Meadow

2021

Meadow: A captivating set collection board game. Players, as nature explorers, compete for discovery points by collecting unique watercolor cards. Your strategy and curiosity determine your success!

90
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the enchanting world of Meadow, a captivating board game that transports you to the heart of nature. This game is set in a serene landscape teeming with diverse flora and fauna, allowing you to experience the tranquility and beauty of the great outdoors without leaving the comfort of your home.

The magic of Meadow lies in its core mechanics, which is a unique blend of tile placement, set collection, and point-to-point movement. This combination creates a dynamic and immersive gaming experience. You are tasked with exploring the landscape, observing animals, and discovering new paths in your journey. The game unfolds as you place tiles on the board, each representing different elements of the natural world.

In Meadow, your objective is to score the most points by observing animals, discovering new paths, and fulfilling your own individual objectives. The game encourages strategic thinking as you have to carefully plan your moves and manage your resources to maximize your points.

One of the main features that makes Meadow unique is its beautiful and detailed artwork. Each tile is illustrated with meticulous attention to detail, bringing the natural elements to life. The game is not just about strategy, but also about enjoying the aesthetic experience.

The game also implements an innovative scoring system. Unlike other games where the scoring is straightforward, in Meadow, the scoring is multi-faceted and involves different strategies. This adds another layer of complexity and strategy to the game, making each playthrough a unique experience.

Theme: The game’s theme revolves around the beauty and diversity of nature. Players are explorers immersing themselves in this world, observing various species and discovering new paths.

Setting: The game takes place in an enchanting natural landscape that’s rich with various plants and animals. The setting is brought to life through the stunning artwork on each tile.

Core Mechanics: The core mechanics involve tile placement, set collection, and point-to-point movement. Players place tiles on the board to explore the landscape, observe animals, and discover new paths. The game also involves individual objectives that players must fulfill to score points.

Unique Features: The game’s unique features include its detailed artwork and innovative scoring system. The artwork is not just visually pleasing, but also plays a role in the gameplay. The scoring system adds complexity and strategy, making each playthrough a unique experience.

In conclusion, Meadow is much more than a board game; it’s an immersive journey into the tranquil world of nature. Whether you are a seasoned board game enthusiast or a beginner, this game offers a unique and enjoyable experience that combines strategy, aesthetics, and a love for nature.

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Setup and rules summary

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Meadow is a complex board game that brings players into nature. Below are the components included in the game and their functions:

1. Game Board

The game board is the central part of the game, where players place their cards and perform their actions. It represents the Meadow and is divided into various sections such as Mountains, Fields, and Forests, each with a unique set of rules.

2. Path Cards (16)

Path Cards are placed on the game board and they determine the order of play. These cards are divided into morning, day, evening, and night cards, each with a unique set of symbols and actions.

3. Environment Cards (75)

Environment Cards represent different types of environments in the Meadow. Players place animals, plants, and landscapes on these cards to score points. They are used to build a player’s ecosystem.

4. Life Cards (110)

Life Cards depict animals, plants, and landscapes. Players place these cards on their Environment Cards to score points and build their ecosystem. Each Life Card has a unique set of requirements and benefits.

5. Discovery Tiles (24)

Discovery Tiles are special items that players can collect during the game. They can be used to score extra points, gain special abilities, or modify the rules of the game.

6. Observation Cards (12)

Observation Cards are used to track the progress of players throughout the game. They provide additional ways of scoring points based on the types of cards and tiles a player has collected.

7. Tokens (4 sets)

Tokens are used to mark a player’s actions on the game board. Each player has a set of tokens in a different color.

8. Score Track

The Score Track is used to keep track of each player’s points throughout the game. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

9. Camp Tokens (28)

Camp Tokens are used by players to reserve cards on the game board. They allow players to plan their strategies and secure specific cards for future turns.

10. First Player Token

The First Player Token is used to determine the player who starts the game and is used to keep track of the turn order.

In Meadow, each component interacts with others to create a dynamic and immersive gameplay experience. The game’s mechanics and components work together to create a strategic and challenging game, where players must balance resource management, strategy, and timing to create the most vibrant and diverse ecosystem.

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

Meadow is a beautiful board game focused on observing nature. Setup for this game involves preparing the game board, arranging the environment cards, deciding player roles and starting resources. Here’s a detailed look at how this is done:

Step 1: Prepare the Game Board

Place the main game board in the middle of the table. It’s a four-sided board with different habitats represented on each side. The board should be within reach of all players.

Step 2: Arrange the Environment Cards

You will find four stacks of environment cards, sorted by the numbers I, II, III, and IV. Shuffle each stack separately and place them face down on the board in their corresponding spaces. Next, reveal the top card of each stack and place it in the respective slot on the game board.

