Glen More

2010

Immerse in the 17th century Scotland in Glen More! Strategically expand territory, trade goods, and wisely plan your turns for ultimate clan prosperity.

60
minutes

2 - 5
player(s)

13+

Medium

About the game

Glen More is a captivating board game that transports players to the scenic highlands of Scotland. It’s a journey through time, where each player represents a Scottish clan leader from the early medieval ages, expanding their territory and wealth to become the most prosperous clan.

The game’s theme and setting are beautifully represented with a rich, detailed game board, and components that evoke the feel of ancient Scotland. The core mechanics of the game revolve around tile laying, resource management, and a unique time track system.

Theme and Setting:

In Glen More, players find themselves in the dramatic landscapes of Scotland, surrounded by pristine lochs, rugged mountains, and green valleys. The game’s components, from the tiles to the resource tokens, are designed with great attention to detail, enhancing the immersiveness of the setting.

With every turn, players are not just placing tiles on a game board; they are building their clans, expanding territories, trading goods, and making strategic decisions that could shape the history of their clan. It’s a game that combines strategy, history, and culture in an engaging and interactive way.

Core Mechanics:

The core mechanics of Glen More are what set it apart from other board games. The game primarily revolves around tile placement and resource management.

What makes the game truly unique is its time track system. Players’ markers move along the track based on the number of tiles they pick. The player whose marker is furthest behind gets the next turn, making the turn order flexible and strategic.

Unique Features:

In Glen More, every decision matters. The innovative time track system ensures that players have to think carefully about each tile they pick. Grabbing a valuable tile might give immediate benefits, but it could also mean waiting longer for the next turn. It’s a balancing act between short-term gains and long-term strategy.

Moreover, the game has a unique scoring system. Players score points based on their least developed resource, encouraging balanced growth rather than focussing on a single resource. This feature adds a layer of complexity and strategy to the game, making every playthrough a unique experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or new to the hobby, Glen More offers an engaging, strategic, and immersive experience. It’s a journey through the highlands of Scotland, where every tile tells a story, and every decision shapes the future of your clan.

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Setup and rules summary

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The board game ‘Glen More’ has a wide variety of components that contribute to the game’s engaging gameplay and strategic depth. Here is a detailed list and explanation of each component:

1. Game Board:

The game board serves as the primary area where players interact. It is a rondel which determines the turn order and the availability of tiles.

2. 26 Location Tiles:

These tiles represent different locations in Scotland. Each tile has its unique advantages and can be used to gain resources, points, or special abilities. They are drawn from the game board and placed in the players’ territories.

3. 43 Clan Tiles:

Clan Tiles are used to represent your clan members. They are placed on the location tiles to activate them and generate resources or points. The more clan members on a tile, the more productive the tile becomes.

4. 28 Special Tiles:

Special tiles provide unique benefits that can influence the game in significant ways. For instance, they might provide additional resources or allow a player to take extra actions.

5. 4 Player Markers:

Player markers, often in the form of different color game pieces, represent each player on the game board. They are used to track the progression of each player and to determine turn order.

6. Resource Tokens:

These tokens represent the different resources that players can collect, such as wood, stone, and wheat. These resources are used to build buildings, trade, and score points.

7. 40 Scotsmen:

Scotsmen are used to activate tiles in a player’s territory. They can be moved from tile to tile as players see fit, generating resources or points from each tile they occupy.

8. 5 Dice:

The dice are used to determine the outcome of certain actions, such as battles or resource collection. The dice add an element of chance to the game, making each game unique.

9. Victory Point Tokens:

Victory point tokens are used to keep track of each player’s score. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins.

10. Player Boards:

Each player has a personal board where they can organize their resources, clan members, and tiles. The player board also helps track individual progress throughout the game.

11. Rulebook:

The rulebook contains all the rules and instructions for playing the game. It provides detailed descriptions of how each component works and how to play the game. It’s an essential tool for understanding and enjoying Glen More.

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

Glen More is a strategic board game where players act as Scottish clan leaders in the early medieval ages, expanding their territories and resources. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Board Placement

Place the game board in the middle of the table where all players can easily reach it. Ensure the side matching the number of players is facing up. The rondel (the circular track on the board) should be empty at the start.

Step 2: Tiles Setup

Sort the tiles according to the roman numerals (I, II, III) on their back, then shuffle each stack separately. Place a number of tiles from stack I onto the rondel equal to twice the number of players plus one. The remaining tiles from stack I form the draw pile.

Step 3: Setting Up Player Pieces

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding clan marker, scoring disc, and 6 clan members. The clan marker is placed on the starting tile of the rondel, and the scoring disc is put on the 0 space of the scoring track on the game board. Clan members are kept in the player’s personal supply.

Step 4: Initial Resources

Each player receives one wood, one stone, and one wheat token as starting resources. Players should keep these in their personal supply.

