Pearladöra

Pearladöra is the watery sequel to the line that began with Nuggets (2003) and was refreshed in Armadöra (2013). Instead of gold mines in a desert, players now vie for precious pearls scattered across an 8 × 5 grid representing the sea. Each turn you have two options: place two pontoons (the floating "fences") or drop a diver. The pontoons delineate closed areas; at game end, the strength of divers inside each area decides who claims the pearls inside. Areas must be at least four squares, just like in the earlier versions.

The game incorporates Armadöra’s advanced rules: each player receives a reinforcement token to boost a diver’s strength and 1‑2 special powers usable once per game. These powers were rethemed for the marine setting – the elf can shoot an opponent’s diver in an empty territory, lowering its strength; the orc can erect an extra fence that turn; the goblin may place a second, face‑up diver; and the mage can peek at the value of an already placed opponent diver.

All components are wooden – pontoons, divers, reinforcement tokens – plus a board illustrated with waves and pearls. The artwork mixes fantasy and Old West vibes, giving a treasure‑hunt feel underwater. A 20‑30‑minute game for 2‑4 players, Pearladöra has a light learning curve (weight 1.96/5), perfect for fans of abstract strategy who don’t want rule‑bloat. Its strength lies in the tension of hidden values and strategic enclosure, while the unique powers add a dash of bluffing and surprise. The game shines in both head‑to‑head duels and team‑based matches, and it’s also playable online via Board Game Arena.