Inis
CELTIC-THEMED area-control game by CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ (Matagot, 2016) — 2-4 clan chieftains vie for TITLE OF HIGH KING of green Ireland. Signature CARD DRAFTING each turn (pick 4 of 15 action cards then pass rest) + THREE PATHS to victory (control 6 clans OR 6 territories OR 6 shrines). Absolutely gorgeous art (Jim Fitzpatrick style); ~250K copies sold; deeply strategic diplomatic multiplayer.
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–4
Duration
~90 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇫🇷 France
Estimated origin
Released 2016 by Matagot (French publisher); designed by Christian Martinez; art by Jim Fitzpatrick (celebrated Celtic artist). Expansions: Seasons of Inis (2018), Wrath of the Wolf-Spirit (2021).
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Achieve one of 3 victory conditions at end of round: (1) presence in 6+ TERRITORIES; (2) 6+ CLAN symbols under your influence; (3) 6+ SHRINES you built.
Rules
Basic rules
3 VICTORY CONDITIONS — territories (6+ with your presence), clans (6+ symbols), sanctuaries (6+ built)
Signature 3-path victory.
CARD DRAFTING each round: dealer deals 4 cards + players PICK ONE + PASS remaining 3 (until all 4 assigned)
Signature 7-Wonders-style drafting.
ACTIONS: move clans, build (sanctuary/citadel), gather (Assembly), Deed cards + Epic Tale cards
Signature 3-deck action mix.
ASSEMBLY of PRETENDERS: at round end, players eligible to win must be VOTED IN by having the most CLANS across all territories → tension over kingmaking
Signature diplomatic assembly.
SEASONS EXPANSION adds a 3rd axis (seasons/rounds) + more territories + new cards
Signature expansion depth.
BRÉHON JUDGE role: earn brehons (judge tokens) that give tie-breaking + special powers
Signature brehon system.
Scoring
Win condition met at end of round (after Assembly).
Win condition · First to satisfy 1 of 3 conditions AND survive Assembly vote wins.
Terminology
- Clan
- Player's units placed on territories.
- Sanctuary
- Building constructed via specific Action card, key to sanctuary victory.
- Citadel
- Fortified structure with defensive benefits.
- Bréhon
- Celtic judge — token earned by triggering Assembly.
- Assembly
- Diplomatic phase at round end where pretenders are ratified as High King.
- Epic Tale
- Legendary character card giving special ongoing effects.
Where it is played
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Christian Martinez (FR, designer)
- Jim Fitzpatrick (IE, artist)
Sources & provenance
- BoardGameGeek — Inis— BGG
- Matagot — Inis— Matagot