Broom Service

2015

Broom Service is a thrilling card-based game of strategic bluffing and hand management. Collect ingredients, deliver potions, and score victory points in this enchanting board game adventure.

75
minutes

2 - 5
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the whimsical world of Broom Service, a beautifully illustrated and engaging board game where players become witches, druids, and gatherers, traversing through an enchanting forest, delivering potent potions via magical broomsticks.

In this captivating setting, players are tasked with the mission to collect valuable resources from the landscape, create bewitching potions, and deliver them to various locations scattered across the game board. The game unfolds across a vibrant map, filled with towering mountains, dense forests, and mysterious clouds.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Broom Service is a strategic board game that includes several components. Each of these components contributes to the game’s mechanics and overall gameplay. Here is a detailed breakdown of what each component does:

1. Game Board: The game board represents the game world where players will be moving their pawns and delivering potions. It includes a number of territories, each of which has a specific color and symbol that corresponds to a certain type of potion.

2. Pawns: Each player has a pawn, which they move around the game board. The pawn’s position determines which territories a player can deliver potions to, as well as which territories they can gather resources from.

3. Role Cards: These cards represent the different roles players can assume during their turn. Each role has a specific action associated with it. For example, the Witch allows a player to move their pawn, while the Druid allows a player to deliver potions.

4. Event Cards: These cards introduce random events that can affect the game. For example, an event card might cause players to lose or gain resources, or it might change the order of play.

5. Potion Tokens: These tokens represent the potions that players are trying to deliver. Each token has a color that matches one of the territories on the game board.

6. Resource Tokens: These tokens represent the resources players need to produce potions. There are three different types of resource tokens: herbs, roots, and fruits.

7. Wand Tokens: These tokens can be used to enhance a player’s actions. For example, a player can spend a wand token to perform the “brave” version of a role’s action, which is more powerful but also more risky than the “cowardly” version.

8. Cloud Tokens: These tokens represent clouds that players can deliver potions to for extra points. However, to deliver a potion to a cloud, a player must also spend a wand token.

9. Amulet Tokens: These tokens are bonus points that players can earn by performing certain actions. For example, a player might earn an amulet token by delivering a potion to a cloud.

10. Score Track: This track is used to keep track of each player’s points. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

In Broom Service, all these components interact with each other to create a dynamic and strategic game where players must carefully manage their resources, plan their moves, and outwit their opponents in order to win.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

‘Broom Service’ is a fun and strategic board game where players become witches, druids and gatherers, racing to deliver potions across the magical realm. The following are the steps to set up the game:

1. Prepare the Game Board:

Place the game board in the center of the playing area. If there are 2 to 4 players, use the side without the storm clouds.

2. Shuffle the Event Cards:

Shuffle the 10 Event cards and place them as a face-down deck next to the game board. Reveal the top card and place it next to the deck. This will be the first round’s event.

3. Prepare the Potion Tokens:

Place all the potion tokens into the black bag. Shake it well, then randomly draw 10 potion tokens. Place these on the 10 towers with a white star.

4. Prepare the Resource Tokens:

Place the magic wands, cloud tokens, and amulets in a common supply next to the game board.

5. Set up Player Boards:

Each player chooses a color and takes the matching player board, witches, druids, and gatherers. The players place one witch on the board in a starting castle of their color. The remaining witches, druids, and gatherers are placed next to the player board.

6. Distribute Role Cards:

Each player receives a set of 10 role cards in his or her color. These are kept secret from other players.

7. Initial Resources:

Each player receives 3 wands, 1 purple potion, 1 orange potion, and 1 green potion. These are placed on the respective spaces of their player board.

8. Determine Starting Player:

The player who last mixed a drink becomes the starting player and gets the “First Player” broom token.

Now, you are ready to play ‘Broom Service’!

Game flow Round and round we go

Broom Service is a strategic board game where players become witches, druids and gatherers, traversing across the board to deliver potions. The game is played over seven rounds, each comprising two main phases: the Card Playing Phase and the Event Phase. Each player starts with a hand of ten role cards, and during each round, they select four to play.

