Knarr

2023

Lead your Viking crew in Knarr, an engaging board game of exploration, strategy, and trade. Manage your crew and gain wealth and reputation through your adventures!

30
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Knarr is an immersive and strategic board game that invites players to step into the shoes of a Viking leader. The game’s theme is deeply rooted in Norse mythology and culture, and the aim is to establish the most prosperous trading post.

The game is set in the Viking Age, a time of exploration, trade, and conquest. As a player, you will be based in a small harbor town in the heart of Viking territory. Your goal will be to gather resources, build ships, trade with other settlements, and navigate the treacherous seas, all in the pursuit of wealth and power.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Knarr is an engaging board game that requires strategic decisions and calculated risks. Here are the components of ‘Knarr’ and a description of their uses:

1. Game Board

The game board represents the landscape where the action takes place. It consists of various territories, each with its own unique properties and advantages. The board is designed to be visually appealing and easy to understand, allowing players to quickly assess their strategies and make decisions.

2. Player Tokens

These tokens represent the individual players in the game. Each token has a unique design that corresponds to its player. Tokens are moved around the board according to the players’ decisions and the roll of the dice. They are used to claim territories, fight battles, and perform other actions.

3. Dice

Dice are used to introduce an element of chance to the game. They are rolled to determine the outcome of battles, the movement of tokens, and other random elements. The dice in ‘Knarr’ have six sides, each numbered from one to six.

4. Resource Cards

These cards represent the resources that players can gather and use. They include various types of goods such as wood, stone, and gold. Players can use these resources to build structures, trade with other players, or achieve certain objectives.

5. Building Tiles

Building tiles are used to represent the structures that players can build. These structures provide various benefits such as additional resources, victory points, or special abilities. Building tiles are placed on the game board in the territories controlled by the players.

6. 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 is the winner. Points can be earned in various ways, such as controlling territories, building structures, or achieving objectives.

7. Player Aid Cards

Player aid cards provide a summary of the game rules and a guide to the game’s iconography. They are a handy reference tool for players, especially those new to the game.

8. First Player Marker

The first player marker is used to indicate which player takes the first turn in each round. The marker is passed from player to player at the end of each round.

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

Setting up a game of ‘Knarr’ requires careful attention to ensure fair play and maximum enjoyment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Step 1: Board Placement

Place the main game board in the center of the playing area where it is easily accessible to all players. The board contains various trading posts, each with a different icon representing a different type of resource.

Step 2: Player Roles

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player board, ships, and cubes in their chosen color. The player boards represent the players’ own trading posts and will be used to store resources and trade goods.

Step 3: Resources Setup

Separate the resource tokens by type (wood, stone, fish, etc.) and place them in separate piles next to the game board. Each player receives a specific number of each resource token at the start of the game, as indicated in the game rules.

Step 4: Initial Ships and Cubes Placement

Every player places their ships on the designated starting spaces on the game board. The cubes are placed on the players’ own boards in the spaces provided. Each player starts the game with the same number of ships and cubes.

Step 5: Draw Initial Good Cards

Shuffle the goods cards and deal a certain number of cards to each player (as specified in the game rules). These cards represent the goods that players can trade at the trading posts.

Step 6: Random Elements

Set up the Event cards by shuffling them and placing them in a face-down pile next to the game board. These cards add a random element to the game, as they can change the conditions of the game each round.

Step 7: Determine the First Player

Determine the first player in a way of your choosing. The first player will take the first turn when the game starts.

Now that everything is set up, you’re ready to start playing ‘Knarr’. Enjoy your trading journey!

Game flow Round and round we go

Knarr is a strategic board game centered on Viking exploration and trade. The game typically lasts for several rounds, and each round is divided into distinct phases. The game ends when a player reaches a certain point threshold or when certain game conditions are met.

