Botanists is an abstract strategy board game released in 2019, designed by Pedro Codeço and illustrated by Agie Games. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended player count of 2 to
Players take on the role of botanists competing to create the most valuable collection of plants.Game Components of Botanists
Game Board: Represents various locations for flower collection.Player Boards: Each player has a board for managing their garden and specimens.Specimen Cards: These cards represent different flowers and plants with varying point values.Expedition Funds: Coins or currency used for movements and actions.Garden Features: Items like poisonous paths, orangery, conservatory, and extra Wardian cases.Botanical Press: For pressing specimens that cannot be kept live.Reputation Tokens: Awarded for collecting sets of live specimens.
How To Setup Botanists
To set up the game, each player starts with a player board, a set of specimen cards, and 10 coins in their Expedition funds. The game board is laid out with various locations labeled, and each player sets up their garden area. The setup involves placing the specimen cards, Expedition funds, and other components in their designated areas.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Movement: Players use Expedition funds to move their pawns around the board to different locations.Specimen Collection: Players acquire specimen cards by visiting the corresponding locations on the board.Live Specimens: Each player can only hold a limited number of live specimens and must press others to store them.Pressing Specimens: Pressed specimens are stored in the Botanical press and score only one point each at the end of the game.Reputation System: Players gain reputation tokens for collecting sets of three live specimens.Garden Management: Players can purchase garden features to aid in their next expedition or mitigate negative effects.Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by collecting valuable specimens and managing the garden efficiently.
Player Experience
Playing **Botanists** involves a balance of exploration, resource management, and strategic planning. Players must navigate the board to collect specimens, manage their live and pressed specimens, and utilize their Expedition funds wisely. The game also includes social elements, such as the ability to plant poisonous paths in opponents’ gardens, adding a layer of interaction and strategy.
Pros
Thematic Depth: The game is highly thematic, appealing to those interested in botany and gardening.Strategic Complexity: It offers a good balance of exploration, resource management, and strategic decision-making.Visual Appeal: The game’s components and board are visually appealing.
Cons
Setup Time: The setup can be somewhat lengthy due to the number of components.Limited Hand Management: Players are restricted by the number of live specimens they can hold.
Personal Thoughts on Botanists
**Botanists** is a game that will appeal to those who enjoy thematic games with a mix of exploration and resource management. It is particularly suited for players interested in botany or gardening, as it offers a unique and engaging experience within that theme. While it may not be the best fit for everyone due to its specific mechanics and setup requirements, it is a solid choice for those looking for a game with depth and visual appeal.
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