Branches & Twigs & Thorns
| Branches & Twigs & Thorns | ||
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Plotkin | ||
| Players build branching tree structures from a root, trying to always branch from their own pieces, not their opponent's. | ||
| Players: | 2 - 4 | |
| Length: | unknown | |
| Complexity: | Medium | |
| Trios per color: | 5 | |
| Number of colors: | 1 per player | |
| - - - - - - Other equipment - - - - - - | ||
| Chessboard, two pairs of markers | ||
| Setup time: | 1 minute | |
| Strategy depth: | Medium | |
| Random chance: | None | |
| Theme: | Horticulture | |
| BGG Link: | Branches and Twigs and Thorns | |
| Status: Complete (v1.0), Year released: 2002 | ||
Summary
Branches & Twigs & Thorns (AKA BTT and formerly known as Barsoomite Go) is Andrew Plotkin's refined version of Martian Go, tweaked to produce fewer tied games and a bit less of a first-mover advantage.
Materials
- Board (exact layout of the board depends on number of players -- see your specific player count below)
- 15 pyramids in a Stash for each player, each in a distinct color
- Small tokens to represent the root (must fit on a chessboard square)
- Small tokens to represent the null (must fit on a chessboard square)
- Coins, etc. be used as points, at least five coins per player.
Rules
In general, players take turns placing their pyramids lying down on the squares of a chessboard until the board is full. Points are distributed based on what direction their pyramids point. The game begins differently enough with different playcounts that it's best to split the rules up by that factor. These rules are written so that someone with no prior experience with Martian Go can learn this game.
2-Player Game
Board needed: an 8×4 grid, or a chessboard with half the squares covered up.
3-Player Game
Board needed: Three triangular wedges of Eeyore's chessboard wedges. The overall board is triangular. Cerulean observes that a 7 x 7 square board is also good for three players, with two nulls and two roots.
4-Player Game
Board needed: a chessboard or 8×8 grid.
5-Player Game
Board needed: Five triangular sections Eeyore's of chessboard wedges. The overall board shaped like a PacMan.
6-Player Game
Board needed: Six triangular sections of Eeyore's chessboard wedges. The overall board is hexagonal.
Instead of automatically occupying the center of the chessboard, the root is placed wherever the non-first player wishes (or the second pair of players in a 4-player game). The first player (and the second, in 4-player) places a "null" to which no one may point. Also, scoring is a bit funnier: not only does the player who placed lose points equal to the size of the target of the placement, but the owner of the target gains points equal to the size of the hapless pointer. (This is all tracked with tokens.)
BTT was published in Hypothermia #15.
Additional Languages
Branches & Twigs & Thorns (Polish)
External Links
- Branches & Twigs & Thorns is listed on BoardGameGeek.
- Official Rules site: http://www.eblong.com/zarf/barsoom-go.html
- This game can be played online at Super Duper Games.