The Honshu Game Rules

Hey there! Welcome to the world of Honshu, where I’ll be taking you through the game rules. Trust me, you’re in for a treat!

First things first, let me explain what Honshu is all about. It’s a game that challenges you to shape and build your own rustic Japanese landscape. Sounds cool, right? Well, it gets even better!

In Honshu, you’ll be dealt a hand of landscape cards, and your goal is to strategically place them on your own personal playing area. Remember, every decision you make will have a big impact on the outcome of the game, so choose wisely!

Now, let’s dive into the specifics. Each landscape card has a grid on it, and it’s up to you to arrange them in the most efficient way possible. The cards come in different shapes, and it’s essential to plan your moves to maximize the points you can score. Efficiency is the key, my friend!

But there’s more. You see, each card also has different types of terrain on it, like forests and cities. These terrains have a special significance, as they can earn you extra points. That’s right, build wisely and earn big!

As you progress through the game, you’ll have the opportunity to collect more landscape cards and expand your playing area. This means more possibilities, my friend! Keep an eye out for opportunities to expand, as they can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Now, let’s talk about scoring. At the end of the game, you’ll receive points based on the size of your forests, the number of completed cities, and the length of your roads. But remember, it’s not just about quantity – quality matters too! Make sure to craft a well-balanced landscape to maximize your points.

Oh, and one more thing! I understand that sometimes luck just isn’t on your side. That’s why Honshu allows you to strategically rotate the cards before placing them. This little twist can make all the difference in the world, so don’t underestimate its power!

So there you have it, the rules of Honshu in a nutshell. It’s a game of skill, strategy, and a touch of luck. Explore the vibrant world of Japanese landscapes, make smart decisions, and show off your creativity. Have fun, and may the best landscape architect win!

Hey there! Let me tell you about this exciting card game called Honshu. It’s set in feudal Japan and combines trick-taking and map-building elements. As a player, you take on the role of a lord or lady of a Noble house. Your goal is to seek new lands and opportunities to achieve fame and fortune.

A game of Honshu consists of 12 rounds, with each round having two phases.

In the first phase, players play Map cards in a trick. The player with the highest-valued card gets to pick first from the cards played. This is an important decision because the cards you pick will be used to expand your personal map in the next phase.

During the second phase, you and the other players use the Map cards you’ve picked to expand your personal maps. The key here is to strategically expand your map to maximize your scoring possibilities. The more you expand, the better your chances of earning points.

Now, let me share a secret with you. Manipulating your position in the player order is crucial for mastering Honshu. If you can find ways to control when you pick cards first or last, you’ll have a huge advantage over your opponents.

Components

• There are 40 Resources in total, divided into 10 blue, 10 brown, 10 grey, and 10 yellow cards. This ensures a balanced distribution for everyone.
• For the starting setup, we have 6 Province cards. These cards are double-sided – the A-side is the same for all players, guaranteeing a fair and equal start. The B-side provides an asymmetric setup for a unique challenge.
• Experience a variety of scenarios with the 60 Map cards. Each card is numbered from 1 to 60, offering diverse opportunities throughout the game.
• Make use of the 8 End of Game Scoring cards to keep track of your progress and determine the final results. They will help you evaluate your performance and strategy.
• Ensure a smooth gameplay experience with the 5 Player Order cards. They assist in establishing the turn order, allowing each player a fair chance to make their moves.
• Keep the game rules handy with the 5 Scoring Summary cards. They provide a concise overview of the scoring mechanics, making it easier for you to understand and apply them.

Welcome to the Game Setup

Hey there! Let’s get the game started by setting everything up. Here’s what you need to do:

1. First, place all the resources in the center of the playing area. This will be our common pool.
2. Next, choose which side of the Starting Province cards you want to use. Once you’ve decided, deal one random Starting Province card to each player with the chosen side face up. Don’t forget to place a matching resource on each of the production squares on the Starting Province cards. The Starting Province card will be the first card in each player’s map.
3. Now, deal one random Player Order card and one Scoring Summary card face up to each player.
4. Finally, shuffle all the Map cards and deal 6 to each player as their starting hand. The remaining Map cards will form a draw pile. And voila! You’re now ready to jump into the game.

Let the fun begin! Enjoy the game!

How to Play the Game

Playing this game involves 12 rounds, each consisting of two phases: the Trick-Taking Phase and the Map Phase.

