Contents
Welcome to the Dale of Merchants Game Rules!
Let’s dive into the exciting world of Dale of Merchants! In this game, we will embark on a thrilling adventure where we compete to become the ultimate merchant. Are you ready to show off your trading skills and rise to the top?
The goal of Dale of Merchants is to be the first player to build a complete deck of cards. Each player starts with a small deck of cards representing goods they can trade. As the game progresses, you will acquire new cards and expand your deck.
During your turn, you can perform a variety of actions. You can play cards from your hand, use your own cards to buy new ones, or even trade with other players. The possibilities are endless, giving you plenty of strategic options to consider.
Rounds and Phases
Dale of Merchants is played in several rounds, each consisting of several phases. In each round, players take turns going clockwise until all players have passed. The game ends when either a player completes their deck or the deck of Faction cards runs out, in which case the player with the most cards wins the game!
There are several phases in each round. First, the Supply Phase allows all players to buy new cards from the common supply. Then we have the Draw Phase, where players draw new cards from their decks. This is followed by the Main Phase, where players can take a variety of different actions. Finally, there is the Cleanup Phase where players prepare for the next round.
The Importance of Strategy
In Dale of Merchants, strategy is key. You not only have to manage your resources efficiently, but also adapt to the changing game state and anticipate your opponents’ moves. Every decision you make can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
Understanding the different card abilities, synergies, and player interactions will greatly enhance your chances of victory. You must carefully consider your options and think ahead to outsmart your opponents.
Conclusion
Now that you have a solid understanding of Dale of Merchants, it’s time to gather your fellow merchants and embark on an unforgettable trading adventure. Remember, the key to success lies in your strategic thinking, careful planning, and adaptability. Good luck and may the best merchant win!
Hey there! Imagine stepping into the shoes of animalfolk merchants, eager to learn new techniques, trade goods, and manage our stocks. It’s an exciting journey where we can showcase our skills and build something truly remarkable.
The goal is simple – be the first one to create an astounding merchant stall by stacking 8 cards in ascending order in front of us. It’s a test of strategy, wit, and a little bit of luck. The winner not only earns bragging rights but also gains access to the prestigious guild!
Let me tell you a bit about the Guild of Extraordinary Traders. This secretive guild is based in Dale, nestled among the majestic Alps. While the guild is famous, its leader and most members remain a mystery to the public, giving it an air of intrigue.
But don’t let the secrecy fool you. The guild’s renowned associates act as diplomats in various countries and courts, striking deals, and providing favors. They are the backbone of the guild, ensuring its influence and success.
What’s in the Box?
When you open the box, you’ll find a collection of colorful cards, each with a unique character. Let’s go through what’s inside:
- 15 Snappy scarlet macaw cards
- 15 Dealing giant panda cards
- 15 Thieving northern raccoon cards
- 15 Hoarding flying squirrel cards
- 15 Lucky ocelot cards
- 15 Adapting veiled chameleon cards
- 20 junk cards
- 1 market board
- 1 ocelot die
Get to Know the Cards
Each card represents a different animal character. Here’s an overview:
When it comes to card games, there’s something captivating about the artwork, the intricacies of the gameplay mechanics, and the surprises waiting for you at every turn. But have you ever stopped to consider the deeper meanings behind the cards? The hidden stories they tell and the insights they can offer?
As I unlock the world of card games, I discover that each card holds a wealth of value, from its purpose in the game to the artistic choices made by its creators. These choices are evident in the beautifully crafted icons that adorn the cards, each one representing a unique value or ability that can turn the tide of battle.
But it doesn’t stop there. Every card has a name, a window into the world it belongs to. It can be the name of a mythical creature, a powerful spell, or even a legendary hero. Just reading the card names can spark my imagination and transport me to a realm of fantasy and adventure.
And let’s not forget about the effects and flavor text. Each card’s effect determines its impact on the game, whether it’s summoning a creature, casting a spell, or triggering a special ability. The flavor text, on the other hand, gives the card a voice, a personality that adds another layer of depth to the gameplay experience. It can be a catchy one-liner, a cryptic riddle, or a snippet of lore, all designed to further immerse you in the game’s world.
So, next time you find yourself shuffling through a deck of cards, take a moment to appreciate the thought and creativity that went into their design. Each card is more than just a piece of cardboard; it’s a doorway to a world of wonder and excitement.
Meet the Guild of Extraordinary Traders! We’re a group of talented individuals who have come together to revolutionize the world of trading. Let me tell you about the different types of cards we use in our game, so you can join in on the fun.
First up, we have animalfolk cards. These are special cards that depict creatures from the animal kingdom. Each animalfolk card represents a unique skill or ability that can be used to your advantage during gameplay.
