Fafnir (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Fafnir is a board game released in 2019 by Oink Games. Designed and illustrated by Jun Sasaki, Fafnir is a game that combines auction and bidding mechanics in a fun and engaging way. The game is suitable for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 9 and above.

Game Components of Fafnir

Main board

Fafnir tile

Player screens

Gems of various colors (including gold)

Point tokens

Gem bag

How To Setup Fafnir

To set up Fafnir, lay out the main board and the Fafnir tile. Choose a player to be the first player and have Fafnir point towards them. Each player receives a player screen and a set of gems: the first player gets 11 gems, while all other players get 10. Place three gems randomly below the main board in columns corresponding to their colors, and two gems along with a point token on the Fafnir tile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players choose gems to discard simultaneously.

Auction-Deduction: Players bid by discarding gems to acquire new ones.

Variable Player Powers: Gems have different values based on their frequency among players.

Game Objective:

The goal is to accumulate 40 points by strategically discarding and acquiring gems.

Each round, players discard gems that do not match the colors on the Fafnir tile to bid for the new gems.

The player who discards the most gems wins the bid and gets the new gems and a point token.

Rounds end when a certain number of gems have been discarded (6 for 2 players, 7 for 3 players, 8 for 4 players).

Gems are scored: the most common color is worth 3 points, the second most common is worth 2 points, gold gems are worth 1 point, and all other gems are worth -1 point.

Player Experience

Fafnir offers a high-tempo, smooth-moving game that requires intense tactical thinking. Players must predict the market value of the gems by observing the gems discarded and held by other players. The game is simple to learn but provides a lot of freedom for strategic play, making it engaging and replayable. The unpredictable nature of gem values keeps players excited and sometimes surprised by the outcomes.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple setup and rules.

High Replayability: Variable gem values ensure each game is different.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful observation and deduction.

Cute and Portable: Typical of Oink Games, it is transport-friendly and visually appealing.

Cons

Sensitive to Component Loss: Losing even one gem can significantly impact the game.

Luck Factor: The random placement of gems can sometimes feel arbitrary.

Personal Thoughts on Fafnir

Fafnir is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a blend of auction and deduction mechanics. It’s perfect for families or casual gamers looking for a quick, engaging game that doesn’t require a lot of setup or complex rules. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer games with minimal luck or those who are extremely sensitive to component loss. Overall, Fafnir’s unique mechanic of turning trash into treasure makes it a quirky and enjoyable addition to any board game collection.

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