Dorfromantik: The Board Game

2022

Dorfromantik: The Board Game - a captivating family game of strategy, puzzle and building. Collaboratively shape landscapes, fulfill tasks and unlock new challenges!

60
minutes

1 - 6
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a beautifully crafted, strategy-based board game that takes you on a journey through charming rural landscapes. Set amidst serene pastures, enchanting forests, and quaint villages, the game promises an immersive experience that combines strategic planning, creativity, and a dash of luck.

The game’s setting is a picturesque countryside that players get to shape and breathe life into. The theme revolves around designing and expanding your own peaceful country idyll. Its core mechanics are centered around tile placement, creating a landscape by drawing and placing hexagonal tiles that depict different pieces of the landscape like forests, fields, houses, and rivers.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is an immersive and strategic board game that requires careful planning and decision-making. Here’s a list of all the components included in the game along with a brief description of their roles and how they interact with the game:

1. Hexagonal Tiles: Each game of Dorfromantik starts with players having a stack of these tiles. Each tile represents different types of landscapes like forests, villages, fields, and bodies of water. Players place these tiles one by one on the board to form the landscape of the game.

2. Objective Cards: These cards provide players with specific tasks or goals to accomplish during the game. For instance, a card might require a player to build a certain number of contiguous forest tiles or a village of a certain size. Completing these objectives gives players extra points.

3. Points Tracker: This is a board used to keep track of each player’s score. Players move their marker up the track each time they score points, either by placing tiles or completing objectives.

4. Player Markers: Each player has a marker of a unique color that they move along the points tracker to indicate their current score.

5. Bonus Tokens: These are special tokens that players can earn by fulfilling certain conditions, such as completing a large area of a single landscape type. These tokens give players extra abilities or points.

During a player’s turn, they will draw a tile from their stack and place it on the board. The tile must be placed next to at least one existing tile and the landscapes on the edges of the tiles must match. For instance, a water tile must be placed next to another water tile. After placing a tile, the player will score points based on the size of the contiguous landscape they have created. If the player completes an objective on one of their cards, they will score extra points and may draw a new objective card.

The game continues in this way, with players taking turns to place tiles and score points, until all tiles have been placed. At that point, the player with the highest score wins.

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

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a peaceful and engaging game where players aim to create their own idyllic landscape. Follow this step-by-step guide to properly set up your game.

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player in Dorfromantik assumes the role of a landscape architect. Everyone will have the same abilities and opportunities – the aim is to use these as efficiently as possible. The goal is to score the most points by placing tiles to create beautiful landscapes.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the main game board in the center of the table. This is where players will place their landscape tiles. Ensure it’s within reach of all players to facilitate easy gameplay.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Shuffle the landscape tiles and deal each player 5 tiles. These tiles form each player’s personal draw pile.
Each player draws 1 tile from their draw pile and places it in front of them. This is the starting tile for their landscape.

Step 4: Random Elements

In Dorfromantik, randomization is part of the game’s charm. The landscape tiles are shuffled and dealt randomly at the start of the game, meaning each player will have a unique set of tiles to create their landscape. Additionally, bonus tiles are drawn randomly from a pile during gameplay, adding an extra layer of unpredictability and strategy.

Step 5: Game Start

The player who most recently visited a park goes first. If there is a tie, the youngest player starts. Gameplay continues clockwise.

With these steps, you’re now ready to begin your journey into the peaceful, strategic world of Dorfromantik. Enjoy creating your own unique landscapes and may the best designer win!

Game flow Round and round we go

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a tile-placement game that allows players to build their own picturesque village. The game is played in rounds, with each player taking turns to place a tile and perform actions until all the tiles have been exhausted.

Game Setup:

Each player is dealt a hand of six tiles from the shuffled stack.
The remaining stack of tiles is placed face down within easy reach of all players.
The first player is determined randomly, and the game begins.

