Pavlov’s Dogs (2020) Board Game

Pavlov’s Dogs is a board game released in 2020 by 9th Level Games. Designed by Heather O’Neill and illustrated by James Stowe, the game is centered around the famous psychological experiment conducted by Ivan Pavlov with his classical conditioning theory.

Game Components of Pavlov’s Dogs

Test cards: Each player has five of these.

Rule cards: These change the rules for each round.

Bones: Players start with three bones each.

Dogtor screen: Used to hide the Rule card.

Rule decks: Multiple decks with varying rules.

How To Setup Pavlov’s Dogs

To set up the game, each player receives three bones and a set of five Test cards. One player is designated as the “Dogtor” for the first round. The Dogtor reveals a Rule card and hides it behind the Dogtor screen. The remaining players arrange their Test cards in a way that they can draw from them easily.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative gameplay: Players work together as dogs.

Memory mechanism: Players must remember the rules introduced each round.

Card addition: Players reveal cards, add their values, and announce the total.

Rule enforcement: The Dogtor introduces new rules each round, which players must follow.

Objective: The team aims to complete rounds without any player running out of bones.

Scoring: The team’s score is based on the number of bones remaining at the end of the game.

Team vs. Team variant: Two teams compete, each with their own Rule cards, and the team with the most bones after four rounds wins.

Player Experience

Playing **Pavlov’s Dogs** is a unique and engaging experience. Players must balance adding card values with remembering the increasingly complex rules introduced by the Dogtor. The game is full of humorous moments, especially when players forget rules and try to follow them anyway. It becomes challenging as more rules are added, but this also enhances the team’s collaboration and communication.

Pros

Unique gameplay: Combines card addition with memory and rule-following.

High replayability: Different combinations of Rule decks ensure varied gameplay.

Family-friendly: Suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.

Quick and engaging: Games are short but packed with action and laughter.

Good for large groups: Supports up to 8 players.

Cons

Rule complexity: As the game progresses, remembering all the rules can become overwhelming.

Limited direct interaction: Players cannot help each other with remembering rules.

Personal Thoughts on Pavlov’s Dogs

**Pavlov’s Dogs** is ideal for anyone looking for a light, cooperative game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. It’s perfect for families, casual gamers, and groups of friends who enjoy a fun, interactive experience. The game’s unique blend of memory and arithmetic makes it a great choice for those seeking something different from the usual board game fare. If you enjoy cooperative games with a dash of humor and mental challenge, **Pavlov’s Dogs** is definitely worth checking out.

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