Teotihuacan: City of Gods is one of those board games that rewards you with a beautiful table presence and then punishes you when it is time to pack up. Add the Shadow of Xitle and Late Preclassic Period expansions and you have a serious Teotihuacan storage organization challenge on your hands. Tiny technology tiles, pyramid pieces, worker dice, and a growing pile of expansion content all need a home.
I have spent more hours than I care to admit testing different storage methods for this game, from cheap baggies to custom foam core builds to commercial inserts. This guide pulls together everything I learned so you can pick the approach that fits your budget, your shelf space, and your patience level.
Here is what we will cover: a full component breakdown, three storage methods compared side by side, expansion-by-expansion organization, a DIY versus commercial insert comparison, and a step-by-step process you can follow this weekend. By the end, your Teotihuacan storage organization will be sorted for good.
Table of Contents
Understanding Teotihuacan Components and Storage Challenges
Before you choose a storage method, you need to know what you are dealing with. The base game of Teotihuacan ships with a surprising amount of small components for a game of its size.
The base game includes a large main board, a number boards strip, five player boards, pyramid tiles, technology tiles, discovery tiles, starting tiles, decoration tiles, royal tiles, wooden worker dice in five colors, resource cubes, cocoa tokens, victory point tiles, and a cloth bag. That is a lot of small pieces to keep separated.
The Shadow of Xitle expansion adds new technology tiles, new discovery tiles, new decoration tiles, new pyramid tiles, new royal tiles, a new board, and additional player components. The Late Preclassic Period expansion adds even more tiles and modular board elements that change how the game plays.
Over on BoardGameGeek and Reddit, the most common complaints are familiar. Technology tiles get mixed up between expansions. Pyramid tiles eat up box space. Setup and clear-away times balloon because everything is dumped into baggies. Components shift during transport and arrive damaged.
None of these problems are hard to fix. They just require a plan, which is exactly what the rest of this guide provides.
How to Store and Organize Teotihuacan: Three Main Approaches
There are three proven ways to handle Teotihuacan board game storage. Each one trades cost against convenience and setup speed.
Method 1: Bagging (Budget)
This is the simplest approach. You sort every component type into its own labeled plastic bag. Technology tiles go in one bag, pyramid tiles in another, discovery tiles in a third, and so on.
The upside is cost. A pack of 100 resealable bags costs a few dollars and will cover the entire game plus both expansions. The downside is setup time. You will spend several minutes opening bags, sorting tiles, and distributing player pieces every time you play.
Bagging works well if you play occasionally and want to test whether you even like the game before investing more. It is also the best fallback method if you are waiting for a commercial insert to arrive.
Method 2: Plano Trays and Tackle Boxes
The middle ground is using compartmented storage boxes. Plano tackle boxes or similar craft organizers give you fixed compartments where you can sort tiles, tokens, and player pieces by type.
This method costs more than baggies but dramatically cuts setup time because everything is already visible and separated. You pop the lid, place the trays on the table, and you are ready to deal out components.
The trade-off is space. Rigid trays do not always fit efficiently inside the original game box, which means you may end up storing them separately. This can create the clutter problem you were trying to solve.
Method 3: Commercial or DIY Inserts
The premium option is a purpose-built insert. These are designed to fit inside the base box with precise compartments for every component type, including expansion content. You lift trays directly from the box and place them on the table during play.
Inserts offer the fastest setup and clear-away, the best component protection, and the most compact footprint. They also cost the most and require either assembly (for flat-pack wooden inserts) or printing time (for 3D printed organizers).
For a game like Teotihuacan that you may play dozens of times, the time savings alone can make an insert worthwhile. We will compare specific options later in this guide.
Organizing the Base Game Components
Let us break down how to organize each component type in the base game. These principles apply regardless of which storage method you choose.
Technology Tiles
Technology tiles are the most fiddly component in the game. There are multiple colors and types, and they all look similar at a glance. The best approach is to group them by color and keep each group in its own compartment or bag.
Forum users consistently report that bagging or sorting technology tiles per color prevents the most common mid-game confusion. If you use an insert, make sure the technology tile compartment is wide enough to hold them in a single layer so you can see all options at once.
Pyramid Tiles
Pyramid tiles are thicker and bulkier than technology tiles. They take up a surprising amount of box real estate, which is one of the biggest pain points reported by players.