Step 3: Prepare the Path Cards

Shuffle the path cards and place them in a deck next to the game board. Reveal four cards from the deck and place them in a row next to it. This will form the path where players will be able to place their tokens.

Step 4: Establish Player Roles

Every player should choose a color and take the corresponding set of camp tokens. Each player also gets a player board in their chosen color which will be used to keep their collected cards and tokens.

Step 5: Determine Initial Resources

Each player receives one of each type of observation token (square, circle, triangle). These tokens are used to acquire new cards during the game. Also, each player should place one of their camp tokens on the scoring track that runs around the outside of the game board.

Step 6: Decide the First Player

The rules suggest that the player who most recently visited a national park goes first, but you can decide this in any way you see fit. The chosen first player takes the first player token.

Step 7: Prepare Bonus Tokens

Shuffle the bonus tokens and place them face down next to the game board. Reveal and place one token on each of the four fields next to the path cards.

Step 8: Setup Discovery Tiles

Shuffle the discovery tiles and place them in a stack next to the game board. Each player draws one discovery tile from the top of the deck and places it next to their player board.

With these steps, you should now be ready to embark on your journey and enjoy the game of Meadow.

Game flow Round and round we go

Meadow is an engaging board game that combines elements of strategy and observation. The game is played over a series of rounds, with each round having a sequence of phases. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the game structure:

1. Game Setup:

Each player receives a set of path tokens, a camp token, and two personal board tokens.
The main board is prepared with the path cards placed in the appropriate spaces.
The stack of environment cards is shuffled, and four cards are placed face up in the meadow area.

2. Round Structure:

Placement Phase: Starting with the first player and continuing clockwise, each player places one of their path tokens on an empty path card on the main board. This may grant the player an action or a card.
Exploration Phase: Players can choose to play a card from their hand to their personal board if the card’s environment requirements are met.
Campfire Phase: Once all players have placed all their path tokens and performed their actions, they move their camp token to an empty campfire space and execute its effect.

3. End of Round: At the end of each round, the path cards are cleared and replaced with new ones from the deck. Then, the first player marker is passed to the next player.

4. Game End: The game ends after a set number of rounds (depending on the number of players). Players then tally their points based on their cards and bonus objectives. The player with the most points wins the game.

Throughout the game, players have to make strategic decisions about where to place their path tokens and which cards to play. The game encourages players to observe the changing conditions in the meadow and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Meadow is a board game that encourages strategic thinking and planning as players take on the role of explorers in a rich and diverse natural world. During a player’s turn, they perform a series of actions that can significantly affect the game’s progression.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of a player’s turn in Meadow:

Placement of Path Tokens: At the beginning of their turn, a player chooses one of their path tokens and places it on an available path slot on the board. The path slot they select will determine the action they can perform during that turn. Placing a path token is mandatory, and the player must be able to perform the corresponding action.
Performing an Action: After placing their path token, the player performs the action associated with the chosen path slot. Actions include taking a card from the main board or the deck, or activating a special action from a card already in their play area.
Card Placement: If the player’s action involved taking a card, they must then place this card in their play area. The strategic placement of cards is crucial in Meadow, as certain cards synergize well together, earning the player more points.
End of Turn: After performing their action and placing any acquired cards, the player’s turn ends. They then draw a new path token from the supply to replace the one they used.

Strategic choices can greatly impact the game’s outcome. Here are some possible strategies:

Focus on Synergies: Certain cards work well together and can earn the player bonus points. A player might choose to focus on acquiring these combinations of cards for a high scoring strategy.
Block Opponents: Players might strategically place their path tokens on slots they know their opponents need, blocking them from performing certain actions.
Utilize Special Actions: Some cards provide special actions when activated. Using these actions at the right time can give a player an advantage.
Plan for Scoring: Some cards only provide points at the end of the game. A player might opt for a long-term strategy, focusing on these cards instead of immediate gains.

In Meadow, understanding the potential of each action and making strategic choices can lead to a satisfying and rewarding gameplay experience.

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

Meadow is a strategic board game where players compete to create the most valuable meadow. The game ends after the 16th round, when all the rounds have been played out.

At the end of the game, the players must perform certain actions to determine their final scores. These actions include:

Counting the victory points on their meadow cards: Each card has victory points indicated on them. Players must sum up all these points.
Adding the bonus points: Players will receive bonus points for certain sets of cards. The details of these sets and the respective bonus points are indicated on the bonus cards.
Adding the points from the path tokens: Path tokens have points indicated on them. Players must add these points to their score.
Deducting the penalty points: Players will lose points if they have any unused path tokens at the end of the game. The penalty points are indicated on these tokens.