Step 5: Special Tiles

Shuffle the special tiles and place them face down next to the game board. Reveal as many special tiles as there are players plus one, and place them on the designated spaces on the game board.

Step 6: Dice Setup

Place the dice next to the game board. They will be used to determine the number of movement points for the river rafts and ships.

Step 7: Starting Player

Determine the starting player at random. This player places their clan marker on the starting tile of the rondel. In clockwise order, each other player does the same, placing their clan marker on the next empty space. The game is now ready to begin.

Step 8: Random Elements

As tiles are drawn from the stacks throughout the game, the element of randomness is introduced. However, strategic decision-making is key in Glen More, so even with the random draw of tiles, planned strategies are essential.

Game flow Round and round we go

‘Glen More’ is a fascinating board game that revolves around players taking the roles of Scottish clan leaders during the medieval period. The game is played in a series of rounds with no set number, and continues until all tiles from the game’s pool have been used. Players participate in a sequence of actions during each round, which include moving their clan markers, purchasing a terrain tile and executing the associated action, and potentially triggering a scoring phase.

Moving Clan Markers

Every round starts with the player whose clan marker is furthest back on the rondel. That player moves their marker forward to any tile on the rondel they wish to claim. This unique mechanic means that the same player can take multiple turns in a row if their marker remains at the back.

Purchasing a Terrain Tile

Once a player has moved their marker, they may purchase the terrain tile on which they landed. The cost of the terrain tile, indicated on the tile itself, is paid in resources. If a player cannot or does not wish to purchase a tile, they pick up a coin instead.

Executing Tile Action

After purchasing a tile, the player places it in their clan territory. Each tile has a specific action associated with it, which the player must execute immediately. Actions may include gaining resources, moving other tiles, or acquiring special abilities.

Scoring Phase

A scoring phase can be triggered when a player moves their clan marker to a tile depicting a person. When this happens, all players compare the number of each type of tiles in their territories. The player with the fewest of each type loses victory points.

End of the Game

The game ends when all tiles from the pool have been depleted. At this point, a final scoring phase takes place. Players tally up the points from their tiles, resources, and special abilities. The player with the most points is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Playing a turn in ‘Glen More’ involves a series of steps, each of which brings with it a unique set of actions and strategic choices. These choices can dramatically impact the overall gameplay and the possible outcomes of the game. The turn can be broken down into the following steps:

1. Move Your Scotsman:

The first action a player must take during their turn is to move their Scotsman. The player can move their Scotsman to any tile on the central game board, but they can’t move backwards. This choice is strategic because it determines which tiles the player can acquire and also influences when the player will get their next turn.

2. Acquire a Tile:

After moving their Scotsman, the player can choose to acquire the tile on which they landed. The player must pay the cost listed on the tile, which can require resources, coins, or a combination of both. Strategically, this is an important decision because acquiring tiles can provide the player with resources, abilities, and points that can help them win the game.

3. Activate Tiles:

Once a tile has been acquired, it is placed in the player’s territory and all adjacent tiles are activated, including the newly placed one. Each tile provides a specific action when activated, such as producing resources, moving the player’s Scotsman, or providing victory points. This step is strategic because the player must decide where to place their new tile to maximize the benefits they receive from activating tiles.

4. Check for Overpopulation:

At the end of their turn, the player must check their territory for overpopulation. If the number of tiles in a player’s territory exceeds the number of Scotsmen they have, they must remove tiles until the numbers match. This decision can be strategic because it can force the player to remove beneficial tiles if they aren’t careful about managing their population.

These are the primary actions and choices a player must make during their turn in ‘Glen More’. Each decision can have significant strategic implications, making ‘Glen More’ a game of careful planning and strategic thinking.

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

The game of ‘Glen More’ ends after the pile of tiles in the market has been exhausted. This triggers the final round of the game where all players get equal turns. The player who is last in the turn order gets to play their turn, ensuring that everyone has had an equal number of turns.

Once this final round is completed, the victory conditions are examined. The player with the highest total number of victory points is declared the winner. Victory points can be accumulated in several ways throughout the game:

Settlement Tiles: Some tiles, such as the castle and the whiskey distillery, provide victory points.
Chieftains: Chieftains provide victory points based on the number of Scotsmen on a player’s board.
Landmarks: Landmark tiles, such as Loch Ness or Ben Nevis, provide victory points depending on the conditions specified on the tile.
Special Tiles: Some special tiles provide victory points under certain conditions.

Before final scoring, players must also perform some final actions:

Activate Last Tile: The tile drawn by a player in the last round can be activated one final time. If it was a production tile, it will produce one last time. If it was a person tile, it will perform its action one last time.
Sell Goods: Players can sell any remaining goods in their storage for victory points. The selling price depends on the number of goods of the same type in the general supply.
Penalties: Any penalties must be applied. For example, if a player has more tiles than Scotsmen, they lose 3 points for each tile.

