El Gaucho

Argentum Verlag, Egmont Polska, The Game Master BV · Board game · 2014
2–4 · best 4 60 min Weight 2.2/5
7.5 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Buy
7.5 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Perfect for those who enjoy Eurogames with direct interaction and a charming regional theme.

Highlights
  • Fun and competitive interaction
  • Smart set collection mechanic
  • Immersive and original theme
  • Thematically strong components
Keep in mind
  • Dice luck can be frustrating
  • Interactions can be aggressive
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get your lasso ready and call your crew, because in El Gaucho, you step into the boots of a powerful cattle baron striving to dominate the vast Pampa plains! The goal is straightforward, yet the execution requires some cunning: you need to gather the most imposing and valuable herd to rake in as many pesos as possible. However, it's not just about grabbing any cow; the secret lies in the organization. You must assemble sets of cattle of the same breed, arranging them in either ascending or descending order of value. If you add an animal that breaks the sequence, that set is closed, and you start a new one from scratch.

The game dynamics revolve around worker placement. You have seven gauchos at your disposal, but to send them out on missions, you'll need dice. At the start of each round, dice are rolled in the 'Dice Rodeo,' and during your turn, you pick two of them to activate your workers. The primary action is heading to the Pampa to capture new cattle tiles, but the game gets spicy with player interactions. You can use mean tricks to snatch the most valuable cattle right from under your opponent's nose or use your lasso to abduct animals they've already collected. Additionally, there are sorting actions to optimize your herd's order and ensure the sale is as profitable as possible.

Sales occur at the end of each round for every completed set. The game ends when the cattle tile pile runs out, followed by one final round. The player who ends up with the most money wins the dispute. It's a game that blends the luck of the dice with the strategy of knowing exactly when to attack your neighbor or organize your own ranch. If you enjoy Euro-style games with a pinch of interactivity and a strong regional theme, El Gaucho is the perfect choice.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Animals: Cattle / Cows Country: Argentina Country: Uruguay Mechanism: Dice Drafting
Publisher Argentum Verlag, Egmont Polska, The Game Master BV
Designer Arve D. Fühler
Artist Dennis Lohausen

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
Is the game very complex?
Not really, it has a medium weight (2.2). The rules are easy to learn, but the strategy of organizing sets and timing your attacks adds depth.
How long does a game take?
It usually lasts around 60 minutes, making it quite dynamic.
Does it work well with 2 players?
Yes, it supports 2 to 4 players, maintaining competitiveness even in a two-player game.
Is the game too dependent on luck?
There is dice rolling, but the drafting mechanic (choosing from available dice) mitigates the luck, allowing you to adapt your strategy to the results.
Who would you recommend this game to?
People who enjoy farming games, set collection, and don't mind 'stealing' from their friends to win.

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