Sheepland

Coffee Haus Games, Cranio Creations, D&A Games · Board game · 2012
2–4 · best 4 30 min Weight 1.8/5
7.3 rating Ludopedia
6.5 rating BGG
Buy
7.3 rating Ludopedia
6.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Sheepland is a quick abstract game that will appeal to those who enjoy optimizing actions and planning ahead. If you like a strategic challenge with a light thematic touch, it might be a good fit!

Highlights
  • Fast and engaging strategy
  • Interesting tactical decisions
  • Light and fun theme
  • Charming components
Keep in mind
  • Rules can be confusing initially
  • Luck can play a big role
  • Little direct interaction
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Sheepland, you and your fellow shepherds will compete to see who's best at tending sheep on the beautiful island that gives the game its name. The idea is simple: move your sheep to the right areas and invest in the terrain types that will yield the most points at the end. Each turn, you have three actions to spend as you wish: move your shepherd, move a sheep, or buy a terrain tile. But pay attention: you must move the shepherd at least once and cannot repeat the same action twice in a row without moving the shepherd in between. There are six types of terrain, each with five tiles that become more expensive as you buy them. Buying a terrain isn't like claiming land, but rather betting that sheep will end up grazing there. The map is divided into 18 regions, and shepherds move between 'rest stops' on the roads connecting these regions. Each shepherd movement places a fence, blocking that spot forever. This fragments the board and can create a rush for resources! The black sheep is a special piece worth more points and moves semi-randomly, adding an extra spice to the game. In the end, whoever has the most money and the most points from terrains with sheep wins. It's a quick game with interesting decisions and a touch of luck, perfect for those who enjoy abstract strategy with a light and fun theme.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 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

Families

Animals: Sheep Components: Meeples (Animal) / Animeeples Islands: Fictional Islands: Sardinia (Italy)
Publisher Coffee Haus Games, Cranio Creations, D&A Games, Games 4 Gamers
Designer Daniele Tascini, Simone Luciani
Artist Giulia Ghigini, Mauro Sorghienti

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many actions do I have per turn in Sheepland?
You have 3 actions per turn. You can choose between moving your shepherd, moving a sheep, or buying a terrain tile. Remember that you must move the shepherd at least once and cannot repeat the same action twice in a row without moving the shepherd in between.
How do points work in Sheepland?
You earn points at the end of the game based on how many tiles of each terrain type you bought and how many sheep are in those areas. Any money left in hand also counts towards your score.
What happens when the shepherd moves?
When your shepherd moves from a rest stop, you place a fence there. That location becomes blocked for the rest of the game, which can change the flow of sheep and the accessibility of areas.
Is the black sheep important?
Yes! The black sheep is worth 2 points and moves semi-randomly each turn. It can be a point of focus for your opponents or an opportunity for you to gain extra points if you can control it.
Is Sheepland a game for children?
Although the theme is light and the components are cute, the strategic decisions and action management might be a bit complex for very young children. It's more suitable for players around 10 years old and up, especially if they enjoy abstract games.
How long does a game of Sheepland last?
Games of Sheepland are quite fast, usually lasting around 30 minutes, making it great for a shorter session or when you don't have much time.
What is the complexity level of Sheepland?
The estimated weight on BoardGameGeek is low (1.76/5), indicating that the rules are not overly complicated. The complexity arises more from the tactical decisions and long-term strategic planning.

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