Karnak Support
Welcome architects!
This is the FAQ for Karnak. If you have a question about play, see below for more information if we have answered it before. Otherwise try to reach out to us via our contact page, social media, or post on BoardGameGeek. We can then update that information below.
FAQ
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Where can I place pieces?
Karnak is meant to be organic- you can place pieces anywhere on the mat in just about any configuration, including on the illustrations. Several design cards reference these!
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What does it mean if a card does, or doesn't, say 'exactly'?
Any card that says exactly means it- no more and no less of that piece or structure with the given design card. However, any card that fails to specify 'exactly' is not concerned about extra of the piece, structure, or other design element.
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I feel like resources are pretty tight as the game ends. What's up with that?
The pieces are generally supposed to run out as the game comes to a close. This can increase tension and require some careful trickery to make a final few moves. However, players may prefer to simply shorten the Favor deck by five cards to have the game end slightly earlier.
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What if pieces run out?
As the game progresses, pieces become less and less common, and moving them (and turning them white) becomes the only option for adjusting the board. In the incredibly rare case of having no pieces to place or move, or players refuse to and just keep drawing for a whole round, end the game immediately.
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What does 'above' mean versus 'on top of'?
'On top of' references cards that involve pieces touching, like a cube stacked 'on top of' a cube. However, a couple of cards (lintels, portico) don't require physical contact, like the rod in portico don't have to touch the pieces it references.
Design Cards
Altar
A statue touching at least two cubes.
They can be in any orientation, and touching other pieces.
Atrium
A structure touching the dotted mat line and a mat circle.
This can be between any mat circle and the dotted mat line. The structure only has to touch the edge of each to count.
Avenue
At least four rods crossing over solid mat lines.
They do not have to touch the lines, and can have pieces under them.
Barque
A structure contains at least: a cube, a disk, a rod, a statue and a triangle.
The structure can contain any number of other pieces.
Capstone
The pieces highest off the mat is a triangle.
It cannot 'tie' for being the highest.
Causeway
A structure touching both both the water and the dotted mat line.
The decorative boat and reeds do not count as water.
Chamber
A triangle touching at least two disks.
They can be in any orientation, and touching other pieces.
Chapels
Two identical structures with one inside and one outside the dotted mat line.
These must contain the same pieces in roughly the same arrangement, but the overall structures can be in any orientation. They cannot be touching or crossing over the dotted mat line.
Colonnade
Three of the same piece spaced in a triangle, but not touching.
The pieces can be any height off the mat, but must be equally distant from each other. The triangle can be any size.
Colossi
At least two statues stacked on top of different disks.
Each statue must be touching a different disk. Other pieces may be touching them, and they can be touching each other.
Edifice
A triangle touching only three pieces.
It cannot be touching any other pieces. Those pieces can be any combination of shapes or orientations.
Ferries
Exactly three structures touching water.
Individual pieces not touching other pieces are not structures.
Ferryman
This is a promotional card from the 2025 Ferryman promo pack.
A priest touching the mat boat.
The priest can be touching or not touching a structure.
Festival Hall
A structure touching both solid mat lines.
This can be fulfilled by placing a structure on the intersection of both lines.
Figures
At least three statues each touching at least two pieces.
The statues may be touching each other or the same pieces.
Gardens
Two identical structures touching water.
These must contain the same pieces in roughly the same arrangement, but the overall structures can be in any orientation.
Gate
A structure in two quadrants but not touching a solid mat line.
The structure must touch the mat on both sides of the mat line.
Great Court
Exactly three statues fully inside the dotted mat line.
They cannot be touching the dotted mat line.
Hypostyle Hall
Four of the same piece spaced in a square, but not touching.
The pieces can be any height off the mat, but must be equally distant from each other. The square can be any size.
Kiosk
A structure includes exactly three cubes.
It may contain other pieces.
Lintels
At least five cubes above, but not touching, the mat.
These may be touching each other, as long as they are not touching the mat.
Monument
Exactly three cubes stacked on top of each other.
These cubes must be touching each other, but may be touching other pieces. They don't have to be perfectly aligned.
Nilometers
At least four disks fully inside different mat quadrants, not touching water.
The disk should not be touching or passing over mat lines. They can be any orientation and/or part of structures.
Obelisks
At least three triangles stacked on top of different cubes.
They can be touching other pieces, but each tirangel should be touching a cube directly.
Offering Tables
Exactly three disks touching different mat circles.
They can be touching just the edge and it still counts. There are four possible mat circles, and only three can be touching disks, even multiple.
Papyrus Columns
A structure contains exactly three rods.
It may contain other pieces.
Pavilions
A structure touching a mat circle and water.
This can be between any circle and the water. The structure only has to touch the edge to count. The water does not include the decorative reeds or boat.
Piers
At least three rods touching water.
They can touch each other and be part of structures. The decorative reeds and boat do not count as water.
Plinths
At least two disks touching different rods.
They can be in any orientation, and touching other pieces.
Porch
A disk touching at least two triangles.
They can be in any orientation, and touching other pieces.
Portico
A rod above at least two different pieces.
It does not have to be touching them. The pieces must be different shapes.
Precinct
A quadrant has three or more statues fully inside, not touching water.
The statues should not be touching or passing over mat lines. They can be any orientation and/or part of structures.
Procession Path
At least a cube, a disk, a rod, a statue and a triangle touching solid mat lines.
They can be touching each other and be part of structures.
Pylon
A structure touching two different mat circles.
This can be between any two mat circles. The structure only has to touch the edge of each to count.
Pyrimidia
At least three triangles touching solid mat lines.
They can be touching the same or different lines.
Quay
A structure with exactly two pieces touching water.
The water does not include the decorative reeds or boat.
Sanctums
Exactly three structures fully inside the dotted line.
These structures should not be touching the dotted mat line. Individual pieces not touching other pieces are not structures.
Shrines
Two identical structures touching solid mat lines.
These must contain the same pieces in roughly the same arrangement, but the overall structures can be in any orientation.
Sphinxes
At least three statues in a straight line.
The statues may be on top of or under other pieces, in any orientation.
Stelae
Exactly six cubes touching the mat.
They can be part of structures and be touching each other.
Temple
A structure with exactly X pieces.
Priests do not count as pieces.
Treasury
A structure contains exactly three triangles.
It may contain other pieces.
Wadjet Hall
Two identical structures touching different mat circles.
These must contain the same pieces in roughly the same arrangement, but the overall structures can be in any orientation.
Walls
A structure fully surrounds a mat circle but does not touch it.
The pieces don't have to be touching the mat, but if you look down from straight above, the structure must fully reach around the mat circle.