Gameplay:

Tile Placement: On a player’s turn, they choose a tile from their hand and place it on the table. The tile must be placed so that at least one side matches an existing tile on the table (similar to dominoes).
Action Phase: After placing a tile, the player may choose to perform one of the following actions:

Expand: The player may choose to expand an existing feature on the table (such as a field, forest, or lake) by placing a matching tile adjacent to it.
Complete: If a player completes a feature by enclosing it with tiles, they score points equal to the number of tiles that make up the feature.
Draw: If a player cannot or chooses not to perform the above actions, they draw a new tile from the stack and add it to their hand.

End of Turn: At the end of their turn, the player checks if they have six tiles in their hand. If not, they draw tiles from the stack until they have six.

Game End:

The game ends when all tiles from the stack have been drawn and any one player has no more tiles left in their hand. The player with the highest score, calculated based on the number of completed features, is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In ‘Dorfromantik: The Board Game’, a player’s turn is composed of various actions that can significantly impact the outcome of the game. Here is a detailed breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn.

1. Draw a Tile

At the start of their turn, the player draws a tile from the tile stack. This is a chance to strategize, as the type of tile drawn may impact the player’s future moves. It’s important to note that each tile features different types of landscapes like forests, fields, and villages.

2. Place a Tile

The player then has to place the drawn tile adjacent to a tile that’s already on the board. The placement of the tile is crucial for scoring points. For example, connecting similar landscapes (forest to forest, field to field, etc.) earns points.

3. Score Points

After placing a tile, the player scores points. The scoring system varies depending on the landscapes connected. For instance, linking two village tiles scores more points than linking two field tiles. The aim here is to achieve as many points as possible, so the player needs to make strategic decisions about where to place their tiles.

4. Complete Quests

Some tiles come with quests that give players opportunities to earn extra points. To complete a quest, a player must meet certain conditions with their tile placement. For instance, a quest might require placing a certain number of similar landscapes together. Completing quests can provide a significant points boost, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game.

5. End of Turn

The player’s turn ends after they score points for their placed tile and any completed quests. The game continues with the next player doing the same steps: drawing a tile, placing it, scoring points, and potentially completing quests.

Understanding these steps and their strategic implications is key to mastering ‘Dorfromantik: The Board Game’. Players must carefully consider their options at each stage of their turn, balancing the need to score points with the benefits of completing quests and the long-term impact of their tile placements.

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

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a tile placement game where players aim to create the most harmonious village landscape. The game concludes when all players have placed all their tiles.

Game End Conditions:

Tile Exhaustion: The game ends immediately when a player cannot place any more tiles because their personal pile is empty.
No Placement Options: Alternatively, if a player cannot legally place a tile due to the configuration of the board, the game also ends.

Victory Conditions:

Victory in Dorfromantik is determined by the number of points each player has scored through the course of the game. The player with the highest total score at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Tile Placement: Players score points for each tile they place. The value of a tile is determined by the landscape it depicts and how well it fits into the surrounding area.
Completing Tasks: Each player has a number of tasks to complete during the game, which can range from connecting specific types of landscapes to creating specific patterns with their tiles. Each completed task scores additional points.
Scenic Bonuses: Players can also score points for creating particularly scenic landscapes, such as large forests or fields.

Before Final Scoring:

Before final scoring, each player must make sure all tiles have been placed from their personal pile. Any incomplete tasks are also counted and any penalties for these are deducted from the players’ final scores.

Tile Placement: Each player must place any remaining tiles from their personal pile, if possible. If a player cannot place a tile, it is removed from the game and the player loses points equal to the tile’s value.
Task Completion: Any uncompleted tasks are counted and points are deducted from the player’s final score for each uncompleted task.

Once all tiles have been placed and all penalties have been accounted for, the player with the most points is the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a strategic tile-placement game where players build landscapes and score points based on the configurations of their tiles. The game ends when all tiles have been placed, and the player with the highest score wins.

