La Granja

2014

La Granja: a captivating board game where players develop farms, deliver goods, and strategically outwit opponents. Master timing and adaptability to win!

120
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

La Granja is a compelling and immersive board game that takes you to the rustic countryside of Spain. In this game, you become a skilled farmer, seeking to expand your small farm into a thriving agricultural enterprise. The game is a beautiful blend of strategic planning, resource management, and economic development, set against the serene backdrop of a Spanish village.

The theme revolves around the life of a farmer in a rustic Spanish village. Players, or ‘farmers’, cultivate their land, grow crops, raise livestock, and produce goods to sell at the local market. The setting is peaceful and idyllic, making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of life.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

La Granja is a multifaceted strategy game that involves resource management, worker placement, and economic development. Here are the key components of the game and their roles:

1. Game Board: The central component of ‘La Granja’, which shows the main market and spaces for cards, dice, and tokens. Players interact with the board to trade goods, purchase tools, hire helpers, and sell products.

2. Player Boards: Each player has their own farm represented by a player board. These boards are used for tracking individual farm development, such as buildings constructed, fields sown, and goods produced.

3. Farm Cards: These cards represent different farm elements that players can add to their farms. They are versatile and can be used as a field, a farm extension, a market barrow, or a helper.

4. Dice: Six-sided dice are used to determine the availability and cost of resources each turn. The dice are rolled at the beginning of each round and their results affect the actions available to players.

5. Commodity Tokens: These tokens represent the various products that farms can produce, such as grain, olives, grapes, and pigs. Players collect these tokens by performing certain actions and can use them to fulfill market demands or trade for other resources.

6. Revenue Markers: These markers are used to track the income that players earn from selling goods. They are crucial for economic strategy, as players must manage their income carefully to invest in their farms and pay for various expenses.

7. Delivery Markers: Players use these markers to fulfill orders at the market. A successful delivery can earn players valuable points and increase their revenue.

8. Roof Markers: These markers represent the development of a player’s farm. As players construct buildings or extend their farms, they place roof markers on their player boards to track progress.

9. Donkey Markers: Donkeys are needed to deliver goods to the market. These markers indicate how many deliveries a player can make each turn.

10. Craft Buildings: These are special buildings that players can construct on their farms. Craft buildings provide additional benefits, such as extra actions or resources.

11. Score Track: A round track on the game board where players track their victory points. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Each component of ‘La Granja’ interacts with the others to create a complex and engaging game. Players must strategically manage their resources, make smart investments, and navigate the market to develop successful farms and earn the most points.

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

La Granja is a fun and strategic board game that requires careful planning and resource management. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

1. Player Roles:

Each player in La Granja assumes the role of a farmer who is trying to build the most successful farm. They will manage resources, grow crops, raise livestock, and sell goods at the market.

2. Board Placement:

Place the main game board in the center of the play area. This board contains the market, where players can sell goods; the craft buildings where players can produce goods; and the scoring track. Each player should have a farm board in front of them, along with a player aid card.

3. Initial Resources:

Each player begins the game with 1 silver, 1 wood, 1 stone, 1 grain, 1 pig, and 1 roof tile. These are placed in the appropriate spaces on the player’s farm board. Each player also starts with a farm extension card, which they can use to expand their farm.

4. Random Elements:

Shuffle the farm cards and deal 4 to each player. These cards can be used for various purposes, including expanding your farm, producing goods, or hiring helpers. The remaining farm cards form a draw pile.

5. Market Barrows:

Shuffle the market barrow tiles and place them face down in a pile. Draw 6 tiles and place them face up on the spaces on the market. These tiles represent goods that players can sell at the market.

6. Siesta Track:

Place the siesta track next to the main game board. Each player places a marker on the starting space of the siesta track. This track is used to determine turn order and to earn extra points.

7. Craft Buildings:

Shuffle the craft building tiles and place them face down in a pile. Draw 7 tiles and place them face up on the spaces on the main game board. These tiles represent buildings that players can construct to produce goods.

8. Delivery Counters:

Each player takes a set of delivery counters in their color and places them in front of them. These counters are used to keep track of the goods that each player has delivered to the market.

9. Start the Game:

The player who most recently visited a farm goes first. Play proceeds clockwise around the table.

Now that you have set up the game, you are ready to start playing La Granja!

Game flow Round and round we go

‘La Granja’ is a fascinating board game with a rich set of rules. The game takes place over several rounds, each broken down into six phases. During each phase, all players perform certain actions before moving on to the next phase. Let’s delve into the details of each phase.

