Agricola (Revised Edition)

2016

Immerse yourself in the award-winning Agricola board game! Balance resource management and family growth to thrive in the 17th-century farming world.

120
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Agricola (Revised Edition) is an engaging and strategic board game that takes players back to the 17th century, a time when farmers worked tirelessly to provide for their families. The game is set in a rustic, rural landscape where every decision can have far-reaching effects on your livelihood.

In this immersive game, you’ll find yourself in the role of a farmer, with your spouse, living in a wooden shack. You start with just two family members, but as the game progresses, your family can grow. However, each new member needs to be fed, setting up a constant challenge of resource management.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Agricola (Revised Edition) is an engaging and strategic board game with a rich variety of components that each have their own role to play. Let’s explore these components one by one:

1. Game Boards:

Central Game Board: This is the main board where players can choose to take different actions. It is divided into several sections with different resources and actions available.
Player Boards: Each player receives a personal board, which represents their own farm. Players will build rooms, stables, and fences on this board throughout the game.

2. Resource Tokens: These represent the various resources players can collect in the game.

Wood Tokens: Used to build wooden rooms, fences, and stables.
Clay Tokens: Used to upgrade rooms and build fireplaces and ovens.
Reed Tokens: Used to build rooms and stables.
Stone Tokens: Used to upgrade rooms and build advanced improvements.
Grain Tokens: These can be sown as crops or used as food.
Vegetable Tokens: These are advanced crops that can be sown or used as food.

3. Animal Tokens: Represent the livestock that players can raise on their farm.

Sheep Tokens: Represent the most basic type of livestock.
Wild Boar Tokens: Represent a more advanced type of livestock.
Cattle Tokens: Represent the most valuable type of livestock.

4. Building Tokens: Players use these to develop their farms on their player boards.

Room Tokens: Represent the rooms of the player’s house. They start as wood, but can be upgraded to clay or stone.
Stable Tokens: Used to increase the holding capacity of pastures.
Fence Tokens: Used to enclose pastures for holding livestock.

5. People Tokens: Each player starts with two people represented by wooden discs in their color. These can increase as the player expands their family.

6. Cards: These are used to provide players with various possibilities and enhancements throughout the game.

Occupation Cards: Provide players with special abilities.
Minor Improvement Cards: Offer small upgrades that can enhance a player’s farm.
Major Improvement Cards: These are powerful upgrades that players can purchase from the central game board.

7. Round Cards: These cards determine the available actions in each round.

8. Begging Cards: These are negative cards given to players who can’t feed their family during the harvest phase.

9. Food Tokens: Represent the food that is needed to feed a player’s family. These can be obtained from various actions and improvements.

All these components interact with each other to provide the rich and strategic gameplay that Agricola is known for. From developing your farm and raising livestock to feeding your family and improving your skills, every component plays a vital role in your path to becoming the most successful farmer.

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

Agricola is a strategic board game that simulates the life of a farmer. The Revised Edition of Agricola simplifies and updates the rules of the original game. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Setup Player Boards

Each player receives a personal player board, which consists of a farmhouse with two rooms made of wood and five field spaces. Place the board in front of each player.

Step 2: Setup Central Game Board

The central game board is placed in the middle of the table. Place the round cards on their designated spaces, starting from round 1 to 14. The action cards are placed on the corresponding round spaces on the game board.

Step 3: Setup Resource Board

Set up the supply board next to the game board. The supply board holds all the resources: Wood, Clay, Reed, Stone, Food, and Grain. It also holds the animals: Sheep, Wild Boar, and Cattle.

Step 4: Setup Major Improvements

Place all the Major Improvement cards on their respective spaces on the game board. These cards can be bought by the players during the game.

Step 5: Setup Personal Cards

Shuffle the Occupation and Minor Improvement cards separately. Each player receives seven Occupation cards and seven Minor Improvement cards. Players can choose to play with a hand of cards dealt at random or use a drafting method where they select one card and pass the rest to the player on their left, repeating until all cards have been chosen.

Step 6: Setup Initial Resources

Each player starts the game with two Family members placed on their home board. Additionally, each player receives two food tokens.

Step 7: Setup Player Markers

Each player receives three markers of their player color. One marker is placed on the scoring track on the game board, one is placed on the “0/50” space of the scoring track, and the third is placed next to the game board to denote the player order.

Step 8: Setup Random Elements

The game also includes random elements through the use of Occupation and Minor Improvement cards. These cards are dealt randomly to each player at the beginning of the game and can significantly influence the strategy and course of the game.

With this setup, the game is ready to begin. Players will take turns placing their family members on action spaces to gather resources, build and upgrade their farm, and feed their family. The game continues for 14 rounds, after which points are scored based on the development of each player’s farm and the player with the highest score wins.

Game flow Round and round we go

Agricola (Revised Edition) is a complex strategy game where players, acting as farmers, aim to build and manage their own farmsteads. The game is structured over 14 rounds, with each round divided into several phases.

In the ‘Replenish Phase’, new resources are added to the game board on the corresponding spaces. The resources include wood, clay, reed, food, and stone.