Stack them flat in a dedicated compartment. If you are bagging, use a single large bag and keep them stacked rather than jumbled. This protects the printed edges from rubbing against each other during transport.
Discovery Tiles, Royal Tiles, and Decoration Tiles
These tile types are used in smaller quantities during setup but are easy to confuse with each other. Keep each type in a separate compartment or bag and label them clearly. If your insert has a shared tile tray, use dividers or small bags within the tray to keep them apart.
Player Pieces and Worker Dice
Each player color gets a set of worker dice and matching tokens. The most efficient approach is to create a player tray for each color. A player tray holds the worker dice, scoring markers, and any color-specific tokens for that player.
This is where commercial inserts shine. They typically include five player trays that you can hand directly to each player at the start of the game. If you are using bags, give each player their own bag with their color pieces inside.
Resource Tokens and Cocoa
Resource cubes and cocoa tokens are generic and shared between all players. Store them in a central compartment or bag that you can place in the middle of the table during play. A small bowl or open tray works better than a bag here because players reach in frequently.
Fitting the Shadow of Xitle Expansion in the Base Box
This is one of the most asked questions in the Teotihuacan community. The short answer is yes, the Shadow of Xitle expansion fits in the base box, but only if you organize carefully.
Shadow of Xitle adds new technology tiles, new pyramid tiles, new discovery tiles, new decoration tiles, royal tiles, a new board section, and additional player components. None of these items are individually large, but together they add meaningful volume.
The key is to integrate expansion components with their base game counterparts rather than storing them separately. New technology tiles go in the same compartment as the base game technology tiles, sorted by color. New pyramid tiles stack alongside the base game pyramid tiles.
Players on BoardGameGeek confirm that this consolidation method works with bagging, tackle boxes, or inserts. The one exception is the new board section from Shadow of Xitle. That board piece is the main reason some people keep the expansion box around.
If you want everything in one box, place the expansion board flat at the bottom of the base box underneath the insert or bagged components. It adds minimal height and keeps everything together.
Organizing the Late Preclassic Period Expansion
The Late Preclassic Period expansion is smaller than Shadow of Xitle but adds its own set of modular board elements and additional tiles. It is the expansion that gets the least coverage in existing guides, which is a gap we want to fill here.
This expansion introduces new modular tiles that change the board layout. Store these separately from the base game tiles because they serve a different purpose. A dedicated compartment or labeled bag marked with the expansion name prevents them from getting mixed in.
For the additional standard tiles (technology, discovery, and decoration), integrate them with the base game components using the same color-sorting approach described for Shadow of Xitle.
If you own both expansions, the Late Preclassic Period modular tiles are the one component set I recommend keeping in the expansion box unless your insert has a dedicated slot for them. They are used conditionally and do not need to be mixed in with base content.
DIY vs Commercial Inserts: Which Should You Choose?
This is the decision that stops most people from finishing their Teotihuacan storage organization project. Let me break down the three main insert categories so you can decide what fits your situation.
Foam Core DIY Inserts
Foam core is the classic budget DIY material. You cut sheets of foam board to size and glue them into compartments that fit inside the base box. Total cost is typically under ten dollars for materials.
The advantage is total customization. You design compartments for exactly the components you own, including expansion content. The disadvantage is time and skill. A good foam core insert takes several hours to design, measure, cut, and assemble.
If you enjoy crafting and want a weekend project, foam core is deeply satisfying. If you want something ready by game night, look elsewhere.
3D Printed Organizers
The board game community has created excellent 3D printable organizers for Teotihuacan. Sites like Printables host free STL files designed specifically for the base game and both expansions.
The advantage over foam core is precision and durability. 3D printed trays have exact-fit compartments with smooth walls that will not degrade over time. The catch is that you need access to a 3D printer, and printing a full organizer set can take 20 to 40 hours of print time.
If you already own a 3D printer, this is arguably the best value option. Free files plus filament costs give you a premium-quality organizer for a fraction of the commercial price.
Commercial Inserts
Several companies manufacture dedicated Teotihuacan organizers. The most commonly recommended are Folded Space, Towerrex, Laserox, and e-Raptor. These arrive as flat-pack kits that you assemble at home.
Commercial inserts offer the best out-of-box experience. They are designed by people who have tested the game, they include illustrated assembly instructions, and they are built to fit the base box with expansion content.
