Woodcraft

2022

Experience the thrill of woodland competition in Woodcraft. Gather resources, craft goods, hire helpers, and build the most successful workshop. Perfect for strategic thinkers and nature lovers alike.

120
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Woodcraft is an exhilarating board game that takes you deep into the heart of a mystical forest, where strategy, creativity, and a dash of luck can turn the tide of the game. This game is characterized by its distinctive theme, immersive setting, carefully thought-out mechanics, and unique game elements that set it apart in the realm of board games.

The theme of Woodcraft revolves around the magic and mystery of the forest. The players transform into forest dwellers, each with unique abilities, striving to build, grow, and protect their woodland home. The game beautifully integrates elements of fantasy, strategy, and nature, creating an enchanting atmosphere that captivates players of all ages.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Woodcraft is a strategic board game that encompasses resource management, territory control, and planning ahead. The game includes several components, each playing a unique role in the gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of each component:

1. Game Board:
The game board represents a forest where players will be placing their workers and building structures. It is divided into hexagonal spaces that each represent different types of resources: wood, stone, and food. Players will move around the board, with the position of their workers and structures influencing their ability to gather resources and control territory.

2. Player Tokens:
Each player has a set of tokens in their chosen color. These tokens represent the player’s workers in the game. Players will place their workers on the game board to gather resources and build structures. The position of these tokens can also block other players from accessing certain areas of the board.

3. Structures:
Structures are represented by wooden pieces in each player’s color. There are three types of structures: huts, workshops, and towers. Huts allow players to add more workers to their supply, workshops increase the efficiency of resource collection, and towers increase a player’s territorial control. Structures must be built on the game board using resources collected by workers.

4. Resource Tokens:
Resource tokens are small, colored pieces that represent the three types of resources: wood, stone, and food. These resources are collected by workers and used to build structures. The number of resources a player can collect each turn is determined by the number and position of their workers and workshops on the game board.

5. Cards:
Cards provide players with special abilities or bonuses that can influence the game in various ways. Players can draw cards by placing a worker in the ‘forest clearing’ space on the game board. The effects of these cards can range from allowing players to move extra spaces, gather additional resources, or even remove other players’ workers from the board.

6. Dice:
The dice in Woodcraft are used to determine the outcome of certain actions, such as battles for territory control. Players will roll the dice and compare their results to determine the victor in these situations.

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

Woodcraft is a strategic board game that requires careful planning, resource management, and a bit of luck. The following guide will walk you through the process of setting up the game, explaining player roles, board placement, initial resources, and the random elements involved in the game.

Player Roles:

Each player in Woodcraft takes on the role of a forester, responsible for managing a stretch of woodland. The goal is to harvest resources, build structures and outwit other players to earn the most victory points.

Board Placement:

The board should be placed in the center of the play area, within reach of all players. The board is divided into different sections, each representing a type of terrain: forest, mountains, plains, and lakes.

Initial Resources:

At the start of the game, each player is given a set of initial resources. This usually includes:

A number of wood tokens, the primary resource in the game.
A selection of building cards, representing potential structures to be built.
A hand of action cards, which allow players to perform special actions throughout the game.

The exact number of each resource may vary based on the number of players.

Random Elements:

There are several random elements in Woodcraft to keep the game exciting and unpredictable. These include:

The Resource Deck: A deck of cards that determine the availability of resources each round. A card is drawn at the start of each round, dictating which resources are available for that turn.
The Event Deck: A deck of cards that introduce random events into the game. These can help or hinder players, adding an extra layer of strategy and uncertainty.
The Dice: Used to resolve certain actions, such as combat or resource gathering. The roll of the dice can drastically change the outcome of these actions.

Once the board is set up, the initial resources are distributed, and the decks and dice are placed within reach of all players, you’re ready to start playing Woodcraft. Remember, the aim of the game is not just to gather resources and build structures, but to do so more efficiently and strategically than your opponents.

Game flow Round and round we go

Woodcraft is a highly engaging board game where players compete to build the most prosperous forest. The game is divided into several rounds, each with specific actions for the players to perform. A single game of Woodcraft is typically structured as follows:

The game starts with a setup phase where each player receives a starter deck of cards, representing their initial resources and actions. The game board, representing the forest, is prepared with tiles placed face down in a grid.