Each round of ‘Knarr’ is structured as follows:

Preparation Phase: At the start of each round, the game board is reset.
- New goods tokens are placed on the trading posts.
- Wind direction and strength are determined with a dice roll.
- Sea monster appearances are also determined with a dice roll.
Action Phase: During this phase, players take turns performing actions.
- A player may choose to move their ship, considering the current wind direction and strength. This can influence how far and in what direction the ship can move.
- Players may pick up goods from trading posts they reach.
- Players can trade goods at ports for points, with certain goods being more valuable at different ports.
- Players may also choose to fight sea monsters. Winning these battles can give extra points, but losing can damage the ship.
Scoring Phase: At the end of each round, players receive points based on their actions.
- Points are given for goods delivered to ports.
- Points are also awarded for sea monsters defeated.
- Bonus points may be awarded based on certain conditions, such as being the first to visit a new port or trading post.
End-of-Round Phase: After scoring, the next round begins with the Preparation Phase. If a player has reached the point threshold or if the game conditions have been met, the game ends and the player with the most points wins.

In Knarr, strategic planning, resource management, and a bit of luck with dice rolls are crucial to winning. Navigating the unpredictable seas and trading wisely to earn the most points is the key to victory.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Knarr is a captivating board game where players are viking traders, trying to earn the most glory through strategic trading, efficient ship management, and tactical combat. During a player’s turn in Knarr, they can perform a variety of actions which can greatly affect the gameplay. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the actions and strategic choices a player can make during their turn.

Action 1: Loading Goods

Load Goods onto Ship: A player can choose to load their goods onto their ship. The type and quantity of goods a player can load onto their ship depends on the size of the ship and the player’s available resources. This action can affect the player’s trading opportunities later in the game.

Action 2: Navigation

Sailing: Players can choose to sail their ship to different ports on the game board. The distance a ship can sail depends on the ship’s speed and the wind conditions on the board. Strategic sailing can allow players to reach profitable trading ports or avoid combat situations.

Action 3: Trading

Trade Goods: When a player’s ship is docked at a port, the player can choose to trade goods. The value of goods varies from port to port, and strategic trading can earn players a lot of glory.

Action 4: Combat

Engage in Combat: If a player’s ship is in the same sea zone as an opponent’s ship, the player can choose to engage in combat. Combat is resolved by comparing the combat values of the two ships, and the winner gets to steal some goods from the loser. Engaging in combat is a risky but potentially rewarding action.

Action 5: Upgrading

Upgrade Ship: A player can choose to upgrade their ship, increasing its speed, combat value, or cargo capacity. Upgrading a ship requires resources, but it can provide significant advantages in the later stages of the game.

Strategic Choices: All these actions present strategic choices to the players. They have to balance their resources, manage their ships efficiently, and make tactical decisions to earn the most glory. The player with the most glory at the end of the game is the winner.

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

The game of Knarr comes to an end when any player has filled all the spaces in their harbor with ship tiles. This triggers the final round of the game. Every player, including the one who triggered the final round, has an opportunity to play their remaining turns until everyone has had an equal number of turns. This ensures fairness and balance in the game.

Once the final round has concluded, it’s time for final scoring. Here are the steps players must take:

Step 1: Count the Victory Points on Ship Tiles

Each player needs to count the victory points on their ship tiles. Each ship tile has a specific number of points denoted by a star symbol.

Step 2: Calculate Points from Goods Tiles

Players then calculate points from their goods tiles. Each goods tile has a circle symbol with a number inside it, representing its victory point value. Add all these points together.

Step 3: Evaluate Bonus Tiles

Next, players evaluate their bonus tiles. These tiles provide additional points based on specific conditions. Each bonus tile has different symbols, so players must refer to the rulebook to understand how they score.

Step 4: Add Points from Gold Tokens

Players add points from their gold tokens. Each gold token is worth one victory point.

Once all these steps are complete, players add their totals from each category to determine their final scores. The player with the highest total is the winner. In the event of a tie, the player with the most gold tokens wins. If there is still a tie, the player who triggered the end of the game is the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In Knarr, the board game, players accumulate points throughout the game by completing various tasks and fulfilling certain conditions. These tasks and conditions fall under several categories. Here is a detailed breakdown of the scoring system:

1. Ship Building:

Ship body: Each fully completed ship body earns players 2 points.
Sails: For each sail a player attaches to their ship, they earn 1 point.

