Groves is that kind of game that embraces you with a cute theme and then challenges you with well-thought-out strategy. If you enjoy the idea of building your own magical kingdom, managing resources, and optimizing your actions with a touch of luck and planning, this game is for you! The combination of worker placement and bag building is super interesting, creating an experience that makes you want to play another round.
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Highlights
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Charming and immersive theme
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Well-integrated mechanics
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Constant strategic decisions
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Satisfying engine building
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Good replayability
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Keep in mind
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Indirect interaction
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Initial learning curve
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Prone to analysis paralysis
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for a magical journey in Groves, where you and up to three friends become the Guardians of the Four Winds, with the noble mission of restoring Idyllon, the once glorious kingdom of Fairy Queen Nivarra, which was devastated by an ancient betrayal. This strategy game elegantly combines worker placement with bag and tile building, promising an immersive experience full of decisions. At the start of each round, you draw three spirits (your workers) from your summoning bag and strategically place them. These spirits can be allocated to your own groves or the Central Tree of Idyllon, which serves as a resource and interaction hub. The big deal is that there are several types of workers, each with their peculiarities. By using a spirit on a land, you activate a basic ability. But if the spirit has an elemental link to that land type, you gain an extra bonus, propelling you even further towards the crown! Keep an eye out, as playing in other Guardians' groves can also be a clever tactic, even if your spirits end up in their summoning bag. To become the new ruler of Idyllon, you need to expand your groves, adding new tiles to gain dominion points and unlock powerful abilities. Furthermore, it's crucial to optimize your pool of spirits, attracting new and useful allies while banishing those that no longer serve your purpose. Can you manage your spirits and build the most prosperous grove to claim the throne of Idyllon?
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Gallery
Box and component photos
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Creatures: Fairies / Elves / PixiesCrowdfunding: IndiegogoCrowdfunding: KickstarterDigital Implementations: TabletopiaTheme: Seasons of the yearTheme: Trees and Forests
businessPublisherLetiman Games
editDesignerDan Letzring, Steven Aramini
paletteArtistJeff Wallace, Michael Cofer, Nolan Nasser
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Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
791owners
279wishlist
24want to play
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
6 questions
What is the ideal player count for Groves? expand_more
Groves particularly shines with 2 to 3 players, where competition for action spaces is present but not as tight as with 4. It's a game that works well at all counts, but this is the range where strategy and interaction are best balanced.
Is Groves a complex game? What is its difficulty? expand_more
With a BGG weight of 2.3182/5, Groves is considered a medium-complexity game. The basic rules are easy to pick up, but mastering the interactions between worker placement and bag building mechanics takes a few plays. It's a delightful challenge!
How long does a game of Groves last? expand_more
A game of Groves typically takes between 60 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of players and familiarity with the rules. It's an ideal length for a strategic game session without being exhaustive.
What are the main components of the game? expand_more
Groves comes with various types of land tiles to build your grove, spirit tokens of different elements for the summoning bag, scoring markers, and a central board representing the Tree of Idyllon. All with well-crafted art that matches the theme!
Does Groves have a solo mode? expand_more
Yes! Groves offers a solo mode, allowing you to enjoy the experience of restoring Idyllon on your own. It's a great way to practice strategies and delve deeper into the game's mechanics.
Who is Groves recommended for? expand_more
Groves is recommended for players who enjoy medium-complexity strategy games with worker placement and bag building mechanics. If you like fantasy themes, resource management, and engine optimization, you'll have a lot of fun!