1. Resource Gathering Phase: During this phase, each player draws cards from their deck to form their hand. These cards represent various resources such as wood, stone, and wildlife. The total number of cards drawn depends on the player’s current level.

Action: Draw Cards: Players draw cards up to their hand limit.

2. Planning Phase: In this phase, players plan their actions for the round. This includes deciding which resources to gather, which areas of the forest to explore and develop, and which cards to play.

Action: Plan: Players decide and declare their intended actions for the round. These actions can be changed during the action phase, but some penalties may apply.

3. Action Phase: This is when players execute their plans. They can use their resources to build structures, explore new areas of the forest, or perform special actions based on their cards. Players can also trade resources with each other during this phase.

Action: Build: Players use resources from their hand to build structures on the game board. Each structure provides different benefits and points.
Action: Explore: Players can use their actions to flip over face-down tiles on the game board, revealing new areas of the forest.
Action: Trade: Players can negotiate and trade resources with each other to help in their builds or exploration.

4. Scoring Phase: After all players have performed their actions, the round ends with a scoring phase. Players earn points based on the structures they’ve built, the areas of the forest they’ve explored, and any bonus points from their cards.

Action: Score: Players tally their points for the round, add them to their score from previous rounds, and update the scoreboard accordingly.

The game concludes after a set number of rounds, or when a certain score is reached. The player with the highest score at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In ‘Woodcraft’, one of the most intriguing board games, each player’s turn is composed of three main phases: the Resource Gathering Phase, the Building Phase, and the Action Phase. The way a player navigates these phases can have a significant impact on the overall outcome of the game.

1. Resource Gathering Phase:

During this phase, players roll the dice to determine what resources they can collect. The resources are represented on the dice by different symbols, each corresponding to a specific type of resource: wood, stone, and gold.

Wood: Used for building structures and creating tools.
Stone: Used for building stronger structures and advanced tools.
Gold: A rare resource used for building advanced structures, tools, and for trading purposes.

The strategic choice here lies in deciding how to allocate and use these resources, as careful management can significantly affect the game’s progress and the player’s success.

2. Building Phase:

After gathering resources, players enter the Building Phase, where they can use their resources to construct new structures or tools. The type of building or tool that can be made depends on the resources available to the player.

Structures: These include buildings like huts, workshops, and fortresses, which can provide various benefits to the player such as additional resource production, defense, or victory points.
Tools: These can be simple tools like axes and hammers, or advanced tools like saws and pickaxes. Tools can increase a player’s efficiency in gathering resources or building structures.

Strategically, players must decide what to build based on their current resources and the state of the game. Building the right structures and tools at the right time can give a player a significant advantage.

3. Action Phase:

During the Action Phase, players can use their structures and tools to perform various actions, such as:

Resource Gathering: Use tools to gather additional resources.
Construction: Use resources and tools to build more advanced structures.
Trading: Trade resources with other players or the bank.
Attack: Use certain structures or tools to attack other players and steal their resources.

Strategically, the Action Phase offers a variety of choices. Players must consider their current position, resources, and potential threats from other players. The choices made during this phase can significantly impact the player’s standing and the overall direction of the game.

In conclusion, a player’s turn in ‘Woodcraft’ involves a blend of chance and strategic decision-making. The successful player will be the one who can best manage their resources, optimize their building strategy, and make the most out of their available actions.

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

The game of ‘Woodcraft’ ends when either of the two conditions are met:

Condition 1: All players have finished constructing their forests. This is indicated by each player having placed all their tree tiles on the game board. There are no more tree tiles left to place.
Condition 2: The deck of season cards has been depleted. This indicates that the game has progressed through all four seasons of the year.

Once the game ends, players must perform certain actions before final scoring:

Counting Tree Points: Players count the number of tree points they have. Each tree tile placed on the game board is worth a certain number of points, depending on its size and species.
Season Points: Players add up the points they have earned from season cards. Each season card has a different point value, and these values are added to the player’s total score.
Animal Bonus: If a player has managed to attract animals to their forest by meeting certain conditions, they earn additional points. The number of points depends on the type and number of animals attracted.

