerous YouTube videos regarding them. The Shang are credited with giving China its first written language – as found on oracle bones used by their priests for divination. This is mirrored by the Oracle Bones civilization trait which uniquely allows the Shang player, at the very start of each ACEA Card Phase, to optionally and randomly select one Karma card from any other civilization’s hand and either return it – or exchange it for a card from their own hand: which is pointedly NOT chosen at random. It’s the Shang player’s choice which card to provide the Oracle Bones’ victim!
While this may seem a trifling advantage, with a little luck the Shang player may be able to snatch a truly powerful card from a rival and by doing so undercut that rival’s plans or gain a Karma card which can be used to turn the tide (or save the day) in the Shang’s favor. Consequently, a Shang player should have a “thick skin” to absorb the barbed chagrin of the civilization player who is chosen for Oracle Bones’ attention. But heck, just tell that player “it’s just the will of the gods”, eh?
What’s new with ACEA is the “Build Your Own Civilization” Section, which allows players to modify the Shang Civilization through an optional rule and the “Philosophy” Section. When the Shang player selects a Philosophy, a white disk is placed over the choice to memorialize it: e.g. if “Traditional-Legalism” is chosen, the player gets one additional tael (ACEA’s money) AND a colored disk out of its Supply each turn to place in its “Disks for Growth” Section. This selection is a kind of “hedge” as it provides a hybrid effect of both the game’s other Philosophies’ respective benefits.
It should be noted the Shang Civilization is present as a player selection for every Standard ACEA Set-Up for 2-6 players.
The Shang player is well positioned to further expand into the lush Chinese heartland adjacent to the Yellow and Yangtze rivers or south via sea into SE Asia or north towards Korea and beyond… but the game’s other players may have something to say about that! Ah, the territorial prerogatives to be vied for during a contentious, yet challenging and fun game of Ancient Civilizations of East Asia!
Next up, one of the Shang’s archrivals… their nearby neighbor and potential nemesis… the Zhou!
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