After all these steps, the player with the most victory points is declared the winner of ‘Glen More’.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Glen More’, players earn points through various methods. These include production and special buildings, persons, landmarks, and the size of their territory. The scoring system is a bit complex, but it rewards strategic planning and thoughtful gameplay.

1. Production and Special Buildings:

Production Buildings: These are the buildings that produce goods. Players earn points equal to the number of goods produced by these buildings.
Special Buildings: These buildings offer additional scoring opportunities. The amount of points varies depending on the building. For example, a Distillery converts barley into whiskey barrels, which are worth more points.

2. Persons:

Persons are tiles that represent famous figures from the Scottish history. Each person has a different scoring method. Some offer points for specific types of tiles in your territory, while others may give points based on the goods you have.

3. Landmarks:

Landmark tiles are unique and offer high scoring potential. For example, Loch Ness scores 3 points for each adjacent tile, while the Stone of Scone scores 6 points if it’s in the smallest territory.

4. Territory Size:

At the end of the game, players compare the size of their territories. The player with the fewest tiles in their territory loses points equal to the difference between their territory size and the size of the largest territory. This encourages players to expand their territories and not just focus on building specific tiles.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, the game has a specific set of tie-breaking rules. The player with the most leftover resources (excluding Scotsmen) wins. If there is still a tie, the player who passed the last player marker first is the winner.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Glen More is a rich and intricate board game that involves strategic placement and movement of tiles and game pieces. While it is generally straightforward, there are a few important exceptions and special rules to keep in mind:

Tile Activation: Unlike other games, in Glen More, your tiles are activated every time you pass over them with your clansman. This means you can use your resources and abilities more than once in a round, provided you can move your clansman to the appropriate tiles.

Tile Placement: In Glen More, you are not allowed to place tiles in an area that does not have a clansman present. This means you must carefully plan your movements and tile acquisitions to make the most of your turns.

Special Tiles: Some tiles in Glen More have special abilities or rules associated with them. For instance, the “Loch Ness” tile allows you to move any one of your clansmen to any other tile in your territory. The “Whisky Distillery” tile allows you to convert grain into whisky, which can be used for trading or fulfilling demand cards. It’s important to take note of these special tiles and use them to your advantage.

Scoring: Scoring in Glen More is a bit different from most games. Instead of earning points throughout the game, most of your points are scored at the end, based on the number of tiles in your territory, the number of whisky barrels you have, and the number of Scotsmen you have on the game board.

River Rule: One special rule in Glen More involves the rivers. Rivers can only flow from a higher elevation to a lower one, and as such, they can only be placed in a specific direction. This can limit your tile placement and should be considered when planning your strategy.

Endgame: Finally, it’s important to note that the game ends immediately when the last tile is drawn from the bag. This means that even if you have a great strategy in place, you may not get a chance to execute it if the game ends prematurely. Therefore, it’s important to make the most of each turn and be prepared for the endgame at any moment.

These rare and special rules add depth and complexity to Glen More, making it a fascinating and engaging game for all types of players.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Glen More is a strategic board game where players build their own territory inspired by the Scottish landscape. To succeed in this game, players need to balance their resource management, territory expansion, and point scoring. Below is a guide with advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Control the Timing: In Glen More, the player who is last on the track gets the next turn. This means you can potentially have multiple turns in a row. Use this to your advantage by planning your moves to keep yourself last as often as possible.
Optimize Your Resource Generation: Try to arrange your tiles so that when one tile is triggered, multiple tiles will be activated. This will give you a more efficient resource generation engine.
Specialize in Scoring: Each game, choose one or two ways of scoring to focus on, rather than trying to score in all areas. This allows you to specialize and optimize your turns for these goals.

Beginner Tips:

Remember that every tile you take advances your marker on the track. Try not to take too many tiles too quickly, as this will give your opponents more turns.
Keep an eye on the resources your opponents are collecting. This can give you an idea of their strategy and help you anticipate their moves.
Don’t forget to build distilleries and sell whisky. This can be a consistent source of points throughout the game.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

One common mistake is ignoring the special characters. Each of them can provide a strong advantage if used correctly, so be sure to consider them when choosing tiles.
Another mistake is failing to balance resource generation with points generation. It’s important to have a good engine for generating resources, but remember that points are what win the game.
Many players forget about the penalties for having more tiles than other players. Avoid taking too many tiles unless they significantly contribute to your strategy.

Optimizing Gameplay:

Keep track of the tiles that have been played and those that are yet to come. This can help you plan your strategy and anticipate future opportunities.
Try to keep your options open. It’s good to have a plan, but you should also be ready to adapt to the changing game board and the actions of your opponents.
Finally, practice is key. The more you play Glen More, the better you will understand its intricacies and the more effective your strategies will become.