Hair of the Dog is a board game designed by Jules Naujoks and published by Cherry Picked Games in in 2023. The game is set in a world where dogs have taken over and players must navigate through various challenges to become the top dog in the pack.
Game Components of Hair of the Dog
Bar tiles: 12-20 double-sided tiles representing indoor and outdoor areas of the pub, including tables, bar games, and toy and treat areas.Dog cards: 192 cards, with 3 cards per dog, each representing a unique dog with different petting conditions.Player pawns: Tokens for each player to navigate the bar.Drink glasses/beer mugs: Used to track action tokens (sips).Tokens: Action tokens (sips), treat and toy tokens, and shame tokens.Fetch Quest cards: Hidden agenda cards providing additional scoring opportunities.
How To Setup Hair of the Dog
To set up the game, players arrange the bar tiles to create the pub area. Each player places their pawn at the bar and receives a beer mug with 8 sips (action tokens). Dogs, represented by three cards each, are placed around the bar according to the number of players. Each player also receives two Fetch Quest cards and chooses one to keep.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Action System: Players use sips (action tokens) to perform actions such as moving, taking treats or toys, beckoning, or petting dogs.Toasting Mechanic: Players can propose toasts to force other players to use sips, potentially leaving them vulnerable to shame tokens.Server Movement: Players move the server, which can lead to other players being shamed if they are out of sips.Petting Dogs: Each dog has unique conditions that must be met before it can be petted. Players can only pet each dog once and must meet the petting conditions to succeed.Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by petting dogs in various ways (head pat, butt scratch, belly rub) and fulfilling Fetch Quests. Points are also awarded for each dog card not part of a set, while shame tokens deduct points.
Player Experience
Playing Hair of the Dog involves a mix of strategy and social interaction. Players need to balance their actions with the need to maintain their drink levels to avoid shame tokens. The game is more enjoyable with a larger player count, as it introduces more chaos and interaction among players. The unique artwork and variety of dogs add a charming element to the game, making it a fun and light-hearted experience for dog lovers and those who enjoy casual, social games.
Pros
Unique Theme: A dog-friendly pub setting that appeals to dog lovers and those looking for a light-hearted game.Social Interaction: Encourages players to interact and strategize together, adding a fun social element.Adorable Artwork: The game features high-quality, cute dog cards and detailed bar tiles.Balanced Gameplay: Players must balance actions with maintaining their drink levels, adding a layer of strategy.
Cons
Less Engaging with Fewer Players: The game is less enjoyable with only two players and really shines with 4-6 players.Some Mechanics Feel Underdeveloped: The toasting mechanic, in particular, has been criticized for feeling unnecessary and confusing.Potential for Lengthy Turns: With more players, turns can become longer as each player navigates the bar and meets dog conditions.
Personal Thoughts on Hair of the Dog
Hair of the Dog is ideal for those who enjoy light, social games with a unique theme. It is particularly suited for groups of 4-6 players who can appreciate the chaos and interaction that comes with more players. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking a deeply strategic game, it offers a fun and relaxing experience perfect for a casual game night with friends.
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