Harvest Dice (2017) Board Game

Harvest Dice is a board game released in 2017 by designer Danny Devine and published by Board&Dice. The game is centered around dice rolling, farming, and strategic decision-making. It is designed for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up.

Game Components of Harvest Dice

Dice (various colors representing Cabbage, Carrot, and Tomato)

Player sheets with garden, market, and pig areas

Pencils or pens for drawing

How To Setup Harvest Dice

To set up Harvest Dice, players start by determining the number of dice to roll, which is the number of players plus one. For example, in a four-player game, five dice are rolled. Each player receives a player sheet, and the game is ready to begin once the first dice roll is made.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Drafting: Players take turns selecting dice from the rolled set.

Roll-and-Write: Players draw shapes (squares, triangles, circles) corresponding to the dice colors (Cabbage, Carrot, Tomato) on their player sheets.

Resource Management: Managing dice placements in the garden, market, or feeding the pig.

Game Objective

Fill Garden: Place vegetables in the garden area, ensuring they are grouped by type.

Feed the Pig: Use dice to feed the pig, unlocking abilities and scoring points.

Market Management: The remaining die after drafting is marked in the market area, affecting scoring.

Scoring: Points are awarded for filled garden rows, pig powers, and market multipliers.

Player Experience

Playing Harvest Dice involves strategic planning and a bit of luck. Players must balance placing vegetables in their garden with feeding the pig to gain useful abilities. The game requires attention to what other players are drafting and how it affects the market, adding a layer of social interaction and strategy. The game ends when any player fills their garden, completes all pig spaces, or fills all market spaces for one type of vegetable.

Pros

Portable and Easy to Play: Great for families on the go due to its compact size and simple rules.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines dice drafting and resource management in a fun and puzzly way.

Social Interaction: Players need to pay attention to each other’s moves, adding a competitive element.

Art and Design: Cute and visually appealing, making the game enjoyable to play.

Cons

No Solo Mode: The game does not have a solo play option.

Limited Choices in Larger Games: In games with four players, the last player may have limited options for certain vegetables.

Potential for Frustration: Players can block each other’s progress by taking certain dice, leading to moments of frustration.

Personal Thoughts on Harvest Dice

Harvest Dice is perfect for families, casual gamers, and those who enjoy light, strategic games. It’s a great introduction to roll-and-write games and offers a fun, interactive experience. While it lacks a solo mode, it excels in multiplayer settings, especially with three or four players. The game’s portable nature and easy setup make it an excellent addition to any board game collection. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy with a bit of luck and social interaction, Harvest Dice is definitely worth checking out.

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