The Trick-Taking Phase for 3 to 5 Players

• During each Trick-Taking Phase, players take turns in ascending order (Player Order cards: 1, 2, 3.).
• The order in which the Map cards are picked is determined by the cards played in the trick.

Playing a Trick

Here’s how a trick is played: players take turns, following the player order, by playing one Map card from their hand and placing it face-up on the playing area. They can also choose to add a single resource from their production squares to the Map card they are playing. However, there are some rules to keep in mind:

• The first resource played in a trick can be of any type.
• If any further resources are played in the same trick, they must be of the same type.
• Each resource played on a Map card increases its value by 60.

Once everyone has played a Map card and potentially a resource, it’s time to figure out the new player order. We determine this by giving out Player Order cards in descending order of the total values of the Map cards played. Let me break it down for you with an example.

Now that we have the new player order, each player selects one of the Map cards on the playing area and enters the Map Phase. Any resources that were used get returned to the common pool.

Alice played Map card #11.

Bob played card #29 and a blue resource, totaling 89 points.

Charlie played card #57 with a resource, totaling 117 points. It was blue because Bob had already played a blue resource.

Dave played card #59. Charlie is now the new first player, Bob is second, and Dave is third.

Let’s Conquer the Map!

During the Map Phase, we expand our maps by adding the card we got in the last Trick-Taking Phase. So here’s what I do: I take my Map card and put it in my map. The catch is that I have to make sure that at least one square of the new card is either on top of or hidden under a card I’ve already placed. Oh, and another thing – I have to keep at least one square of the new card visible.

Now, there’s an exception to this rule. You see, the Lake squares must always be visible. They can never be hidden. So keep that in mind.

Oh, and one more thing. When I place my new Map card, I also place a matching resource on each production square of that card. But here’s the thing – if I put my card on top of a production square that already has a resource, that resource goes away. It gets discarded to the common pool.

Now let’s talk about consecutive rounds.

I’m the player who gets to go first in the Trick-Taking Phase. I start by playing a Map card from my hand.

• Once we finish the third round, any Map cards that we still have in our hands get given to the player on our left.
• After we reach the sixth round, each of us receives six new Map cards from the draw pile to replenish our hand.
• Once we complete the ninth round, any remaining Map cards in our hands go to the player on our right.
• Once we finish 12 rounds, the game ends and it’s time for the final scoring.

Trick-Taking Phases for 2 Players

At the start of every Trick-Taking Phase, we reveal two Map cards from the draw pile. These two cards create a pair. Then, at the same time, we each pick a Map card from our hand to play. These two cards form another pair.

When we play a game and use Map cards, the person who has the higher valued card gets to choose which pair they want. But here’s the interesting part: the person who lost can still have a say. They can remove two resources from their own map and take one of the pairs instead. The pair that wasn’t chosen goes to the other player. Then, both players have to discard one card from the pair they chose to keep. This leaves each player with one card for the Map Phase.

Now, let’s talk about the different types of areas we can find on the Map cards.

First, we have the Forest.

In the end, every square of forest that you can see is worth .

The City:

When it’s time to tally up the points, each town square carries its own value, but the catch is, only the largest district per player counts towards the final score.

Work Squares:

Hey there! Let me break down how things work during the Map Phase of the game. Here’s the deal: when a new production square pops up, it gets a resource placed right on it. These resources come in handy later on during the Trick-Taking Phase. You can use them to boost the value of your cards by a whopping 60 points! Pretty cool, huh? Alternatively, you can deliver them to matching factories for some extra points during the final scoring. So, make sure you keep an eye out for those resources during the Map Phase. They could be your ticket to victory!

Speaking of factories…

When the game is over, any resources that you haven’t used can be scored by placing them in a matching factory. Each factory can only hold one resource of each type, either wheat, wood, or stone. You can score these resources in the final tally for your final score.

During the Map Phase, I can’t hide lakes beneath other Map cards. They need to be visible to all. When we score at the end, every lake district is counted. The very first square in a lake district is worth zero points. But each subsequent square in that district is worth seven points.

Fallows don’t really make a difference in how the game is played. They’re only used as a way to break any ties that might happen during the final scoring.

An Optional Rule: End of Game Scoring Cards

When the game starts, we reveal one End of Game Scoring card. And then, all the players get to score points based on what the card says:

1: Instead of delivering just one resource to each factory, you can deliver two!