Next, we have junk cards. Now, don’t let the name fool you. Junk cards may not seem valuable at first, but they can be incredibly powerful when used strategically. These cards often have unexpected effects that can turn the tide of any trade.
Lastly, we have technique cards. These cards represent various trading strategies and techniques that you can employ to gain an edge over your opponents. From cunning negotiations to clever market manipulation, technique cards give you the upper hand when it comes to making deals.
So, whether you’re a seasoned trader or new to the game, the Guild of Extraordinary Traders has something for everyone. Join us and discover a world of excitement, strategy, and endless possibilities. Are you ready to become an extraordinary trader? The adventure awaits!
When you play technique cards, you can use them as a special action. If a card has a bonus action icon (), you’ll get an extra action when you play it.
Passive
Passive cards have effects that apply while you have them in your hand or when you use them for other actions, unless the card text says otherwise. Remember to show the card to other players when you use its effect.
Rubbish
At the beginning of the game, each player starts with several rubbish cards called “junk” in their decks. Typically, you can only use junk cards to buy new animalfolk cards.
Market keepers only accept junk as payment because they know they can sell it again. It’s surprisingly easy to sell almost anything to unsuspecting citizens, as long as you’re convincing enough.
Setup
Hey there! Let’s dive into the wonderful world of Animalfolk and how to choose the perfect deck for your game. Remember, I’m here to help you make the best decision, so let’s get started!
First things first, gather all the animalfolk decks and select one for each player, plus an extra deck. Keep the remaining decks safely in the game box. Now, the cool thing is that you can customize your game by choosing animalfolks whose abilities match your group’s playing style. Isn’t that awesome?
For instance, if you want more player interaction, go for the mischievous Thieving northern raccoons. They definitely spice things up! On the other hand, if you’re craving chaos and unpredictability, the Lucky ocelots are your go-to deck. You can find a detailed list of all the animalfolks on the final page of this rulebook, so make sure to check it out.
Now, when it comes to deciding who goes first, the player who woke up earliest today gets the honor of starting the game. But here’s an interesting thought: have you ever noticed that being first in line often leads to snagging the best deals? It’s a mystery worth exploring, don’t you think?
In this simple card game, I’ll show you how to set up and play. Ready to dive in?
First things first, let’s get our decks ready. Each player will have their own deck, made up of animalfolk cards and some junk cards. Grab one 1-valued card from each of the animalfolk decks and give them to the players. Then, add enough junk cards to each deck to bring the total to 10 cards. Shuffle the decks and place them next to each player. We’ll also need a separate pile of junk cards nearby.
Now, let’s deal with the rest of the animalfolk cards. Take the remaining 1-valued cards and put them away in the game box. Give the remaining animalfolk cards a good shuffle – this will become the market deck.
Next, we need to set up the market. Place the market board next to the market deck. Draw 5 cards from the market deck and place them on the board. These cards form the market. This is where we’ll buy new cards during the game.
Finally, each player draws 5 cards from their own deck. These cards will be their starting hand.
Let me quickly introduce you to some important spots on the game board. We have Player’s discard pile, Player’s merchant stall, and the Market’s discard pile.
Now, let’s get into the gameplay!
- Action phase – Do one of the following actions:
- Go shopping – Buy a card from the market
- Use your skills – Play a technique card
- Build your stash – Create a stack in your stash
- Clean your hand – Get rid of any number of cards from your hand
- Refill your hand to 5 cards
- Restock the market slots
1. Action phase – Choose one action
Start your turn by picking one from the four available actions. You can’t do the other actions this turn unless you’re given a bonus action.
When a card instructs you to discard something, it doesn’t go to your own discard pile. Instead, unwanted cards are placed in the junk pile, and animalfolk cards go to the market’s discard pile.
Note: All discard piles have face-up cards. You can look through them at any time but can’t change their order.
A. Buying a Card from the Market
You have the option to buy a card from the market. This means you can get a new card by paying for it with other cards from your hand. Each card is worth its printed value when used as a form of payment.
The market displays several cards, with the rightmost card having the same price as its value. As you move towards the left, the prices increase by one: +1, +2, +3, and +4, as shown on the market board slots. After buying a card, place the cards you used for payment into your discard pile. Then, add the newly acquired animalfolk card to your hand.
Note: If you can’t pay less with the cards you have, you can pay more for a card. Just make sure that the amount you overpay is less than the value of each card you use.
Here’s an example: let’s say you want to buy a card that costs 5. You have two cards that are worth 4 each. You can use these two cards to pay for the 5 card, even if you have a card that is worth 5. But you can’t use any additional cards if you’re paying for the 5 card with a 5 card or a 3 plus a 2 card.
When the competition starts, everyone has some junk and a few trading techniques. The key to winning is knowing when to get new techniques and when to add more variety to your stall.
