by MisterG
Greetings from the scattered subsistence farms of online America! This neck-and-necker finished up about a month ago, and took less than a month to complete, which ain't too shabby for a turn-based non-live bout. If I recall correctly, it was a 10/7 draft, but I could be wrong. Feel free to check; I'm exhausted from all the formatting. Ah, well, enough intro; let's see how things unwound...Round One/Sheep
Norse – Occ/Pieceworker
Bryon – 3W(3)
Geoff – 1R(1)
Norse – PF
Bryon – RM(1S)
Geoff – SP + Lasso (-1R)
Norse opens with one of the more disdained Ocks in the game, despite which* he will flog it mercilessly. Bryon draws wood, I spike the reed, and Norse plows.** Bryon nabs a rock—making his next gambit pretty apparent—and I swipe the button, uncoiling a favorite Minor. Hey, ho, let's go!
*Or perhaps because of.
**I'm actually surprised he doesn't hit up the DL.
Current Status
Bryon – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 3f, 3W/1S
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 3f, 1 MnImp
Norse – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 2f, 1 PF, 1 Ock
Round Two/Grain Utilization
Geoff – 1C(2)
Norse – 2W(4+1) -1f
Bryon – SP + Axe (-1W/1S)
Geoff – 1C(2)
Norse – Occ(-1f)/Greengrocer
Bryon – 3W(3)
Lured by the early woollies, I hustle clay. Norse burns off his larder on spare wood and another Ock. Bryon gets the Axe* in play and reloads lumber. Despite first dibs on a food engine, I'm not really feeling much in the way of thunder.
*Rechristened as some oddball parlor in the Revised edition for some equally oddball reason.
Current Status
Bryon – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 3f, 5W, 1 MnImp
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 3f, 4C, 1 MnImp
Norse – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 0f, 5W, 1 PF, 2 Ock
Round Three/MIMI
Bryon – 1R(2)
Geoff – MIMI/Fp2 (-2C) + Sheep(3)burn2
Norse – Fish(3f)
Bryon – Occ/Net Fisherman
Norse – 1G + 1G + 1V -1f
Bryon claims the reed, I build a fireplace* and savage the Shauns, while Norse empties the pond. Bryon puts out a now utterly defanged Ock, and Norse puts both of his to task. Bryon stands as the only player capable of growth.
*In game's-end retrospect, I likely should have just gone ahead and picked up a hearth; this would have saved me food down the line.
Current Status
Bryon – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 3f, 5W/2R, 1 Ock, 1 MnImp
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 7f, 2C, 1sh, 1 MjImp/1 MnImp
Norse – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 2f, 5W, 2G/1V, 1 PF, 2 Ock
Round Four/Fences
Bryon – 3W(6)
Geoff – 2W(4)
Norse – 1C(2+1) -1f
Bryon – DL(2f)
Geoff – SP + Wooden Strongbox (-1W)
Norse – MIMI/Fp3 (-3C)
The struggle intensifies as Bryon boosts cheap lumber and tops off his larder, I swipe the remaining wood and the button, and Norse grabs the distaff fireplace, burning off his veggie and a grain at harvest. Bryon remains in the driver's seat of growth.
Current Status
Bryon – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 1f, 11W/2R, 1 Ock, 1 MnImp
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 3f, 3W/2C, 1sh, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Norse – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 0f, 5W, 1G, 1 PF, 2 Ock, 1 MjImp
Round Five/Stone
Geoff – 1R(2)
Norse – Occ(-1G)/Traveling Salesman
Bryon – BR(1) + 3s (-8W/2R)
Geoff – Sheep(2)burn2
Norse – SP + Fp3>CH4
Bryon – 1C(3)
I snag precious reed and top off my larder, Norse pops an Ock he'll use all of once to regain the button while upgrading his cookery, and Bryon calmly puts up a room and breeding stables, gathering clay for his own eventual cookery.
Current Status
Bryon – 3Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 1f, 3W/3C, 3s, 1 Ock, 1 MnImp
Geoff – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 7f, 3W/2C/2R, 1sh, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Norse – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 0f, 5W, 1 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp
Round Six/Family Growth + MI
Norse – 3W(6)
Bryon – MIMI/Fp3 (-3C)
Geoff – 2W(4)
Norse – 1G + 1V
Bryon – FG + Clay Roof
Geoff – BR(1) + x (-5W/2R)
Growth pops. Norse does the obvious, then flogs his Greengrocer again. Bryon picks up his cookery and hires on with a Minor that will prove quite useful later. I desperately haul timber and knock out a room.
Current Status
Bryon – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 1f, 3W, 3s, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/1 MnImp
Geoff – 3Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 7f, 2W/2C, 1sh, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Norse – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 0f, 11W, 1G/1V, 1 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp
Round Seven/Renovation + MIMI
Norse – (b1v) 1R(2+1) -1f
Bryon – Sheep(2)
Geoff – 1S(3)
Norse – Fish(4f)
Bryon – 3W(3)
Geoff – FG + x
Bryon – DL(2f)
Norse burns off a veggie to stock up on reed, Bryon corrals doomed woollies, and I stock rocks.* Norse tops off his pantry, Bryon doubles up on lumber, I grow, and Bryon scrounges. His sheep die at harvest-time. The midgame beckons.
*It's exceedingly tempting to hit fishing just to mess with Norse, but I don't need the food; the stone is far more valuable.