Card Playing Phase:

Choosing Role Cards: In this step, players select four of their ten role cards to play in the current round. This selection is made in private, and the selected cards are kept hidden from the other players.
Playing Role Cards: Starting with the first player and moving clockwise, each player takes turns announcing and playing one of their chosen role cards. If a player has the announced role card in their hand, they must play it. The player who announced the role card first decides whether to play the card as a ‘brave’ or ‘cowardly’ action. ‘Brave’ actions are more powerful but riskier as they may not get a chance to perform it if another player also plays the same card as ‘brave’ later in the round.
End of Round: The Card Playing Phase ends when all players have played their four selected role cards.

Event Phase:

Reveal Event Card: At the beginning of the Event Phase, the top card of the event deck is revealed. This card determines a special rule or condition that applies to the next round.
Apply Event Effects: Depending on the event card drawn, various effects might happen. This could include things like moving the clouds on the board, adding new potions to the supply, or even changing the order of play.
Prepare for Next Round: At the end of the Event Phase, players pick up their role cards, the first player marker passes to the next player, and a new round begins.

After seven rounds, the game ends. Players then count their victory points from delivered potions, magic wands, and certain role cards. The player with the most points is declared the winner of Broom Service.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

‘Broom Service’ is a strategic board game that involves players taking turns to play witches, druids, gatherers and other magical characters. During a player’s turn, they can perform various actions which significantly affect the gameplay. Below is a detailed breakdown of these actions and their strategic implications:

1. Choosing Roles:

At the start of each round, players select four out of ten role cards to play for the turn. The roles include witches, gatherers, druids, and weather fairies, each offering different actions. The strategy here is to anticipate what roles other players might choose to optimize your actions and potentially thwart others.

2. Playing Roles:

Players then take turns to play one of their chosen role cards. They can choose to play it ‘bravely’ or ‘cowardly’. The ‘brave’ option offers more rewards but risks the player losing their action if another player also chose the same role. The ‘cowardly’ option provides fewer rewards but guarantees action. The strategic choice here is to balance risk and reward based on what you believe other players have chosen.

3. Performing Actions:

Different roles provide different actions. Witches allow you to move around the board and deliver potions. Gatherers let you collect resources, while druids give you the ability to deliver potions for victory points. Weather fairies allow the manipulation of weather conditions on the board affecting movement and deliveries. The strategic choice here is to use your actions effectively to maximize your victory points while also disrupting other players’ plans.

4. Using Magic Wands:

Magic wands can be used to ensure you perform a ‘brave’ action even if another player has chosen the same role. This introduces another layer of strategic depth as players need to decide when to use their limited supply of wands.

5. Managing Resources:

Players need to collect resources to make and deliver potions. Managing these resources effectively is key to winning. This involves strategic choices about when to collect resources, which potions to make, and when and where to deliver them for maximum points.

Overall, a player’s turn in ‘Broom Service’ involves careful planning, anticipation of other players’ actions, and strategic decision making. The game offers a good balance of risk and reward, offering plenty of depth and replayability.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

In the board game ‘Broom Service’, the game ends after a predetermined number of rounds have been played. This is typically seven rounds for a full game. At the end of these rounds, players calculate their total points to determine the winner.

Victory Conditions:

The player with the highest number of total points at the end of the game is declared the winner. Points are awarded in the following ways throughout the game:

Delivering Potions: Whenever a player successfully delivers a potion, they receive the number of points indicated on the delivery space on the game board.
Cloud Tokens: Players receive points for each cloud token they possess at the end of the game. The point value of each cloud token is printed on the token itself.
Event Cards: Some event cards award points at the end of the game. The points are awarded based on the conditions described on the card.
Wand Tokens: Each wand token a player has at the end of the game is worth 1 point.

Final Scoring Actions:

Before final scoring, players must take the following actions:

Count the number of potions they have delivered and calculate the total points.
Count the number of cloud tokens they possess and calculate the total points.
Check whether they have any event cards that award points at the end of the game and calculate the total points.
Count the number of wand tokens they have and calculate the total points.

After all players have calculated their total points, the player with the highest total is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the player with the most wand tokens wins. If there is still a tie, the tied players share the victory.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

The board game ‘Broom Service’ has a comprehensive scoring system that is calculated at the end of the game. Players earn points in a variety of ways throughout the course of the game, and every point counts towards their final score. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Scoring during the game:

Delivering potions: Players earn points each time they deliver a potion. The type of potion and the location of the delivery determine the number of points earned.
Using the Mountain Witch: Players can use the Mountain Witch character to earn points by moving their witch pawns to tower spaces on the game board. Each tower space a player’s witch pawn occupies is worth a certain number of points.
Using the Forest Witch: Players can use the Forest Witch character to earn points by moving their witch pawns to forest spaces on the game board. Each forest space a player’s witch pawn occupies is worth a certain number of points.