Step B. Take Action – Play a Move Card
Play a Move Card. Each Move Card can be used as the movement action described on the bottom half of the card. Show the card and perform the action indicated. The effects occur in the order listed on the card. After resolving the card’s effects, place it in your discard pile, unless otherwise instructed.
Note: If you are unable to draw, take, or exchange the specified number of cards as stated in the effect, perform the action using the maximum number of cards you can.
Each animalfolk has their own unique way of getting around. Some are adept at rounding up goods for their stalls, while others resort to less reputable methods.
If you see a card with a bonus action icon (@p), you can do an extra action after finishing all the effects of that card. You get the bonus action on the same turn that you play the card. Your bonus action can be any of the regular four actions.
If you use your bonus action to play another technique card that also has a bonus action icon, you can then play another action – and keep going like this.
You can get more tasks done efficiently if you plan your schedule well! Just make sure you develop time-saving habits.
Keep in mind: You only earn a bonus action if you use a card for its technique, not when you use it to buy from the market or play it in your stall.
If you need to discard multiple cards simultaneously, you get to decide the order they go into the discard pile. After resolving its effects, the technique card goes to the discard pile.
C. Stall Action – Create a stack in your stall
So here’s the deal: I’ve got this merchant stall, right? It’s got 8 stacks of cards, each with a different value. The catch is that the first stack has to be worth 1, the second stack has to be worth 2, and so on. We’re talking about cards in ascending order here, folks. But listen up, once those cards are in my stall, I can’t use them for anything else. No playing them for special effects or anything like that.
Now, you’re probably wondering why I can’t just toss some garbage in my stall and call it a day. Well, let me tell you, my friend. We’re all about building a good reputation here, not tearing it down. Of course, I’ve heard some of the other merchants can get away with a little bit of trash in their booths. Lucky them, I guess.
To create a perfect stack, pick some cards from one set of animalfolk cards and place them in front of you in your stall. Make sure that all the card values are visible. Remember, you can’t build a partial stack and keep adding to it later. The stack must be complete from the beginning.
If you’re a card game enthusiast, you might have encountered situations where certain card effects change the values of your stacks. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal! However, when you’re ready to create your next stack, it’s important to assign it a value that matches its sequence number in your stall. Keep in mind that once a stack is completed, the values and cards it contains no longer matter – it’s considered finished regardless.
Once you’ve put something on display, it’s not a good idea to keep using it. It’s like wearing out your own merchandise, and that’s a quick way to lose whatever reputation you’ve built.
D. Take Inventory – Get rid of any cards from your hand
Put as many cards as you want from your hand into your discard pile.
2. Cleaning Up
Cleaning up happens after you’ve taken your chosen action and any extra actions you’re allowed.
1. Fill Up Your Hand
Draw cards from your deck until you have 5 cards in your hand. There’s no highest limit for how many cards you can have in hand, so don’t worry if you had more cards before. Only the person taking their turn needs to fill their hand. If other players have less than 5 cards in their hand for any reason, they only refill during their own cleaning-up phase.
So, here’s the thing: after a really nice visit, it’s only fair that we all take some time to tidy up. But honestly, where’s the excitement in being considerate?
Here’s the deal: whenever your deck of cards is all used up and you or anyone else needs to draw more, simply mix up your pile of already-played cards and use it to make a new deck. And if you ever find yourself with an empty deck and an empty discard pile at the same time, just draw some extra cards from the junk pile until your hand has a total of 5.
In the off chance that the junk pile also runs dry, don’t worry! You can grab cards from the other decks that aren’t being used as replacements. There’s an endless supply of junk cards, so no need to stress.
If you can’t find anything better to buy, I bet you’ve got some junk lying around for a rainy day.
2. Fill the empty spots in the market
If there are any empty spots in the market, move all the cards to the next empty spot on the right, if possible. Draw new cards from the market deck and fill the spots from right to left until there are 5 cards in the market.
The fresh stuff is bound to be expensive. Hopefully, you’ve got some extra cash to spare. Once the market sellers see that demand is low, they’ll lower their prices. Just a little, though.
If the market deck ever runs out of cards and you need new ones, shuffle the discarded cards and use them to form a new market deck. If both the market deck and discard pile run out at the same time, nothing happens.
Imagine if there were endless supplies. We could take whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, without a care in the world. But that’s not how it works. Once something is gone, it’s gone for good. Sure, new deliveries will arrive tomorrow, but that doesn’t help us today. We need to finish what we’re doing now because if we don’t, someone else will swoop in and take our place.
The Final Moment
When you place the 8th stack in your merchant stall, you become the winner! It’s an exciting moment of triumph and celebration.
Once a stall is complete, the owner is declared the winner and receives a special prize – a membership to the prestigious guild. But remember, there can only be one winner each year, so everyone else has a chance to improve their abilities and try again!