Merchants Cove: The Oracle

Final Frontier Games, Devil Dice Games, Fabrika Igr · Board game · 2021
1–5 · best 3 Solo 60–90 min Weight 2.3/5
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.9 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 12.68
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Perfect for those who love asymmetric gameplay and the tactile feel of a premium Roll & Write.

Highlights
  • Unique and immersive components
  • Innovative rune-throwing mechanic
  • Genuine asymmetric experience
  • Easy reset with dry-erase board
Keep in mind
  • Requires the base game to play
  • Dice luck can be frustrating
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
Ever thought about making a living by selling hope (and maybe a bit of questionable mysticism) to desperate adventurers? In 'The Oracle', you step into the shoes of Haggatha, a seer who doesn't shy away from an opportunity to empty the gold pouches of anyone walking through her door. The goal is simple: read the stars, divine the future, and, if necessary, add a touch of voodoo to ensure the customer leaves satisfied—and you leave much wealthier.

But it's not just about mysticism; it's about management! You'll need to balance the offering of lucky charms and horoscopes while making sure your 'darker' practices (or the pile of dirty dishes in the sink) don't scare away the honest clientele. The real twist here is that the expansion transforms the experience into a 'Roll & Write' style game. Forget boring paper notes; you get a dry-erase board, a marker, and a custom dice tray.

The gameplay flow is dynamic: you throw a handful of runes—including a coin, a bone, a voodoo meeple, and a die—into a divided dish. Depending on where each item lands, you record the results on your board, performing strategic actions and attempting to predict what's coming next. It's the perfect blend of luck, planning, and the tactile satisfaction of manipulating unique components. If you love asymmetric games where each character plays in a completely different way, Haggatha is the perfect addition to your table. Prepare your crystal ball, organize your shop, and remember: destiny is malleable, especially if you have the right runes!
Expansion for
Rules manual
Rules manual — Merchants Cove: The Oracle English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 REC
5 REC
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Game details

Families

Components: 3-Dimensional (3D) Components: Dry Erase Markers / Dry Erase Surfaces Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: Merchants Cove Players: Expansions Changing Player Count Setting: The Five Realms
Publisher Final Frontier Games, Devil Dice Games, Fabrika Igr, Galakta, Mosaico Jogos, Pegasus Spiele, Super Meeple, TCG Factory, TLAMA games
Designer Carl Van Ostrand, Drake Villareal, Jonny Pac
Artist Mihajlo Dimitrievski
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, this is an expansion. You need Merchants Cove to use the Oracle.
Is the game complex?
If you're already familiar with the base game, the learning curve is smooth. It introduces Roll & Write mechanics, which are intuitive but strategic.
What's in the box?
You get the dry-erase board, a marker, a custom dice tray, and the runes (coin, bone, voodoo meeple, and die).
How many people can play?
The expansion allows for changes in player count, making the game more flexible for different group sizes.
Is it a fast game?
A full game of Merchants Cove takes between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of players.