After adding up all the points, the player with the highest total wins the game. In case of a tie, the player with the most landscape cards wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most bonus cards wins. If a tie persists, the victory is shared.

In conclusion, the game of Meadow ends after 16 rounds, and the winner is determined by a series of actions performed to calculate the final score. By carefully strategizing and maximizing their points, players can edge out their competition and win the game.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Meadow is a board game where players gain points by observing various species in nature and discovering paths. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. Here’s how the scoring system works:

Observation Cards: Observation cards depict various species and elements of nature such as animals, plants, landscapes, and weather phenomena. Each card has a point value which contributes to the player’s total score.

Animals: Animal observation cards generally range from 1 to 5 points.
Plants: Plant observation cards typically range from 1 to 3 points.
Landscapes: Landscape observation cards offer a wide range of points, from 1 to 7.
Weather Phenomena: Weather phenomena cards hold the highest point values, ranging from 2 to 8 points.

Path Cards: Players can also score points by discovering paths. These paths are made up of a series of cards. The more cards in the path, the higher the point value.

A path of 2 cards is worth 2 points.
A path of 3 cards is worth 4 points.
A path of 4 cards is worth 7 points.
A path of 5 or more cards is worth 11 points.

Bonus Points: At the end of the game, bonus points are awarded based on the number of different types of observation cards collected. For example, having a diverse collection of animal cards can earn a player extra points.

In the event of a tie, the player who has the most points from observation cards wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most points from paths wins. If a tie still persists, the player who went first in the game wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Meadow is a game of strategy and skill where players compete to create the most appealing meadow. It’s a game that involves card drafting, set collection, and resource management. Here are some rare or special rules, exceptions, and rule clarifications:

1. Path Cards: Path cards are a unique aspect of Meadow. They allow players to move along the path and pick up extra resources. Players may choose to play a path card instead of an environment or animal card. This is an exception to the standard rule of playing environment or animal cards.

2. Discovery Tokens: Each player receives a set of discovery tokens at the start of the game. These tokens can be placed on the board to reserve a card for a later turn. This is a rare rule and an exception to the general rule that players must immediately claim a card when they select it.

3. Scoring: Scoring in Meadow is somewhat complex and may need clarification. Players score points based on the diversity and beauty of their meadow. Certain combinations of cards score additional points. For example:

Having a variety of different types of animals in your meadow scores additional points.
Having a balanced ecosystem, with a variety of plants and animals, also scores additional points.

4. Campfire Cards: Campfire cards are a special type of card that can be played to gain resources or special abilities. These cards can be played at any time during a player’s turn, which is an exception to the general rule that cards are played at the end of a player’s turn.

5. End of the Game: The game ends when the last card is drawn from the deck. This may occur before all players have had an equal number of turns, which is a rare rule in board games. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for Meadow

Meadow is a board game that requires strategic thinking and planning. Here are some advanced strategies to enhance your gameplay:

Plan ahead: In Meadow, it’s essential to plan your moves in advance. You should consider what cards you want to play, what cards your opponents might play, and how you can adapt your strategy to the changing game state.
Optimize your path: Try to build a path that allows you to score multiple points at once, rather than just focusing on individual cards.
Keep an eye on your opponents: Pay attention to what cards your opponents are playing and try to anticipate their strategies. This can help you block their moves and protect your own strategy.

Beginner Tips for Meadow

Starting with Meadow can be a bit challenging. Here are some beginner tips to get you started:

Understand the cards: Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the different cards and how they interact with each other. This will help you make better decisions during the game.
Start simple: Don’t try to make complex paths from the start. Instead, focus on creating simple paths that score you points.
Play defensively: As a beginner, it’s often better to play defensively rather than aggressively. This means focusing on protecting your own cards rather than trying to block other players.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Meadow

Here are some common mistakes that players often make in Meadow, and how to avoid them:

Ignoring your opponents: While it’s important to focus on your own strategy, you should also pay attention to your opponents. If you ignore what they’re doing, you could miss opportunities to block them or protect your own cards.
Overcomplicating your path: While it’s possible to build complex paths in Meadow, this can often lead to confusion and mistakes. Try to keep your paths simple and easy to follow.
Not planning ahead: Meadow is a game of strategy, and it requires planning. If you play cards without thinking about how they fit into your overall strategy, you’ll likely find yourself in a difficult situation.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in Meadow

Here are some ways to optimize your gameplay in Meadow:

Practice: The more you play Meadow, the better you’ll get. Practice different strategies and learn from your mistakes to improve your gameplay.
Study the cards: Each card in Meadow has its own unique abilities and interactions. By studying the cards, you can learn how to use them to your advantage.
Communicate: Meadow is a social game, and communication is key. Discuss your strategies with other players, ask for advice, and share your thoughts. This can help you improve your gameplay and have more fun.