Silk (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Silk is a board game released in 2018 by Devir. Designed by Luis Ranedo and featuring artwork by Roc Espinet, the game is set in a world of silk production, where players take on the roles of farmers cultivating their silkworms and harvesting silk. With a mix of area majority/influence, dice rolling, take that, and worker placement mechanics, Silk offers a unique gaming experience for 2 to 4 players aged 10 and up.

Game Components of Silk

Game board composed of random farmland tiles

Silkworms, shepherds, and mastiffs (meeples)

Dice for action selection

Hatchery tokens

Fences and farms

Ookami monster token

Bonus tiles

Silk points tokens

How To Setup Silk

To set up the game, players create a grid using a random mix of farmland tiles, the size of which varies based on the number of players. Each player places two silkworms on the lowest value fields, followed by a single hatchery on the intersections between tiles, their farmer, and their mastiff. The Ookami den must also be included among the tiles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Action selection, area control, worker placement, dice rolling, and “take that!” elements.

Objective: Players aim to accumulate the most silk points by feeding their silkworms on the best available grass.

Turn Structure: Each turn involves spawning a new silkworm, rolling two dice to determine available actions, and performing two actions. Actions include breeding more silkworms, moving the shepherd or mastiff, building fences or farms, moving the Ookami monster, and feeding silkworms.

Dice Manipulation: Players can spend silk points to adjust the outcome of their dice rolls.

Bonus Tiles: First-come, first-served bonus tiles offer significant point rewards.

Player Experience

**Silk** offers a unique blend of strategy and luck. The game’s reliance on dice rolls for action selection introduces a significant element of randomness, making long-term planning challenging. However, players can mitigate this by spending silk points to adjust their dice. The game features a vivid and artistically beautiful theme, with an unusual setting involving giant silkworms and a hostile environment.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game’s theme of giant silkworms is intriguing and visually appealing.

Quick Setup and Playtime: The game is relatively quick to set up and play, lasting under an hour.

Strategic Depth: Despite the randomness, there is room for strategic maneuvering and resource management.

Artistic Presentation: The game’s art style and meeples are highly praised.

Cons

Randomness: The dice-based action selection can be frustrating and may not appeal to players who prefer more control.

Critical Starting Positions: The initial placement of silkworms and other tokens can significantly impact the game, potentially hindering new players.

Complex Movement Rules: The rules for movement and bumping can be difficult to remember and may require repeated reference to the manual.

Personal Thoughts on Silk

**Silk** is for players who enjoy a mix of strategy and luck, particularly those interested in exploring area control and worker placement mechanics. It is ideal for amateur and diehard gamers alike, though it may not be the best fit for players seeking a highly predictable or long-term strategic game. The game’s unique theme and beautiful artwork make it an interesting addition to any board game collection, but its randomness and complex rules might deter some players.

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