Victory Conditions:

The player with the highest total score, after adding their tree points, season points, and animal bonus points, is declared the winner of the game. In case of a tie, the player with the most number of tree tiles on the board wins. If there is still a tie, the player who drew the highest value season card during the game wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Woodcraft’, scoring plays a crucial role in determining the winner. The scoring system is both elaborate and unique, with numerous ways for players to earn points.

Points Awarded

Players can score points in ‘Woodcraft’ in the following ways:

Building Structures: Players earn points for each structure they build. The points vary depending on the type of structure. For instance, a cabin might yield 2 points, whereas a treehouse might yield 5 points.
Collecting Resources: For every set of 4 different resources a player collects (wood, stone, water, and food), they receive 1 point.
Completing Missions: Special mission cards provide players with unique tasks to complete for points. These tasks could range from building specific structures to collecting certain resources.
Endgame Bonus: At the end of the game, players receive bonus points for any unused resources, with 1 point awarded for every 3 resources.

Tie-breaking Rules

In the event of a tie in ‘Woodcraft’, there are specific tie-breaking rules to determine the winner:

Unused Resources: The player with the most unused resources wins the tie. This encourages players to efficiently manage their resources.
Completed Missions: If there is still a tie, the player who has completed the most missions wins. This rule rewards players who successfully complete more tasks.
Sudden Death: In the rare event that there is still a tie after considering unused resources and completed missions, the game enters into a sudden death round. In this round, players compete in a quick-fire resource gathering challenge, with the winner of the challenge being declared the overall winner of the game.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Woodcraft’ is a board game that places a strong emphasis on strategic planning and resource management. While the game’s rules are generally straightforward, there are a few rare or special rules, exceptions, and rule clarifications that players should be aware of.

1. Special rules:

Wildcards: Wildcards can be substituted for any resource in the game. However, once a Wildcard has been used as a specific resource, it cannot be changed to another resource type in a later turn.
Resource Accumulation: Players can accumulate resources over several turns, but if a player’s resource storage exceeds their storage capacity at any point, they must immediately discard the excess resources to the resource bank.

2. Exceptions:

First Round Advantage: To balance the game, the player who goes first does not collect resources on their first turn. However, they do perform all other actions as normal.
Special Structures: Some structures, such as the Mill or Sawmill, have special rules. For example, the Mill allows players to gain an extra grain resource during their Collection phase, while the Sawmill allows players to convert one wood resource into two planks.

3. Rule clarifications:

Trading: Players may trade resources with each other during their turn, but the player whose turn it is must always be involved in the trade. Trades do not have to be equal and can be negotiated freely between players.
End of Game: The game ends when a player has built all of their structures or when the resource bank is depleted. If the game ends due to the resource bank depleting, the player with the most built structures wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most resources remaining in their storage wins.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

1. Resource Management: Always keep an eye on your resources. Overstocking can lead to waste as storage is limited, while under-stocking can halt your production and building processes.

2. Trade Wisely: Remember, not all trades are equal. Try to trade surplus resources for those you lack. Also, consider future needs while trading.

3. Plan Ahead: Try to plan your moves several turns ahead. This will give you a strategic advantage and will allow you to respond to unexpected challenges more effectively.

Beginner Tips:

1. Understand the Rules: Before starting, make sure you understand the game rules, the value of different resources, and how to build structures. This will help you make more informed decisions during the game.

2. Start Small: Start by building smaller structures. They are cheaper and quicker to build, and they provide immediate benefits.

3. Explore: Don’t stick to one strategy or area of the board. Explore different strategies and parts of the board to find resources and opportunities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Neglecting Resources: Don’t focus on one resource at the expense of others. You need a balance of resources to build and progress in the game.

2. Ignoring Opportunities: Don’t ignore opportunities to trade or acquire resources. Even if you think you don’t need a specific resource right now, it could be useful later.

3. Overbuilding: Avoid building too many structures too quickly. This can deplete your resources and leave you vulnerable.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Communication: Communicate with other players. This can help you understand their strategies and plan your own moves accordingly.
Adaptability: Be adaptable. If your current strategy isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change it.
Balance: Maintain a balance between resource gathering, building, and trading. This will ensure steady progress in the game.