2. Voyages:

Successful Voyage: A successful voyage, i.e., one that reaches its destination, earns a player 3 points.
Failed Voyage: A failed voyage, i.e., one that does not reach its destination, deducts 1 point from a player’s score.

3. Trade:

Goods: Players earn 1 point for each set of different types of goods they have collected.
Rare Goods: Rare goods earn players an extra 2 points each.

4. Exploration:

New Islands: Discovering a new island grants players 5 points.
New Routes: Establishing a new trade route gives players 3 points.

After all rounds have been played and all points have been tallied, the player with the highest total score is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaking rules are applied:

The player with the most completed ships wins.
If the tie persists, the player who has completed the most successful voyages wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most sets of different types of goods wins.
Finally, if the tie cannot be resolved by the above methods, the player who first reached the tied score wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Understanding the special rules and rare exceptions of the board game ‘Knarr’ can greatly enhance your gameplay. Below, you’ll find a detailed overview of these rules and clarifications.

Special Rules:

Harbor Master: Only one player can occupy the Harbor Master space at a time. If a player already occupies this space, other players cannot place their ship there until the occupying player moves their ship.
Wild Cards: Wild cards can stand for any commodity. Players can play a wild card at any time, but they can only have one wild card in their hand at a time.
Double Commodity Cards: These cards count as two of the same commodity. They can only be used once per turn.

Exceptions:

If the draw pile runs out of cards, shuffle the discard pile and use it as the new draw pile.
In the event of a tie, the player who completes their ship first gets the Harbour Master title.
Commodity cards cannot be traded or given to other players. They can only be gained through drawing, trading with the bank, or using certain action cards.

Rule Clarifications:

Players cannot move their ship from the Harbor Master space unless they complete their ship or another player forces them to move.
Wild cards can be used in combination with any commodity card, including double commodity cards.
A player cannot draw a card after they have chosen to end their turn.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies in ‘Knarr’

‘Knarr’ is a game of strategy and foresight, requiring players to predict their opponent’s moves and respond accordingly. Here are some advanced strategies:

Optimize Shipyard Actions: Be strategic with your shipyard actions. The right action at the right time can provide a significant advantage. For instance, building a ship when your opponent is low on resources can limit their options.
Use Special Abilities Wisely: Each player has special abilities that can turn the tide of the game. Use them wisely and at the most opportune moments to maximize their effectiveness.
Control the Market: Controlling the market can provide a steady income of resources. Make sure to keep an eye on the market and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Beginner Tips for ‘Knarr’

If you’re new to ‘Knarr’, here are some tips to get you started:

Understand the Rules: Before playing, make sure you understand the rules of the game. This will help you make informed decisions and develop a strategy.
Start Small: Don’t try to do everything at once. Start with simple strategies and gradually incorporate more complex ones as you become more comfortable with the game.
Learn from Others: Watch other players and learn from their strategies. This can provide valuable insights and help you improve your own gameplay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ‘Knarr’

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when playing ‘Knarr’:

Ignoring the Market: Many players ignore the market, which can be a costly mistake. The market can provide valuable resources and should not be overlooked.
Underutilizing Special Abilities: Special abilities are a powerful tool in ‘Knarr’. Failing to use them effectively can put you at a disadvantage.
Not Planning Ahead: ‘Knarr’ is a game of strategy, and planning ahead is key. Failing to plan can result in missed opportunities and wasted resources.

Optimizing Gameplay in ‘Knarr’

To optimize your gameplay in ‘Knarr’, consider the following:

Develop a Strategy: Having a clear strategy can help you make the most effective decisions. Consider your options and choose the best course of action.
Adapt to the Situation: The game can change quickly, and being able to adapt your strategy is crucial. Be flexible and ready to change your plans if necessary.
Practice: The more you play, the better you’ll get. Practice regularly to improve your skills and understanding of the game.