The next stage is the ‘Starting Player Phase’. The player who possesses the starting player token may take the first action in the subsequent ‘Work Phase’. The player can decide to keep the token or pass it to the next player clockwise.

Following this is the ‘Work Phase’. Starting with the player holding the starting player token and proceeding clockwise, each player takes turns placing one of their family members on an action space and then carries out that action. Actions can range from gathering resources, building rooms and stables, plowing fields, sowing grain or vegetables, fencing pastures, buying animals, and many more. Each action space can only be used once per round.

After all players have placed all their family members, the ‘Home Phase’ begins. In this phase, players return their family members from the game board to their home farmyard.

Next is the ‘Breeding Phase’. If a player has at least two animals of the same type in their farmyard, those animals will breed, and the player gets an additional animal of that type, provided there is room in the farmyard.

The last phase of the round is the ‘Harvest Phase’, which occurs only in rounds 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 14. During the harvest phase, players must feed their family, harvest their crops, and breed their animals. Players must have enough food to feed their family members, or they will receive begging cards, which deduct points from their final score.

The game ends after 14 rounds, and the player with the most successful farm (measured in points) wins the game. Points are scored based on the number and types of animals, the size and furnishing of the house, the size of the family, and the number of fields and pastures, among other factors. Players lose points for unused spaces on their farmyard and for each begging card they have.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the board game Agricola (Revised Edition), each player’s turn consists of several possible actions, each with their own strategic implications. The game revolves around managing a farm and its inhabitants, so the actions you take can significantly impact the growth and productivity of your farm.

On a player’s turn, they may do the following:

Place a family member: Each turn, a player places one of their family members onto an action space on the game board. The number of family members a player has dictates how many actions they can take each round.

Strategic Implication: The placement of family members is a crucial decision. It is important to balance the need for resources, expansion, and food production. The more family members a player has, the more actions they can perform, accelerating their farm’s growth. However, each additional family member also requires more food.

Take an action: After placing a family member on an action space, the player performs the associated action. Actions include gathering resources, expanding the farm, growing crops, raising livestock, building improvements, and more.

Strategic Implication: Choosing the right actions is key to maximizing your farm’s productivity. It is crucial to consider the current needs of your farm and anticipate future needs. Diversifying your actions can also be beneficial to avoid reliance on a single resource or strategy.

Feed the family: At the end of each round, players must feed their family members. If a player does not have enough food, they must take a begging card, which subtracts points from their final score.

Strategic Implication: Ensuring a stable food supply is vital. A decision to expand the family must be balanced with the ability to feed them. Failing to do so can lead to begging cards, which can severely impact the final score.

Make strategic choices: Agricola is a game of strategy. Players must plan their turns carefully, considering both their current situation and future possibilities.

Strategic Implication: The decisions made during a player’s turn significantly affect their gameplay. Prioritizing actions that can lead to long-term benefits, such as building improvements or expanding the family, can lead to a more successful game. However, players must also adapt their strategies based on the actions of other players and the availability of resources.

All these actions and strategic choices contribute to the overall aim of the game – to build the most prosperous farm. At the end of the game, points are scored for the size and prosperity of the farm, the number of family members, and more. The player with the highest score wins the game.

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

Agricola (Revised Edition) is a strategic board game where players take on the role of farmers, aiming to build the most profitable farm. The game is played in 14 rounds and ends after the completion of the 14th round. Following the conclusion of the final round, players then proceed to the scoring phase to tally their scores and determine the victor.

In order to prepare for the final scoring, players must complete a number of actions. These include:

Harvesting: This happens three times in the game (after rounds 4, 7, and 14). During each harvest, players must feed their families, reap their fields, and breed their animals.
Final Feeding: After the 14th round, players need to feed their families one last time. Each family member requires two food points. If a player cannot meet their family’s food needs, they must take begging cards, which will subtract from their final score.
Room for Growth: Players must also ensure that their farms have room for growth. They should have expanded their house and built up their farmyard to accommodate animals and fields. A farm that is too small may suffer penalties during the final scoring.

After these actions have been taken, players can calculate their final scores. The victory conditions for Agricola (Revised Edition) are based on the accumulation of victory points. These points can be earned in a variety of ways and the player with the highest total at the end of the game is declared the winner. Points are awarded as follows:

Fields: Each field a player has sown will earn them points.
Pastures: Players earn points for the amount of fenced space in their farmyard.
Grain: Points are awarded based on the amount of grain a player has.
Vegetables: Like grain, vegetables also earn players points.
Sheep, Wild Boar, and Cattle: Players earn points for each animal they have on their farm.
Stables and Fenced Stables: Each stable earns players points. Additional points are given for each fenced stable.
Family Members: Each family member is worth points.
Points on Cards: Some occupation and minor improvement cards will also provide players with additional points.

It should be noted that failing to achieve certain goals will result in negative points. For example, not having certain types of animals, not having enough family members, or not having certain types of crops can all result in a reduction in the final score.

