GrandBois (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

GrandBois is a territory-building board game designed by Frédéric Guérard and published by The Flying Games in in 2019. The game offers players the opportunity to strategically build and expand their territories in a competitive setting. With a playtime of around 30 minutes and designed for 2-4 players aged 8 and up, GrandBois provides a fun and engaging experience for both casual and experienced gamers.

Game Components of GrandBois

Forest tiles, each depicting four forest squares with 1-4 clan members of one of five colors, just forest, or a bear

Clan tokens

Lookout towers

Golden Chestnuts (for scoring)

How To Setup GrandBois

To set up the game, players secretly draw a clan, which remains hidden throughout the game. Each player then selects a forest tile and adds it to the growing forest, ensuring that at least one-quarter of the new tile covers an existing tile. The tiles must be placed such that the covering squares have more clan members or a bear, as the bear supersedes all clan members.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics: Area Majority / Influence, Card Drafting, Tile Placement

Objective: Players aim to control the Forest of GrandBois by having the most presence and strategically placing their lookout tower to maximize points. The tower’s placement reveals clues about the player’s clan, so timing is crucial.

Gameplay: Players take turns placing tiles and optionally placing their tower on an empty square of a newly placed tile. Points are scored based on the number of clan members on adjacent tiles.

Player Experience

GrandBois offers a engaging blend of strategy and secrecy. Players need to balance the need to expand their territory with the risk of revealing their clan’s identity. The game’s short duration and simple rules make it accessible to families and casual gamers, while the strategic depth keeps it interesting for more experienced players.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and quick setup make it a great introduction to territory building games.

Strategic Depth: The need to balance territory expansion with the risk of revealing one’s clan adds a layer of complexity.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Quick Games: Games last about 30 minutes, making it a great filler game.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, which might limit its appeal for larger groups.

Replayability: Some players might find the game repetitive after several plays.

Personal Thoughts on GrandBois

GrandBois is ideal for those looking for a light to medium-weight strategy game that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players. It’s perfect for families or casual game nights where you want something engaging but not overly complex. However, experienced gamers seeking a more intense or longer game might find it a bit simplistic. Nonetheless, its unique blend of area control and hidden information makes it a delightful addition to any game collection.

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