Dance of the Fireflies

Backspindle Games Ltd., Ninja Division · Board game · 2017
2–6 · best 4 15–45 min Weight 2.6/5
rating Ludopedia
6.0 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 2.80
rating Ludopedia
6.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Fans of quick card games with floral themes will love this one!

Highlights
  • Bidding meets set collection
  • Engaging area control
  • Fast and approachable play
Keep in mind
  • Limited component count
  • Moderate time limit
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Dance of the Fireflies places you in the role of a royal gardener, vying to create the most stunning gardens around a sundial that marks the passage of time. The game is quick, with 15 to 45 minute sessions, and works well for 2 to 6 players. Each participant receives seven fireflies, one of which is the powerful royal firefly. During each round, you can use your fireflies to bid on flowers on the sundial, plant cards from your hand into your garden, or discard a card to bid again. The flowers have unique abilities that allow combos and bonuses, while orchid or weed cards can be used to strengthen your garden or attack opponents. The Open Drafting mechanic makes you see other players’ choices, while Secret Unit Deployment adds an element of surprise by secretly positioning your royal firefly. The Area Majority / Influence mechanic determines who controls each region of the sundial, awarding extra points. At the end of the game, when the flower deck is exhausted, points are tallied and the gardener with the most flowers and combos wins the title of royal gardener. The blend of bidding, set collection, and area control creates a smooth and strategic gameplay experience, ideal for fans of beautiful-themed card games and friendly competition.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Theme: Flowers Theme: Gardening
Publisher Backspindle Games Ltd., Ninja Division
Designer Oliver Brooks
Artist Amber Grundy, Victoria C. Hackett

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

405owners
74wishlist
5want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can play?
2 to 6 players can play simultaneously.
What is the average game length?
Between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on player count and experience.
Is the game complex?
No, it has a gentle learning curve, suitable for both beginners and experienced players.
What are the main components?
A deck of flower cards so far, firefly tokens, a sundial board, and a compost deck.
Who is the target audience?
Those who enjoy card games, floral themes, and friendly competition.
Are there any expansions?
So far, no official expansions, but the community creates casual variants.

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