The player with the highest total of victory points at the end of the game is the winner. In the event of a tie, the player with the most leftover food after the final feeding stage is the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Agricola (Revised Edition) is a complex game where players score points in a variety of ways. The scoring system is as follows:

1. Fields, Pastures, and Grain:

At the end of the game, each player scores one point for each plowed field on their farmyard.
Each pasture is worth two points. A pasture is a fenced area that contains at least one animal. A pasture can be empty, but it must be fenced to count.
Each grain tile in a player’s personal supply is worth one point. This includes grain tiles in a player’s personal supply that are not on a field.

2. Vegetables, Animals, and Family Members:

Each vegetable tile in a player’s personal supply is worth one point. This includes vegetable tiles in a player’s personal supply that are not on a field.
Each animal (sheep, wild boar, and cattle) on a player’s farmyard is worth one point. Animals in a player’s personal supply that are not on the farmyard do not count.
Each family member is worth three points. Each player starts the game with two family members and can add up to three more during the course of the game.

3. House and Improvement:

Each room in a player’s house is worth one point if the house is made of wood, two points if the house is made of clay, and three points if the house is made of stone.
Each improvement is worth its printed point value. Improvements are gained through action spaces and can provide a variety of benefits, including additional points.

4. Negative Points:

Players also receive negative points for several things:

Each unused space on a player’s farmyard is worth -1 point.
Each missing type of animal (sheep, wild boar, cattle) is worth -1 point. This means that if a player does not have any of one type of animal at the end of the game, they receive -1 point.

Tie-Breaking Rule:

In the event of a tie, the player with the most leftover resources (food, wood, clay, reed, stone, and grain) wins. If there is still a tie, the player who is earlier in turn order wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Agricola (Revised Edition) is a complex and strategic board game with many rules. As such, there are a few special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that players should be aware of:

1. Family Growth: When a player uses the ‘Family growth, also 1 minor improvement’ action space, they add a new family member to their home. However, the player must have room in their home for the new family member. If the player does not have enough room, they cannot use this action. This is an exception to the general rule that players can always use any action they choose.

2. Resource Accumulation: At the beginning of each round, one resource of each type is placed on each action space. If no player uses an action space in a round, the resources accumulate and are added to in the next round. This is an exception to the general rule that resources are not added to action spaces that are not used.

3. Start Player: The player who uses the ‘Take Start Player’ action space becomes the start player for the next round. This is a rare rule because it is the only action that affects turn order.

4. Renovation: When a player uses the ‘Renovate’ action space, they may also play a Major or Minor Improvement. However, they must renovate their house first before they can play the Improvement. This is a clarification because the action space might make it seem like the player can play the Improvement before renovating their house.

5. Feeding your Family: During each Harvest, players must feed their family members. Each family member requires 2 food. If a player cannot feed all of their family members, they receive a begging card for each missing food. This is a special rule because it is the only time players can receive begging cards.

6. Occupations and Improvements: Each Occupation and Improvement has its own set of rules. These rules can override the general rules of the game, so it’s important for players to read and understand each Occupation and Improvement they play.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Agricola (Revised Edition) is a fantastic strategy game that requires a careful balance of resource management, strategy, and planning. Here are some tips and strategies that can help new and advanced players alike.

Advanced Strategies:

Always aim for a diversified farm. The scoring system in Agricola heavily penalizes for any missing element, so ensure you have a bit of everything.
Try to maximize each action. Agricola is a game of efficiency. If you can get more out of each action, you are likely to do better. For example, waiting until you have more family members before sowing allows you to sow more fields.
Plan for feeding your family. It can be easy to get caught up in expanding your farm, but if you can’t feed your family, you’ll incur begging cards, which heavily penalize your score.
Don’t undervalue minor improvements and occupations. These cards can give you a huge advantage if used correctly. Be sure to plan your strategy around the cards you have.

Beginner Tips:

Focus on expanding your family early. More family members mean more actions each round, giving you a crucial advantage.
Don’t forget about your farm animals. They’re a good source of food and points, but they also need space and fences to keep them.
Remember that you can utilize the “Take 1 Grain” action to later use the “Sow” action, which can be a great way to increase your food supply.
Try to avoid taking begging cards at all costs. They subtract from your points, so always ensure you have enough food for the Harvest.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Forgetting to feed your family during the harvest. This is a common mistake that can lead to begging cards and a loss of points.
Ignoring certain aspects of your farm. A well-rounded farm scores the most points, so don’t neglect any part of it.
Not utilizing your cards. Many beginners forget to use or undervalue their minor improvements and occupation cards. These can provide substantial benefits and should be a part of your strategy.

Optimizing Gameplay:

Always plan a few turns ahead. Agricola is a game about strategy and long-term planning. Always be thinking about the next few turns and what actions you will need to take.
Try to minimize wasted actions. Every action in Agricola is precious, so make sure you are getting the most out of each one.
Adapt your strategy based on your occupation and minor improvement cards. These cards can drastically change your strategy, so be flexible and adapt your plan accordingly.