Troll Hunt (2014) Board Game

Troll Hunt is a fantasy board game released in 2014, designed by Jouni Hakalahti and Katri Vainiomäki. The game is set in a medieval world where players take on the role of brave adventurers on a quest to hunt down and defeat trolls terrorizing the kingdom.

Game Components of Troll Hunt

Modular game board consisting of 18 identically shaped terrain tiles forming a large hexagon

Various landscape tiles (meadows, lakes, mountains, troll keeps)

Lettered tiles (A-R) indicating troll spawn areas

Troll cards and a deck

Mirrors and mirror tiles

Lanterns and troll tokens

Dice (d6)

How To Setup Troll Hunt

To set up Troll Hunt, players first assemble the modular board by connecting the terrain tiles to form a large hexagon. The board includes different landscapes and lettered tiles where trolls will appear. Each player places their lanterns on the board. The game starts with seeding the board with 2 trolls per player, using troll cards and a d6 to determine the placement and orientation of each troll. Trolls must be placed in a way that it is theoretically possible to shine light into their eyes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Tile Placement: Players place and move reflecting mirrors on the board.

Mirror Movement: Players can move, rotate, or flip mirrors to reflect light beams.

Light Reflection: Light beams from lanterns reflect off mirrors to hit trolls.

Troll Placement: Trolls are placed and repositioned based on card draws and dice rolls.

Game Objective

Guide rays of light from lanterns into the trolls’ eyes using mirrors.

The player who petrifies (turns to stone) the most trolls wins.

The game ends when a player collects their sixth troll in a 3-player game or ninth troll in a 2-player game.

Player Experience

Troll Hunt offers a fun and challenging experience, teaching players about angle reflection and advance planning. The game involves strategic placement of mirrors to outwit the trolls, while the random placement of trolls adds an element of luck. Players must protect their links (light paths) from being disrupted by other players’ mirrors or newly placed trolls.

Pros

Engaging Strategy: Combines tactical mirror placement with luck elements.

Educational Value: Teaches concepts of light reflection and planning.

Replayability: Modular board and random troll placement ensure different games each time.

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

Cons

Luck Factor: Troll placement can be heavily influenced by card draws and dice rolls.

Complexity: New players may find the rules and mirror movements confusing initially.

Limited Player Count: Designed for only 2-3 players.

Personal Thoughts on Troll Hunt

Troll Hunt is an excellent choice for families or small groups looking for a game that combines strategy and luck. It’s particularly great for teaching children about spatial reasoning and planning. However, it may not appeal to players who prefer games with more complex themes or larger player counts. Overall, it’s a fun and engaging game that offers a unique blend of tactical play and luck.

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.