Scoring at the end of the game:

Remaining potions: Players receive points for any undelivered potions they have at the end of the game. The number of points received depends on the type of potion.
Cloud tokens: Players receive points for each cloud token they have collected during the game. The number of points received depends on the type of cloud token.
Event cards: Some event cards provide players with additional ways to score points at the end of the game. The points a player receives from an event card depend on the conditions outlined on the card.

Tie-breaking rules:

If two or more players have the same number of points at the end of the game, the tie is broken based on the following criteria, in this order:

The player who delivered the most potions is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who has the most remaining potions is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who played the most ‘brave’ actions is the winner.
Finally, if there is still a tie, the player who has the most cloud tokens is the winner.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Broom Service is a strategy board game that comes with a set of standard rules. However, there are a few special rules, exceptions, and important rule clarifications that players should be aware of:

1. The Brave Witch Rule:

In the game, if you play a brave witch card, you must move your witch to an adjacent territory. However, if all adjacent territories have been visited, you can’t play a brave witch.

2. The Cowardly Witch Rule:

When playing a cowardly witch, you don’t have to move your witch. This can be a strategic move if you want to stay in your current territory.

3. The Potion Delivery Rule:

When you deliver a potion, you must be in the same territory as a tower that matches the color of the potion. If you’re not in the right territory or all towers of the matching color have been serviced, you can’t deliver that potion.

4. The Event Card Rule:

Event cards can change the rules of the game for a single round. Make sure to read the event card at the beginning of each round and adjust your strategy accordingly.

5. The Lightning Rule:

If a player uses a lightning card, all other players lose one of their cards at random. This can disrupt strategies and should be used wisely.

6. The Amulet Rule:

Amulets can be used to protect against the effects of event cards or to gain additional victory points at the end of the game. However, they can’t be used to protect against the effects of the lightning card.

7. The Forest Witch Rule:

When you play a forest witch card, you can deliver a potion to a tower in your current territory, even if it doesn’t match the color of the tower. This is the only time you can do this.

These special rules and exceptions add complexity and strategy to the game of Broom Service. It’s important to understand them to fully enjoy the game and develop your winning strategy.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Broom Service is a sophisticated board game that combines elements of strategy, risk-taking, and timing. Whether you are an amateur or a seasoned player, understanding and implementing the correct strategies can enhance your gameplay and increase your chances of winning. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay in Broom Service.

Advanced Strategies:

Utilize your Brave Actions Wisely: Brave actions are risky but can offer high rewards. Make sure to use them when you are confident that no other player can play the same character.
Keep an Eye on the Weather: Weather conditions can greatly impact your ability to deliver potions. Pay attention to the weather and plan your moves accordingly.
Manage your Potions: Keep track of your potion supply and try to deliver the most valuable potions to maximize points.

Beginner Tips:

Understand the Game Mechanics: Before diving into the game, make sure to thoroughly understand the rules, roles, and game mechanics. This can greatly enhance your overall gameplay experience.
Master the Role Cards: Each role has its unique abilities and advantages. Ensure to leverage these abilities to your advantage.
Start with Cowardly Actions: As a beginner, it’s advisable to start with cowardly actions to ensure you get to play your action without the risk of being overruled by a brave action.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Avoid Predictability: If your moves are predictable, other players can easily block you. Try to keep your game plan versatile and unpredictable.
Don’t Ignore the Witches: Witches are crucial for delivering potions. Neglecting them can hinder your ability to score points.
Don’t Waste Brave Actions: Using brave actions without proper planning can often result in losses. Make sure to use them judiciously.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan Ahead: Like any strategy game, planning your moves in advance can significantly improve your gameplay in Broom Service.
Adapt to the Situation: The game’s circumstances can change rapidly. Be flexible and ready to adapt your strategy as the game progresses.
Utilize All Roles: Each role has its strengths. Try to utilize all roles effectively to maximize your chances of winning.