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Montana (2012) Board Game

ByMichail

Montana is a board game designed by Heiko Günther and released in in 2012. It is set in the American West and combines elements of bluffing, territory building, and set collection. Players take on the roles of cattle ranchers vying for control of land and resources in Montana.

Game Components of Montana

  • Player boards** for each player to manage workers, commodities, and cattle.
  • Workers** with different types matching various commodities.
  • Commodities** such as grain, pumpkins, stone, and copper.
  • Cattle** and **canteens** for additional resources and turns.
  • Landscape tiles** to create a modular board.
  • Contractor tokens** for bidding.
  • Spinner** for randomly dealing out workers.
  • Bank and market tokens** for resource management.

    How To Setup Montana

    Setting up Montana involves several steps. First, each player receives a player board, four random workers, one commodity of each type, a cow, and some silver coins. The modular board is created by piecing together landscape tiles, each depicting various types of terrain and resources. Players place their initial workers and commodities on their boards. The game also requires setting up the bank, market, and other resource areas according to the rulebook, which is relatively straightforward and about six pages long.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Worker Placement: Players send their workers to different areas to gather resources such as grain, pumpkins, stone, and copper.
  • Auction Mechanics: Players participate in auctions to upgrade goods or gain bonuses.
  • Tile Placement: Players build settlements on the modular board by spending required resources.
  • Game Objective: The goal is to construct all of your settlements while managing resources and workers efficiently. The game ends when one player has constructed all their settlements, with the winner being the player with the most cattle and canteens.

    Player Experience

    Playing Montana is a quick and engaging experience. The game is designed for 2-4 players and typically lasts about 45 minutes. Players must balance gathering resources, managing workers, and building settlements strategically. The game rewards quick turns and strategic planning, with the auction mechanic adding a layer of excitement and unpredictability. However, setup time can be lengthy due to the numerous components and pieces involved.

    Pros

  • Straightforward Rules: Easy to learn and teach, with a short rulebook.
  • Engaging Mechanics: Combines worker placement, auctions, and tile placement for a dynamic experience.
  • Quick Gameplay: Completes in under an hour, making it a great fit for those with limited time.
  • Strategic Depth: Requires balanced resource management and planning.
  • Interactive Elements: Auctions and settlement placement encourage player interaction.

    Cons

  • Lengthy Setup: Sorting and setting up the pieces can take a significant amount of time.
  • Analysis Paralysis: Players may experience decision fatigue due to the many options available.
  • Resource Hoarding Prevention: While innovative, the mechanic that forces players to give up resources if the bank runs out can be frustrating.
  • Random Map: The random map generation can lead to some areas being more powerful than others.

    Personal Thoughts on Montana

    Montana is an excellent choice for those who enjoy worker placement games but are looking for a quicker, more accessible experience. It satisfies the need for strategic gameplay without the lengthy commitment of heavier games. While it may lack deep, complex strategies, it is a fun and engaging game that is perfect for players who want a challenge without the overwhelmed feeling. It’s particularly suited for players who enjoy euro-style games and are looking for a quick, yet satisfying, gaming session.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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