In Takenoko, you’re not just a gardener; you’re a gardener with a panda problem. You’ve got a garden with three types of bamboo, and it’s your job to make it flourish. But here’s the twist: there’s a panda that loves to munch on bamboo, and he’s always hungry. You’ll find yourself racing against the clock, trying to grow bamboo faster than your panda can gobble it up.
Plus, there’s a quirky Emperor who keeps giving you secret objectives like, “Make the bamboo green!” Well, duh, that’s what gardeners do! But in Takenoko, these objectives become your mission in life, and you’ll do everything in your power to achieve them, even if it means plotting bamboo growth like it’s a military operation.
So, if you’re looking for a game that combines gardening, panda antics, and a dash of absurdity, Takenoko is your bamboo-filled ticket to laughter and fun!
What’s included in Takenoko
- Game board depicting the garden.
- Bamboo pieces of different colors.
- Panda figurine.
- Gardener figurine.
- Objective cards.
- Plot tiles.
- Weather die.
How to play Takenoko
Setup
- Place the game board in the center of the table.
- Put the weather die and the panda and gardener figurines nearby.
- Shuffle the objective cards and draw a certain number based on the player count.
- Shuffle the plot tiles and place them face down.
- Give each player two plot tiles and one irrigation channel tile.
Rules for Takenoko
Takenoko is played over a series of turns, with each turn comprising two phases: the Action Phase and the Weather Phase.
Action Phase:
- On your turn, you take two actions. Actions include:
- Plot a Tile: Place one of your plot tiles adjacent to an existing tile (matching landscape types).
- Irrigation: Place an irrigation channel on the board to extend water to a tile without a water source. (Optional)
- Move the Gardener: Move the gardener to a tile, and then grow bamboo of the same color one level on that tile.
- Move the Panda: Move the panda to a tile and eat one bamboo of that color. This scores you points. The panda can’t eat the last bamboo on a tile.
- Draw Objective Cards: Draw one face-down objective card or choose one face-up objective card.
- After your two actions, draw a new plot tile to refill your hand.
Weather Phase:
- Roll the weather die. The weather affects the growth of bamboo and the movement of the panda and gardener.
Scoring: Objective cards have specific conditions you need to fulfill. Once you complete an objective, you score points and reveal a new objective.
Winning: The game ends when a player completes a certain number of objectives (based on the player count). The player with the most points wins.
For the official rules, see the link below:
How to win Takenoko
- Balance Objectives: Pay attention to your objective cards. Aim to select objectives that can be achieved simultaneously, making your actions more efficient. For example, if you have an objective to grow bamboo of a certain color and another to have the panda eat bamboo of that color, focus on that color to meet both objectives at once.
- Strategic Tile Placement: When you place tiles, think strategically. Cluster similar landscape types together to maximize bamboo growth. Try to create patterns that allow you to quickly fulfill your objectives. Remember that irrigated tiles are essential for some objectives, so plan your irrigation placements accordingly.
- Irrigation Management: Proper irrigation is crucial. Extend your network to reach as many tiles as possible, especially those with higher bamboo growth. It can be a good idea to collaborate with other players to create a comprehensive irrigation system, but be ready to compete for access to essential tiles.
- Panda Movement: Utilize the panda effectively. Consider where the panda can eat bamboo to fulfill your objectives. Try to eat bamboo from tiles that have more of it, so you gain points faster. Also, pay attention to the weather die, as it can affect the panda’s movement. Plan your moves around the weather to optimize panda feeding.
- Gardener Movement: The gardener helps bamboo grow, and you can use this to your advantage. Move the gardener to tiles that match your objective cards. If you focus on one or two bamboo colors, you can accelerate their growth and quickly fulfill objectives related to those colors.
- Manage the Weather: Keep an eye on the weather die. Use it to your advantage, especially when it benefits your objectives. For example, if you need the gardener to grow a specific color of bamboo, aim to move the gardener on a turn when the weather die boosts his growth.
- Compete for Objectives: Some objectives can be competitive, like having the most bamboo of a certain color or the tallest bamboo. Don’t hesitate to compete for these objectives if they align with your strategy, but be mindful of your opponents’ progress.
- Stay Adaptable: Be flexible in your strategy. If a particular objective seems too challenging to achieve, you can always draw new objective cards during your turn. Adapting to changing circumstances is essential for success.
- Observe Opponents: Keep an eye on what your opponents are doing. Understanding their objectives can help you anticipate their moves and possibly block them from achieving their goals.
- Plan for Endgame: As the game progresses, consider what you need to secure victory. If you’re close to winning, prioritize objectives that will bring you the necessary points to end the game.