Coffee Traders (2021) Board Game

Coffee Traders is a board game released in 2021 by Capstone Games. Designed by Rolf Sagel and André Spil, this game is set in the world of coffee trading, where players take on the role of coffee plantation owners trying to build their businesses and dominate the market. With a mix of economic strategy, farming, and territory building, Coffee Traders offers a unique gaming experience for 2 to 5 players.

Game Components of Coffee Traders

Main board featuring 5 large coffee-producing cooperatives (Guatemala, Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Indonesia) and a smaller area for Sumatra

Arabica Track for marking progress

Coffee bar track for area majority scoring

Player boards serving as player aids

Action cubes

Workers, traders, and other game pieces (donkeys, Civet cats, trucks)

Stock counters

Scoring markers

Contracts and milestones

Buildings (fair trade posts, production houses, hospitals, warehouses)

How To Setup Coffee Traders

To set up Coffee Traders, place the main board in the center of the table. Each player receives a player board, which outlines the six phases of each round. Players start with a set of action cubes, workers, and traders. The bonus area on the player board allows players to take additional bonuses each round. The game is organized into three rounds, each with the same six phases.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Area Control: Players compete for dominance in coffee cooperatives.

Worker Placement: Players place workers on plantations and other locations.

Resource Management: Managing coffee resources, coins, and other assets.

Follow/Mimic Actions: “Piggyback” mechanism allows players to follow other players’ actions.

Contract Fulfillment: Players fulfill contracts to gain bonuses.

Game Objective

The objective is to become the world’s greatest coffee trader by outperforming rivals. Players achieve this by:

Building and staffing plantations

Collecting and trading coffee

Fulfilling contracts

Dominating coffee cooperatives

Scoring points through various tracks and buildings

Player Experience

Coffee Traders offers a complex and engaging experience, with a significant rules overhead. The game is divided into six phases per round, each with distinct actions. Phases 3 (Trade & Build) and 4 (Harvest) are particularly exciting, as they involve strategic worker placement and resource collection. The game requires meticulous planning and strategic decision-making, especially in managing resources and timing actions.

Pros

Engaging Phases: Trade & Build and Harvest phases offer high levels of strategy and excitement.

Multiple Paths to Victory: Players can pursue various strategies to score points.

Replayability: The game encourages replay to explore different strategies.

Thematic Integration: The game theme of fair trade coffee is well-integrated into the mechanics.

Cons

Complex Rules: Significant rules overhead can be overwhelming.

Lack of Player Aids: Insufficient player aids make tracking game state challenging.

Endgame Scoring Complexity: Endgame scoring can be cumbersome and confusing.

Production Issues: Some elements, like tracking coffee production, are not smoothly implemented.

Personal Thoughts on Coffee Traders

Coffee Traders is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex economic and area control games. It offers a rich and strategic gameplay experience, but it may not be the best fit for new players due to its complexity. The game’s theme of supporting local coffee farmers adds a unique and engaging layer, but the execution could be improved with better player aids and streamlined mechanics. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your strategic thinking and offers deep replay value, Coffee Traders is worth considering.

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