Let’s talk about the game Honshu. It’s a strategic game where I have to build a map of a feudal Japanese landscape. The goal is to score as many points as possible by placing cards and securing valuable resources. It’s like creating my own little world!

In Honshu, I need to pay attention to a few important things. First, the forest squares. If I manage to create a row or column with three consecutive forest squares, I’ll get a bonus. That’s a helpful boost to my score!

Another thing to keep in mind is the fallows. These are the empty spaces on the map. If I can create a 2×2 block of fallows, I’ll earn some extra points. It’s like finding hidden treasure!

So, as I play Honshu, I’ll be looking for ways to maximize my points. By focusing on the forest squares and fallows, I can boost my score and create a beautiful, thriving landscape. It’s all about strategy and making the right decisions. Are you ready to start playing? Let’s build our own feudal Japanese world in Honshu!

Imagine a game where the rules are twisted, where even something as simple as a lake can hold a hidden surprise. In this game, every lake square is worth an unusual amount of points, making it an enticing challenge for players of all skill levels.

Imagine a bustling town with lively squares that radiate charm and character. These squares, when thoughtfully arranged, become valuable hubs of activity, connecting with four other squares in a beautiful dance of community.

Did you know that every visible and empty production square is valued at 6? It’s kinda mind-boggling, isn’t it?

Did you know that in a factory, each blue and/or yellow resource is worth extra points? I find this fascinating! Just imagine the possibilities when you have these valuable resources at your disposal.

8: I need to remember that every grey and/or brown resource in a factory has extra value.

FINAL SCORING

When I’m done playing, I will score my maps by looking at the factories, forests, lakes, and towns that are visible.

So here’s the deal: When it comes to forests, they’re pretty important, you know? They’re these big, beautiful, green spaces that are filled with all sorts of plants and animals. And if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering, “Why should I care about forests?” Well, let me tell you why.

First of all, forests are known as the lungs of the Earth. They take in carbon dioxide, which is a gas that’s not so great for the planet, and they give out oxygen, which is a gas that we need to breathe. So basically, forests help us stay alive. Pretty cool, huh?

But that’s not all forests do. They’re also home to a lot of different species. You’ve got trees, of course, but you’ve also got birds, insects, mammals, and all sorts of other critters. And here’s the thing: all of these species are interconnected. They rely on each other in some way, whether it’s for food, shelter, or something else.

Now, here’s the tricky part. Forests are like a delicate balancing act. When you mess with one part of the ecosystem, it can have a ripple effect on everything else. Let me give you an example. If you cut down a bunch of trees in a forest, it can disrupt the homes and food sources for a lot of different animals. And if those animals disappear, it could throw off the whole ecosystem.

So, what’s the takeaway from all of this? Well, choosing the right path when it comes to forests is crucial. We need to understand the importance of preserving these green spaces and all the life that depends on them. By doing so, we can ensure that future generations get to enjoy the beauty and benefits of forests just as we do.

So next time you’re out in nature, take a moment to appreciate the forests around you. Remember, they’re not just a bunch of trees – they’re home to countless species and they play a vital role in keeping our planet healthy. And if you want to help out, there are plenty of ways to get involved, like volunteering to plant trees or supporting organizations that work to protect forests. Trust me, every little bit makes a difference.

When playing the game, each town square I acquire earns me points. However, only the largest town district I have will count towards my final score. A district is made up of all the squares that are next to each other and have the same type of area.

Whenever I have a factory that can receive a resource from a matching production square, I score points. The amount of points I earn depends on the resources I can collect, which are represented by images of #image.jpg, #image.jpg, and #image.jpg.

The first square of every lake district is not worth any points. However, each subsequent square in the district is worth a certain number of points, represented by images of #image.jpg and #image.jpg.

When you play a game, winning is the ultimate goal. The player who wins the most games is considered the champion. But what happens when the game ends in a tie? That’s where things get interesting.

In the event of a tie, there needs to be a way to determine the winner. In this case, the tiebreaker is based on the number of visible fallows. Fallows are a crucial element of the game, and the player with the highest number of visible fallows takes home the victory.

So, even if you find yourself in a deadlock with your opponent, don’t worry! Keep your eye on those fallows and aim for the highest count. With this tiebreaker rule in place, you can still come out on top, even when the game is neck and neck.