Phase 1: The Income Phase

During the Income Phase, players receive goods shown on their farm display’s income bar. The goods vary based on the player’s farm display and can include commodities like silver, wood, stone, and grain.

Phase 2: The Card Phase

At the start of the Card Phase, players draw cards from the deck and choose one to keep, while passing the remaining cards to the next player. The selected card can be used in four ways: as a field, as a farm extension, as a market barrow, or as a helper.

Phase 3: The Transport Phase

In the Transport Phase, players use their donkey counters to move goods from their farm display to their market barrows. These goods are then delivered to the market in the next phase.

Phase 4: The Building Phase

During the Building Phase, players can construct buildings using resources from their farm display. Buildings provide players with various benefits and abilities that can assist them throughout the game.

Phase 5: The Scoring Phase

Once all players have performed their actions in the Building Phase, the Scoring Phase begins. In this phase, players earn victory points based on the goods delivered to the market, the buildings constructed, and the helpers employed.

Phase 6: The End of Round Phase

At the end of the round, all players replenish their resources, draw new cards, and prepare for the next round. This phase marks the end of a round and the beginning of a new one.

After a set number of rounds, the game ends, and the player with the highest score wins. The ‘La Granja’ board game is an intriguing balance of strategic planning, resource management, and tactical execution.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

La Granja is a complex strategy board game which offers a variety of actions and strategic choices during a player’s turn. These decisions can greatly impact the outcome of the gameplay. Here is a detailed breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn in ‘La Granja’.

I. Income Phase

Firstly, during the Income Phase, players collect their income. The income is based on the cards the player has placed on their farm. This may include silver, goods, or helpers.

Silver: Players use silver to buy goods or cards.
Goods: These can be used to fulfill orders or exchanged for silver.
Helpers: These provide players with special abilities or bonuses.

Remember, the more income-generating cards a player has on their farm, the more resources they will receive during this phase.

II. Card Phase

Next is the Card Phase. During this phase, players select one card from their hand of four cards. They can use this card in one of four ways:

As a Market Barrow: To deliver goods for victory points.
As a Field: To produce goods.
As a Farm Expansion: To gain various benefits.
As a Helper: To gain special abilities.

Strategic placement of cards can significantly enhance a player’s ability to produce goods and earn victory points.

III. Transportation Phase

In the Transportation Phase, players can deliver goods to the market using their market barrows. Each market barrow requires a certain combination of goods. Once a barrow is full, it can be delivered to the board for victory points. The timing of deliveries and the choice of barrows can greatly affect a player’s score.

IV. Scoring Phase

The last phase is the Scoring Phase. Players earn victory points based on the goods they have delivered and the cards they have played. The player with the most victory points wins the game.

In conclusion, each turn in ‘La Granja’ involves strategic decision-making about resource management, card placement, and timing. The player who best navigates these choices will be most likely to win the game.

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

The game of ‘La Granja’ ends after the completion of the 6th round, which is the final round of the game. This conclusion is triggered automatically and does not rely on any specific victory conditions being met. There are no actions that a player can take to prematurely end the game.

Once the 6th round is over, the players will move into the final scoring phase. Before this phase, players must take the following actions:

Complete all outstanding Orders: Any remaining resources on players’ Order cards must be used to complete as many Orders as possible. Players are not allowed to leave any Orders incomplete during this phase.
Empty Market Barrows: Any remaining goods on a player’s Market Barrow must be sold at the market. Players must do this prior to the final scoring phase.

After these actions have been taken, final scoring can commence. The victory conditions in ‘La Granja’ are based on Victory Points (VPs), which are accumulated throughout the game and in the final scoring. The conditions are as follows:

Victory Points from Orders: Players earn VPs based on the completed Orders. Each Order card has a specific number of VPs that are awarded when the Order is completed.
Victory Points from Market Barrows: Players earn VPs based on the goods sold in the market. Each Market Barrow has a specific number of VPs that are awarded when the goods are sold.
Victory Points from Craft Buildings: Players earn VPs from their Craft Buildings. Each Craft Building provides a specific number of VPs based on the conditions stated on the card.
Victory Points from Siesta Track: The player’s position on the Siesta Track determines the number of VPs they earn. The further along the track they are, the more VPs they earn.

The player with the highest total of Victory Points at the end of the final scoring is the winner of the game. In case of a tie, the player with the most leftover money is the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘La Granja’, players can earn victory points through a variety of methods. These points are accumulated throughout the game and tallied in the end, determining the winner.