Scoring Points:

Tile Placement: Each tile placed on the board gives players a base score of 1 point.
Matching Features: When a tile is placed next to another tile with a matching feature (forest, field, water, town), the player scores additional points equal to the number of tiles in that contiguous feature.
Completing Quests: Each tile has a quest icon (forest, field, water, town). If a player can place that tile so it completes a contiguous feature of the same type, they score bonus points. The number of bonus points varies depending on the difficulty of the quest.
Perfect Fit: If a player places a tile and all its sides match the surrounding tiles, they receive a bonus of 10 points.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, the following rules are applied in order until the tie is broken:

Most Completed Quests: The player who has completed the most quests wins.
Least Number of Tiles: If players are still tied, the player with the least number of tiles left wins.
First Player Advantage: If the tie still remains, the player who started the game first wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a tile-placement game where players create a beautiful, ever-growing landscape. While the game is quite straightforward, there are a few special rules and exceptions that players should be aware of.

1. The Tile Adjacency Rule:

In the game, each tile has different types of terrain, such as forest, village, or wheat fields. These tiles must be placed next to another tile with at least one similar terrain. If a tile cannot be placed according to this rule, that tile is discarded and the player loses a turn.

2. The Quest Completion Rule:

Each tile may have a Quest symbol, indicating a specific type of terrain or feature to be connected. Upon fulfilling the Quest, players earn bonus points. However, players should be aware that a Quest can only be completed at the moment the tile is placed. If the required connection is made afterwards by placing adjacent tiles, it does not count.

3. The Endgame Rule:

The game ends when the tile stack is exhausted and all players have used all their tiles. It’s important to note that players do not refill their hand at the end of their turn as in other stages of the game.

4. The Scoring Rule:

Scoring in Dorfromantik can be a bit complex. Points are scored for connecting similar terrains, completing quests, and creating large connected areas of the same terrain type. However, it’s crucial to remember that points for terrain connections are only scored when the tile is placed, not afterwards.

Rule Clarifications:

Overlapping Tiles: If a player accidentally places a tile overlapping another, they must immediately rectify the error by moving the overlapping tile to a legal position. If no such position exists, the tile is discarded.
Tile Rotation: While it’s not explicitly stated in the rules, players are free to rotate their tiles in any direction before placement, providing more strategic options.
Empty Quests: If a tile with a quest is drawn but there are no appropriate tiles left in the stack, the quest is considered unfulfillable. The tile can still be placed normally, but no bonus points will be awarded for that quest.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Dorfromantik: The Board Game is a tile-placement game that rewards strategic thinking and careful planning. Below are some tips and strategies that will help you excel in the game, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player.

Advanced Strategies:

Plan Ahead: Keep an eye on your stack of tiles and plan your placements ahead of time. This allows you to make the most of your upcoming tiles and avoid getting stuck with a difficult placement.
Maximize Scoring Opportunities: Always aim to place your tiles in a way that maximizes your scoring opportunities. This could mean completing a large forest or connecting multiple fields together.
Use Special Tiles Wisely: Special tiles can drastically alter the board and offer huge scoring opportunities. Use them wisely and try to save them for when they can make a big impact.

Beginner Tips:

Start by focusing on completing small areas instead of going for large, complicated ones. This helps you rack up points quickly and get a feel for the game’s mechanics.
Try to keep your options open. If you place your tiles in a way that limits your future placements, you could find yourself in a tough spot later in the game.
Don’t forget about your quests. They offer bonus points and can be a good way to catch up if you’re falling behind.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Quests: Ignoring your quests can be a costly mistake. They offer bonus points and can make a big difference in close games.
Not Planning Ahead: If you don’t plan your placements ahead of time, you could find yourself stuck with a difficult tile and no good place to put it.
Wasting Special Tiles: Special tiles are a powerful resource. Wasting them on low-impact placements can make it much harder to win the game.

Optimizing Gameplay:

Keep the Board Balanced: Try to keep your board balanced in terms of the different types of areas. This gives you more flexibility and makes it easier to place your tiles.
Be Flexible: While it’s good to have a plan, it’s also important to be flexible. The tiles you draw can change the game dramatically, so be ready to adapt your strategy on the fly.
Practice: Like any game, the best way to improve is to practice. The more you play, the better you’ll get at spotting scoring opportunities and planning your placements.