Elfenroads (2015) Board Game

Elfenroads, designed by Alan R. Moon and published by 999 Games in 2015, is a fantasy board game that combines elements of travel and adventure. Players must navigate through a mythical land, building routes and managing their hand of cards to reach their destinations and earn points.

Game Components of Elfenroads

Game Boards: Multiple boards for each game variant

Elf Boots: Player tokens representing characters

Town/Village Pieces: Color-coded pieces for each player

Transportation Counters: Various counters for different terrains (e.g., unicorn, raft)

Travel Cards: Used for movement and overcoming obstacles

Obstacles: Including the new sea monster for rivers and lakes

Magic Spells: Such as Double transport and Exchange transport

Gold Pieces: For collecting during movement in Elfengold

Hidden Transportation Counters: Face-up and face-down counters for planning routes

How To Setup Elfenroads

To set up Elfenroads, each player selects a color and receives one Elf Boot and 20 Town Pieces (or 32 Village Pieces in the case of Elfengold). The Elf Boot is placed in the capital, and the Town/Village Pieces are distributed across other towns. The game is divided into rounds, each consisting of several stages. For a detailed setup, players start by dealing Travel Cards and drawing Transportation Counters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rounds and Stages: The game lasts three rounds (or four in some variants), each round divided into six stages.

Planning Routes: Players place Transportation Counters on roads, adhering to terrain restrictions.

Moving Elf Boots: Players move their Elf Boots along roads or rivers, collecting Town Pieces using Travel Cards.

Overcoming Obstacles: Players can use extra cards or magic spells to navigate past obstacles.

Collecting Gold: In Elfengold, players collect double gold from visited towns.

Game Objective: The player who collects the most Town Pieces (or points from Village Pieces and Bonus Counters in Elfengold) wins.

Player Experience

Playing Elfenroads is an engaging and strategic experience. The game requires careful planning of travel routes and effective use of Travel Cards to navigate the board efficiently. The addition of obstacles and magic spells adds a layer of complexity and excitement, making each round challenging and fun. The game’s modular design, with multiple variants, ensures that no two games are exactly the same.

Pros

Variety: Includes three different games in one package.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Replayability: Multiple variants and random elements ensure high replay value.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide range of ages and skill levels.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous rules and variants.

Setup Time: Setting up the game can take some time, especially for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Elfenroads

Elfenroads is ideal for players who enjoy strategic travel games with a mix of luck and planning. It is suitable for families and casual gamers who are looking for a game that offers depth without being too overly complex. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a quick, simple game, as it requires some time to learn and set up. For fans of Alan R. Moon’s other works, such as Ticket to Ride, Elfenroads will likely be a delightful addition to their game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.