Scoring during the game:

Players can earn points during the game in the following ways:

Delivery of Goods: When a player delivers goods to the market, they earn points equal to the value of the delivered goods.
Completion of Craft Buildings: Completing a craft building awards the player points equal to the value of the building.
Fulfilled Market Barrows: Each time a player completes a Market Barrow, they earn points as indicated on the Barrow.

Scoring at the end of the game:

At the end of the game, additional points are awarded as follows:

Leftover Goods and Silver: For every 5 leftover goods or silver pieces, players receive 1 point. Leftover goods and silver less than 5 are not counted.
Siesta Track: Players receive points based on their position on the Siesta track. The player furthest along the track receives 7 points, the second furthest 4 points, the third 2 points, and the fourth 1 point.
Market Barrow Bonuses: Players receive points for each fulfilled Market Barrow Bonus they have.
Donkey Tiles: Players receive points equal to the number on their collected donkey tiles.

Tie-breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, the winner is determined using the following tie-breaking rules, applied in order:

The player with the most leftover goods and silver wins.
If there is still a tie, the player furthest along the Siesta track wins.
If a tie still persists, the player who completed the most market barrows wins.
If a tie still remains, the player with the most donkey tiles wins.
If all of the above fail to break the tie, the player who went first in the initial round of the game wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘La Granja’ is a complex strategy game that requires careful planning and strategic thinking. It’s important to understand some of the special rules and exceptions to help you play the game more effectively. Here are some key points to remember:

Market Barrow: When you complete a Market Barrow, you can deliver the goods to the market. However, you cannot change the order of goods once it’s been placed on the Market Barrow. The goods must be delivered in the order they are placed.

Donkey: A donkey can transport goods to the market, but only one type of goods per transportation. This is an exception to the general rule that allows multiple goods to be transported at once.

Roof Tiles: If you decide to purchase a roof tile, remember that you cannot change or move it once it has been placed on your farm. This is a unique rule that only applies to roof tiles.

Income Track: If you reach the end of the Income Track, you can’t earn more income. However, you can still earn victory points. This is an exception to the rule that states that players can earn both income and victory points.
Siesta Time: Players can use the Siesta Time to move up in the turn order track. However, Siesta Time does not count as a regular action, so it doesn’t consume an action point.
End Game: The game ends after 6 rounds, not when all the fields are occupied. This is a common misunderstanding among new players.

Rule Clarifications
Remember that delivering goods to the market and completing Market Barrows are two separate actions. You can’t do both in the same turn.
When calculating scores, remember to add any bonus points from roof tiles to your total score.
During the scoring phase, don’t forget to score points for your position on the Siesta Track. The higher your position, the more points you score.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for ‘La Granja’

1. Drafting: The first round of drafting is very important in La Granja. Your first four cards will not only determine your immediate strategy but can also shape your long-term game. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose cards that can work together.

2. Balance: While it may seem tempting to focus on one aspect of your farm, it’s often better to keep a balanced approach. This means developing all areas of your farm gradually, including your market barrows, fields, and farm extensions.

3. Resource management: It’s essential to manage your resources effectively. While it’s important to store goods for future rounds, it’s equally important to deliver goods when the opportunity arises.

Beginner Tips for ‘La Granja’

1. Learning the cards: Familiarize yourself with what each card can do and how it can contribute to your farm’s development. This will help you make more informed decisions during the drafting phase.

2. Planning: Always have a plan for your turn and try to stick to it. However, be flexible as your opponents’ actions can affect your plan.

3. Don’t forget about the market: The market is a great way to earn money and points, so don’t neglect it. Try to deliver goods to the market as often as possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ‘La Granja’

1. Neglecting the market: A common mistake players make is neglecting the market. This is a major source of points and income, so it should not be overlooked.

2. Not planning ahead: La Granja requires strategic thinking and planning. If you play reactively, you’ll find yourself running out of resources and falling behind.

3. Overcommitting to one strategy: While it’s good to have a clear strategy, overcommitting to one aspect of your farm can leave you vulnerable. It’s important to keep a balanced approach.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in ‘La Granja’

1. Efficient use of cards: Each card in La Granja can be used in four different ways. Understanding these uses and making the most efficient use of your cards is key to optimizing your gameplay.

2. Optimizing your turn: Try to make the most out of each turn. This could mean using your workers efficiently, picking the right time to deliver goods, or choosing the right card to play.

3. Reacting to opponents: Pay attention to what your opponents are doing. This can help you anticipate their moves and react accordingly, giving you a competitive edge.