Sheep Hustler: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Set Collection, Hand Management
Player Age: 6+
Player Count: 2 - 6 Players
Time to Play: 15 - 45 Minutes
Game Designer: James Hitchings
Game Artists: Sam Turner
Disclaimer: A preview copy for the game was provided by the publisher.
The Game:
Disclaimer: A preview copy for the game was provided by the publisher.
The Game:
Objective:
Oh no! The sheep keep escaping their pens and causing mischief, what is a good sheepdog to do? Well, it can herd these troublesome sheep into a pen. Now that's bound to help the farmer out. For sheep hustler, this is your objective. You're going to make a pen for sheep numbered one to four in either the same, alternate or mixed colours. However, if you can't achieve this then you’re going to aim for sheep of the same number. Although don’t forget, those pesky sheep will wander away again if not contained by two wooden fences.Setup:
Each player is dealt four cards, this will be their hand (now known as their flock). Each player is also dealt two cards face up in front of them which will be known as the paddock, where all six of these cards will be used to create a pen.Card Anatomy:
Sheep:This game has six different colours for sheep. Within each colour there are four of the same sheep which are valued 1-4.
Sheep Dog:
There are 12 sheepdogs in the deck. These can be used to steal sheep from your fellow sheep hustlers, more on this in the how to play.
Two of these fences are needed to contain your newly hustled sheep.
Special Cards:
There are four special cards in the deck and there are only one of each kind so use them wisely. These come as the wolf, metal fence, shaggy sheepdog and the sheep hustler.
The Wolf:
Other players must discard a sheep card from their flock and then draw a replacement card from the deck.
Other players must discard a wooden fence from their paddock and then draw a replacement card.
Shaggy Sheep Dog:
After playing this card and drawing a replacement, each player will pass one card from their flock to a player on their right/left based on your choice.
Sheep Hustler:
By playing the sheep hustler you will be able to look at one players flock and take one card. The hustled player will then draw a replacement.
How to Play:
This game is very easy to learn. You will do one of three actions on your turn; discard from your flock or paddock, play a sheepdog, or play a special card.Discard Cards from your Paddock/Flock:
On your turn you can discard any number of cards from either your paddock or your flock (not both) then redraw. If you discard a wooden fence in this way then you can reshuffle the discard pile into the draw deck before drawing.Play a Special Card:
As outlined in the card anatomy any special card can be played from your flock to perform their effect.Play a Sheep Dog:
The sheepdog is played from your flock but can do one of four actions; round up another flock, round up another paddock, round up from the discard pile, and block another sheepdog.Round up Another Flock:
Now it's time to use your guessing skills. Ask another player for a wooden fence or a sheep (based on its colour or number but not both). If that player has that card, they must pass it over and draw a replacement. If they don't have the card then you will draw a replacement.
Round up Another Paddock:
Choose a single card from a players paddock and place that card in your flock. The other player will now draw a replacement.
Round up from the Discard Pile:
Choose a single sheep from the discard pile to draw into your flock.
Blocking a Sheep Dog:
The sheep dogs can really mess with your plans so you may want to use your sheep dog to simply block the other players sheepdog (this is done during an opponents turn).
Now you may be asking when you can swap cards between the paddock and flock. Well that's easy; anytime. Just not as a response to a card an opponent plays.
End of Turn:
You may be asking how to win by now. Well, there are four winning pens that will lead you to victory; single colour pen, alternate colour pen, mix up pen, and a matching number pen. Each pen consists of four sheep and two wooden fences.Single Colour Pen:
The sheep will consist of the same colour numbered from one to four.
Alternate Colour Pen:
The sheep consist of two alternating colours numbered from one to four.
The sheep are of four different colours numbered from one to four.
Matching Number Pattern:
The sheep are of all different colours and consist of the same number.
Once you have completed a pen, at the end of your turn a victory sheep meeple/ cube is given and the game is re-dealt until a certain amount of meeples have been gained based on how long you want to play. For example first to three or until all the meeples are won.
Variant:
If this game is looking too easy for you, then there is an advanced mode you can try. Remove the ‘round up from the discard pile’ ability from the sheepdog, and remove the ‘matching number’ and ‘mix up’ from the available pens.Final Thoughts:
Pros:- Great for young gamers, and the variant allows for casual play with older players
- Great player range of 2-6 - Colour blind friendly and language independent
Cons:
- Should know that this is a light family game before starting
After reading the rules you would have gathered that Sheep Hustler is a light weight/casual game but this isn't a bad thing. It is a great game for kids or as casual play for adults used as a palette cleanser between larger games or while something is occurring in the background. If you are looking for a great and fun casual hand management game with the delight of set collection, then let me HERD you to the kickstarter below.
Click...feed the addiction:
Sheep Hustler on KickstarterSheep Hustler on BGG
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