Dragon’s Breath (2017) Board Game

Dragon’s Breath is a family-friendly board game designed by Günter Burkhardt and Lena Burkhardt, published by HABA in in 2017. The game has won several awards, including the prestigious Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year) in 2018. It is aimed at children aged 5 and above, but can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

Game Components of Dragon’s Breath

Game board with removable corners and holes

Game box segmented into nine compartments

Nine plastic rings

Large bag of color-varied plastic gems

Ice floe tile

Daddy Dragon figurine

Sparkling stone tiles in different colors

Four dragon child standees

How To Setup Dragon’s Breath

To set up the game, start by placing the segmented game box as the base. Put the game board on top, ensuring the corners align with the compartments. Each player receives a dragon child standee and places it in one of the corner compartments. The ice floe tile is placed in the center of the board, and 8 or 9 plastic rings are stacked on top, depending on the number of players. Fill the rings with the plastic gems, and if some don’t fit, place them in the central holes of the board. Give the Daddy Dragon figurine to the first player, and set the sparkling stone tiles nearby.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Resource Collection: Players collect gems based on the colors of their selected sparkling stone tiles.

Physical Dexterity: Players must carefully remove rings to avoid spilling gems into the wrong areas.

Strategic Planning: Deciding which stones to collect and when to remove rings.

Game Objective

The goal is to collect the most gems by selecting the correct sparkling stone tiles and carefully removing the rings.

The game ends when all rings are removed, and the player with the most collected gems wins.

Player Experience

Playing Dragon’s Breath is a fun and interactive experience, particularly suited for young players. The game involves strategic thinking, as players need to anticipate which gems will fall out when a ring is removed. The game also includes variations for younger players and secretive players, adding different layers of complexity and excitement.

Pros

Easy to learn and set up

Encourages strategic thinking and physical dexterity

Multiple game variations for different ages and play styles

Portable and compact design

Highly interactive and engaging for young players

Cons

Limited complexity for older players

Some players might find the game too simple or repetitive

Personal Thoughts on Dragon’s Breath

Dragon’s Breath is an excellent game for families and young children, promoting both physical and mental engagement. It is ideal for children aged five and up, teaching them basic strategic thinking and fine motor skills. For older players, it might not offer enough complexity, but it remains a delightful and quick game to play in a casual setting. Its portable design and simple rules make it a great addition to any family game collection.

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