Hungry Troll and the Gobbos (1989) Board Game

Hungry Troll and the Gobbos is a humorous and fantasy-themed card game released in 1989 by Games Workshop Ltd. The game is designed for 2-4 players and has a runtime of around 20 minutes. It is suitable for players aged 7 and above, making it a fun and engaging game for families and friends to enjoy.

Game Components of Hungry Troll and the Gobbos

Game board featuring a track with overlapping figure-eights

Gobbo player tokens

Troll Bits (Head, Body, Legs) represented by tiles

Junk Tiles to disrupt opponents

“Oi Dat’s My…” cards for stealing Troll Bits

Troll token that moves around the board

Dice for movement and escaping the Troll Jail

How To Setup Hungry Troll and the Gobbos

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a Gobbo token and places it in the scrap yard at the start of the track. The pile of Troll Bits and Junk Tiles is placed in the central ring of the track. The Troll token is positioned on the board according to the game’s starting rules. Each player begins with no Troll Bits.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Movement: Players roll dice to move their Gobbos around the track.

Troll Bit Collection: Players collect Troll Bits (Head, Body, Legs) to build complete Trolls.

Troll Interruption: The Troll token moves around the board, capturing Gobbos and taking their unfinished Troll Bits if it lands on a Gobbo’s space.

Junk Tiles: Players can use Junk Tiles to replace valid Troll Bits on opponents’ Trolls, rendering them incomplete.

Stealing: “Oi Dat’s My…” cards allow players to steal Troll Bits from other players.

Goal: The first player to build two complete Trolls wins the game.

Player Experience

Playing **Hungry Troll and the Gobbos** is a fun and chaotic experience, especially for families or younger players. The game involves a simple yet engaging mechanic of rolling dice and moving around a track, mixed with strategic elements like disrupting opponents with Junk Tiles and stealing their progress. The ever-present threat of the Troll adds an element of unpredictability, keeping players on their toes.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for younger players due to its simple and colorful design.

Easy to Learn: The rules are straightforward, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

Interactive: Players can steal from each other and use Junk Tiles to add a layer of strategy.

Portable: The game components are not excessively large, making it easy to transport.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: The game relies heavily on dice rolls, which can lead to inconsistent player experiences.

Limited Depth: The game mechanics are simple and may not appeal to players seeking more complex strategies.

Rare: The game is vintage and can be difficult to find, making it a challenge for new players to acquire.

Personal Thoughts on Hungry Troll and the Gobbos

**Hungry Troll and the Gobbos** is an excellent choice for families with younger children or for those looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-learn game. Its simplicity and interactive elements make it a great introduction to board gaming. However, due to its rarity and limited complexity, it may not be the best fit for experienced gamers seeking deeper strategic challenges.

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