La Granja Board Game: A Comprehensive Guide

Euro-Style / By
La Granja Board Game

The La Granja Board Game transports you to the charming village of Esporles in Majorca, where you’ll compete as farmers to build the most prosperous estate. With a blend of strategy, resource management, and tactical decisions, this game offers a rich and engaging experience for 1-4 players.

La Granja stands out as a game that beautifully combines various elements of gameplay, creating an experience that is both challenging and engaging.

Ready to cultivate your farm and outwit your rivals? Let’s dive into the details!

Player ratings:

0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
Excellent0%
Very good0%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

Table of Contents

La Granja Game Components

The appeal of La Granja lies in its balance of complexity and playability, making it a favorite among board game enthusiasts. Players are drawn into a world of farming, but soon discover that succeeding in La Granja requires more than just agricultural know-how.

It’s a game of adaptability, where players must continuously strategize according to the changing dynamics brought forth by dice rolls and card draws.

La Granja comes with an array of components that collectively enhance the gaming experience. The box contains:

  • 1 game board: The heart of the game, illustrating the village of Esporles and surrounding areas.
  • 4 player tableaus: Each representing an individual farm.
  • 66 farm cards: These cards are central to gameplay, offering various options for farm expansion and resource generation.
  • 9 revenue dice: Crucial for the Revenue Phase, these dice determine the resources and actions available to players.
  • 100 player markers: Used for tracking resources and progress on the farms.
  • 4 wooden discs: These represent the players on the board.
  • 16 donkey markers: Essential for the Transportation Phase, indicating the number of deliveries a player can make.
  • 38 silver “coins”: The currency of the game, used for various transactions.
  • 66 victory point markers: Used to track players’ progress toward winning the game.
  • 4 game order markers, 24 roof markers, and 24 craft markers: These assist in tracking game progress and player actions.
  • 3 building order markers and 4 play cards: Additional components that add layers to the gameplay.
  • 2 rules booklets and 2 glossaries: Providing clear instructions and helpful references for players.

Objective of the Game

The main objective in La Granja is to expand your farm and deliver goods to the village, earning victory points over six game rounds. There are two primary ways to accumulate these points:

  1. Supplying Craft Buildings: When a player fully supplies a craft building in the village, they receive victory points and a craft marker, which grants a bonus for the remainder of the game.
  2. Completing Market Barrows: Players can also earn points by fully supplying a market barrow on their farm. This action not only garners victory points but also a trade commodity.

An essential aspect of La Granja is observing the actions of other players. By doing so, you can effectively manipulate the turn order and adapt to the dice and cards’ variances.

The player with the most victory points at the end claims the esteemed title of La Granja for their estate, symbolizing their strategic prowess and efficient management skills.

Game Setup

Setting up La Granja involves several steps to ensure a smooth start to the game:

  1. Place the Game Board: Position the game board centrally so all players have easy access.
  2. Distribute Player Components: Each player selects a player board (farm) and receives 25 player markers in their color, one set of donkey markers, one victory point, and 1 silver. Additionally, each player places a marker on the trade commodity space of their farm.
  3. Prepare the Farm Cards: Shuffle all 66 farm cards and deal four to each player. The rest form a draw deck.
  4. Organize the Roof Markers: Sort and stack these by game round number on the board. Remove excess markers if playing with less than four players.
  5. Place Craft Markers and Victory Points: Set these near their respective craft buildings on the game board.
  6. Determine Start Player: Randomly choose the start player who receives turn order marker 1, followed by others in clockwise order.

This setup forms the foundation for an engaging game of strategy and skill, leading players into the nuanced world of La Granja.

La Granja Game Play

La Granja unfolds over six engaging rounds, each comprising four distinct phases: Farm Phase, Revenue Phase, Transportation Phase, and Scoring Phase.

Players must carefully navigate through each phase, optimizing their actions and resources to gain an edge over competitors. Unlike many board games, La Granja does not feature a game round track.

Instead, players can use the backs of the roof markers and the empty spaces they leave to keep track of the current round. This unique approach emphasizes the game’s focus on strategic thinking and planning ahead.

Detailed Breakdown of Game Phases

  1. Farm Phase:
    • Each player may play one farm card and draw new ones, using the cards as fields, market barrows, farm extensions, or special helpers.
    • Players take income from the pool, which can be silver, harvest goods, pigs, or trade commodities.
    • New harvest goods grow on fields, and pigs produce offspring, increasing resources on the farm.
    • Players have the opportunity to purchase roof markers, which provide special one-time benefits and are crucial for strategic advancement.
  2. Revenue Phase:
    • The start player rolls revenue dice, determining the resources and actions available for this phase.
    • Players then choose dice in turn order, placing them on their farms and performing the respective actions. The remaining die’s action is performed by all players.
    • This phase is critical for resource acquisition and can significantly impact a player’s strategy.
  3. Transportation Phase:
    • Players select one of their available donkey markers, determining the number of deliveries they can make.
    • They advance on the Siesta Track, which can affect turn order and provide victory points.
    • Deliveries are carried out to either craft buildings in the village or to market barrows on the player’s farm. This is where players can start to see their strategic planning bear fruit.
    • Players can also purchase and conduct extra deliveries, further expanding their reach and influence in the village.
  4. Scoring Phase:
    • Players return used helpers to their pool and perform end-of-round scoring.
    • Victory points are awarded based on positions in the market and on the Siesta Track.
    • This phase consolidates the achievements of the round and sets the stage for the next round.

End-Game Scoring and Winning Conditions

After six rounds, La Granja reaches its climax with the final scoring:

  • Players convert their player markers on the farm into silver, considering the normal sales and conversion prices.
  • Silver is then exchanged for victory points at a rate of 5:1.
  • The player with the most victory points is declared the winner. In case of a tie, the player with the most remaining silver among the tied players wins. If the tie persists, the victory is shared.

Strategies and Tips for Winning

  • Resource Management: Efficiently managing your farm’s resources is key. Balance between growing your resources and using them for expansion and deliveries.
  • Strategic Use of Cards: Each farm card can be used in multiple ways. Choose the best use based on your current needs and long-term strategy.
  • Optimizing Deliveries: Focus on completing deliveries that offer the most immediate and future benefits. Prioritize supplying craft buildings and market barrows efficiently.
  • Adapting to Game Dynamics: Stay flexible and ready to alter your strategy based on the actions of other players and the outcomes of dice rolls.

Have you played Puerto Rico? Just like La Granja, it’s set on a hot Island but you take on the role of a Colonial Governor rather than a Farmer!

FAQs Section

How important is it to manage the roof markers effectively in La Granja?

Very important. Roof markers provide special benefits that can significantly impact your game strategy.

Can I sell my harvest goods at any time?

No, harvest goods cannot be sold directly from fields. They must be processed or used in deliveries.

Is it better to focus on one type of delivery over another?

It depends on your strategy and the game’s progression. Both types of deliveries – to craft buildings and market barrows – are important for scoring victory points.

What’s a common mistake to avoid for players new to La Granja?

Not planning ahead for the later phases of the game. La Granja requires foresight and strategic planning from the outset.

Rate the La Granja Board Game

Have you played La Granja? Submit your review below and help people find a game they’ll love.

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Scroll to Top