# Cacao

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 7.1
- **BGG Rank**: #788
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 1.82 / 5
- **Designers**: Phil Walker-Harding
- **Artists**: Claus Stephan
- **Publishers**: ABACUSSPIELE, 999 Games, Albi, Cranio Creations, cutia.ro, Devir, Fantasmagoria, Filosofia Éditions, G3, Gémklub, GoKids 玩樂小子, Korea Boardgames, Lautapelit.fi, uplay.it edizioni, White Goblin Games, Z-Man Games
- **Categories**: Economic, Farming, Territory Building
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, End Game Bonuses, Hand Management, Income, Layering, Map Addition, Open Drafting, Tile Placement

## Verdict
Perfect for those who enjoy light economic games with map expansion and influence battles. The game loop is fluid and satisfying.Organic and fun map expansionSimple and intuitive hand managementEngaging theme and nice componentsGood balance between profit and influenceInteraction can be low in some gamesDeck draw luck can influence outcomesRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever thought about leading your own tribe in pursuit of prosperity through the 'fruit of the gods'? In Cacao, you take on that role, managing your workers to cultivate and trade cacao in a vibrant tropical setting. The game blends map expansion strategy with resource management in a very dynamic way.

The dynamics are simple yet clever: you have a deck of worker tiles, each with a different number of people on its sides. On your turn, you place one of these workers adjacent to existing jungle tiles. If you manage to surround an empty space with two workers, you expand the map by adding a new jungle tile. This is where the strategy shines, as the positioning determines your reward.

Your workers can be harvesting cacao in fields, selling the production at markets to earn gold, seeking water at wells, or even 'showing off' at temples. Each action yields a different result: more cacao, more money, or influence. Managing your hand of workers is crucial, as you must balance the need for immediate resources with long-term vision. Temples, for instance, don't provide instant profit, but those with the most influence there by the end of the game earn valuable bonuses.

The game ends once all players have exhausted their worker decks. Final scoring takes into account the amount of gold accumulated and the status of your water supply (which can grant points or penalties). In the end, the player who best knows when to plant, sell, and influence the temples emerges as the wealthiest and most victorious chief. It's a tile-placement game with an economic twist that keeps everyone engaged until the very last turn.

## FAQ
### Is the game complex? Can a beginner learn it?
Yes, it's very accessible! The weight is low (around 1.8 on BGG), so the rules are easy to explain and the tile-placement mechanic is intuitive.

### How long does a game last?
The game is fast, lasting about 45 minutes, making it great for those who want to play multiple rounds or have limited time.

### Does it work well with 2 players or is 4 better?
It works well from 2 to 4 players, but with more people, the fight for map spaces and temple influence becomes more intense.

### What is the main goal to win?
The goal is to accumulate the most gold. You achieve this by selling cacao at markets and earning bonuses from temples at the end of the game.

### Is there a digital version to play online?
Yes! You can find Cacao on Board Game Arena, Yucata, and also via VASSAL.

## Price Comparison
### Best Offers in Brazil
- **JOGASAMPA**: R$ 249,50 (https://www.jogasampa.com.br/cacao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/cacao

### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 43.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4915488&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/14570/cacao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com