Folded Space offers a version (FS-TEOv2) that provides tray-based storage designed to be used during gameplay. Towerrex includes five player trays plus dedicated trays for pyramid tiles and the various tile types. These are the two most frequently praised in community reviews.
The main downside is cost, as commercial inserts are the most expensive option. But for a game you play regularly, the setup time savings pay for themselves quickly.
Quick Decision Framework
Choose bagging if you play occasionally and want zero cost. Choose a tackle box if you want better setup speed without committing to an insert. Choose foam core if you enjoy crafting and want full customization. Choose 3D printed if you have a printer and want precision for free. Choose a commercial insert if you want the best experience and are willing to pay for it.
Step-by-Step Teotihuacan Storage Organization Process
Ready to get organized? Here is a simple process you can follow in an afternoon.
Step 1: Inventory and sort. Dump everything out and group components by type. Separate base game content from expansion content so you know what you are working with.
Step 2: Choose your method. Based on your budget and how often you play, pick bagging, tackle boxes, or an insert. You can always upgrade later.
Step 3: Label everything. Label each bag, compartment, or tray with its contents. If you have expansions integrated, note which expansion tiles are mixed in. This prevents confusion months from now.
Step 4: Test fit and gameplay setup. Pack everything into the base box and make sure the lid closes flat. Then unpack it as if you were setting up for a game. Time yourself. If setup takes more than five minutes, look for ways to consolidate.
Step 5: Adjust and refine. After a few game sessions, you will notice which compartments work and which do not. Move things around until the flow feels natural.
Tips for Keeping Setup and Clear-Away Times Fast
Storage is not just about fitting things in a box. It is about getting to the fun part faster. Here are the habits that make the biggest difference.
Use player trays during gameplay. Whether you use an insert with built-in player trays or small containers of your own, having each player reach for one tray at the start of the game eliminates the component-dealing phase entirely.
Sort tiles face-up in their compartments. When tiles are stored flat and visible, players can see their options at a glance instead of digging through a pile.
Keep a dedicated bowl for resources. Resource cubes and cocoa tokens get handled constantly. An open container in the center of the table is faster than any bag or lidded tray during play.
Pack up as you play. When a round ends, slide used tiles back toward their storage compartment. By the time the game ends, half your clear-away is already done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Shadow of Xitle expansion fit in the Teotihuacan base box?
Yes. With proper organization, all Shadow of Xitle components fit inside the base game box. Integrate expansion tiles with their base game counterparts by type and color, and place the expansion board flat at the bottom of the box.
What is the best storage solution for Teotihuacan technology tiles?
The best approach is to sort technology tiles by color and store each color group in its own compartment or labeled bag. This prevents mid-game confusion and speeds up setup. Commercial inserts from Folded Space and Towerrex include dedicated tile compartments designed for this.
Do I need to buy a commercial insert for Teotihuacan?
No. A commercial insert is convenient but not required. Bagging works on a budget, tackle boxes offer a middle ground, and DIY foam core or 3D printed organizers provide custom solutions at low cost. Choose based on your budget and how often you play.
How do I organize Teotihuacan if I have both expansions?
Integrate standard tiles (technology, discovery, decoration) from both expansions into the base game compartments sorted by type and color. Keep the Late Preclassic Period modular board tiles separate since they are conditional. Store both expansion boards flat at the bottom of the base box.
Can I 3D print an organizer for Teotihuacan?
Yes. Free STL files for Teotihuacan organizers that accommodate both expansions are available on sites like Printables. A full organizer set typically takes 20 to 40 hours of print time and costs only the filament, making it an excellent value if you own a 3D printer.
Wrapping Up Your Teotihuacan Storage Organization
Getting your Teotihuacan storage organization sorted does not have to be complicated or expensive. The three main methods, bagging, tackle boxes, and inserts, each work well depending on your budget and play frequency.
The most important step is simply starting. Inventory your components, pick a method, label everything, and test it with a real game session. You can always refine your setup over time.
Whether you go with a free baggie system, a weekend foam core build, a 3D printed organizer, or a commercial insert, the payoff is the same: faster setup, faster clear-away, protected components, and a shelf that no longer looks like a small explosion happened. Your Teotihuacan collection, base game and both expansions included, deserves a home that works as elegantly as the game itself.