Objective of the Game
In Bauernhof-Bande (Farmyard Gang), the goal is to be the first player to guide all your animals safely across the farm and into the barn. Players must strategically avoid obstacles and cleverly use their action cards to achieve this.
Game Components
- Game Board: Depicts a farm with paths leading across it.
- Animal Figures: Each player receives a set of figures representing different animals.
- Action Cards: A deck of cards used to perform moves and special actions.
- Dice: Used to determine movement.
Setup
- Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding animal figures.
- All animal figures are placed on the starting spaces.
- The action cards are shuffled and an equal number of cards is dealt to each player.
- The deck is placed face down next to the board.
Gameplay
The game is played in a clockwise direction. Each player performs the following steps on their turn:
- Draw a Card: The player draws a card from the draw pile, maintaining a constant hand size.
- Roll the Dice: The player rolls the dice to determine how many spaces they can move their animal figure forward.
- Move: The player moves one of their animal figures according to the dice roll on the board. They may modify the rolled number by using certain Action Cards.
- Play an Action Card (optional): The player may play an Action Card to perform an additional action or change strategy, such as a double move, an extra roll, or even setting up a blockade for another player.
Special Rules
- Blockades: If a player moves their piece onto an occupied space, they skip the space and continue their movement.
- Moving Backward: Certain cards allow a player to move an opponent's animal figure backward.
- Safe Spaces: Certain spaces on the board are safe, meaning that once a piece is on them, it cannot be moved backward.
End of the Game
The game ends immediately when a player has all their animal figures safely in the barn. This player wins the game.
Strategic Tips
- Card Management: Balance between using cards for immediate benefits and saving them for strategic moves later in the game.
- Blocking: Use the opportunity to block other players to delay their progress across the farm.
- Protected Movement: Move your pieces onto safe spaces when possible to safeguard them against opponents' cards that could move you back.
With this guide, players of all experience levels should find it easy to play and enjoy Bauernhof-Bande!