Current Status
Bryon – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 1f, 6W, 3s, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/1 MnImp
Geoff – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 2f, 2W/2C/3S, 1sh, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Norse – 2Wood Rooms, 2 Peeps, 2f, 11W/3R, 1G, 1 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp
Round Eight/Boar
Norse – BR(1) + 2s (-9W/2R)
Bryon – MIMI/Fp2>CH5
Geoff – 2W(4)
Norse – FG + Fish Trap (-1W)
Bryon – 1C(4)
Geoff – Occ/Wood Deliveryman (6W> )
Bryon – SP + Flagon (-1C)
Geoff – 1C(3)
Norse knocks out a room, breeding stables, and a bambino with a now-mediocre Minor.* Meanwhile, Bryon upgrades his cookery**, reloads clay, and swipes the button. I pile up resources, including a downstream 6Wood courtesy of my first Ock of the game.
*He'll essentially end up reversing one of his Pieceworker swaps. Woo-hoo!
**An eventual net 4food
Current Status
Bryon – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 1f, 6W/3C, 3s, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Geoff – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 2f, 6W/5C/3S, 1sh, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Norse – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 2f, 1W/1R, 1G, 2s, 1 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/1 MnImp
Round Nine/Vegetables Geoff - 1W
Bryon – 3W(6)
Geoff – 1R(2) + Boar(2)burn1/1sh
Norse – Sheep(2)
Bryon – 1V
Geoff – Ren>C + Well (5f> -1W/3C/1R/3S) +1f (1f>n/4f>b )
Norse – SP + Beehive (6f> )
Bryon – BR(1) + x (-2W/2C)
Norse – 1G + 1G + 1V -1f
Brian forces himself to double up on lumber; I promptly hustle reed and flambe animals. Norse offers the woollies safe haven, Brian snags a pumpkin, and I forgo expansion* in favor of upgrading my hut and securing the Well, triggering Bryon's timely Flagon. Norse retakes the initiative to get out a tasty Minor, Bryon hacks out another room, and Norse flogs his lead Ocks, one to no effect.** He and Bryon burn off a veggie, and Norse sloughs the grain he just bought.
*Possibly a great mistake, since I've left the door open to Bryon.
**I trust Constant Reader sees why.
Current Status
Bryon – 4Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 2f, 10W/1C, 3s, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Geoff – 3Clay Rooms, 3 Peeps, 1f, 6W/2C/2R, 1b, 1 Ock, 2 MjImp/2 MnImp
Norse – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 1f, 1W/1R, 2G, 3sh, 2s, 1 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Round Ten/Stone Geoff – 1W/1f Norse – 2f
Norse – 1S(3+1) -1f
Bryon – FG + x
Geoff – Occ(-1f)/Clay Hut Builder (8C> )
Norse – 1G + 1G + 1V -1f
Bryon – 2W(4)
Geoff – SP + Turnwrest Plow (-3W)
Norse – Fish(3+1f)
Bryon – PF
Geoff – 1C(2)
Norse claims the bargain rocks, flogs his main Ocks yet again, and restocks his pantry. Bryon hires on*, hogs wood, and plows just to irk me. I knock the bottom out of the clay market, swipe the button to activate my plow, and glom more clay.** The action count stands at Bryon – 24, Geoff – 23, Norse – 22; it's going to be a close one.
*Prematurely, but it makes no real difference.
**A near-useless move; I'd have profited more in picking pumpkins.
Current Status
Bryon – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 2f, 14W/1C, 3s, 1 PF, 1 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Geoff – 3Clay Rooms, 3 Peeps, 1f, 4W/4C/2R, 1b, 2 Ock, 2 MjImp/3 MnImp
Norse – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 5f, 1W/1R/4S, 4G/1V, 3sh, 2s, 1 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Round Eleven/Cattle Geoff – 1W/2C/1f
Geoff – 3W(6) + Boar(2)burn2
Norse – SP + Brewery (-2S/2G)
Bryon – Occ(-1f)/Market Woman
Geoff – 1R(2)
Norse – 1C(3+1) -1f
Bryon – 1V + 2G
Norse – 1G + 1G + 1V -1f
Bryon – GU (1Vf + 6f -2G)
Bryon – Sheep(2)
I almost feel forced as I glom the cheap lumber, roast pork, and subsequently snag vital reed. Meanwhile, Norse reclaims the button to nail down a few points,* scoops clay, and tag-teams his Ocks a fourth time. Bryon pops an Ock that'll ultimately translate into a 12food and a grain, puts it to task, and corrals a few sheep. He cooks off a veggie at harvest; Norse brews a grain and roasts a woolly. The end game rears its ugly head.
*Not to mention first crack at possible “free” growth.
Current Status
Bryon – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 2f, 14W/1C, 3sh, 3s, 1 PF(1v), 2 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Geoff – 3Clay Rooms, 3 Peeps, 0f, 11W/6C/4R, 1b, 2 Ock, 2 MjImp/3 MnImp
Norse – 3Wood Rooms, 3 Peeps, 2f, 1W/4C/1R/2S, 3G/2V, 3sh, 2s, 1 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/3 MnImp
Round Twelve/FG w/o Geoff – 1W/2C/1f Norse – 2f
Norse – FG w/o
Bryon – 2W(4)
Geoff – BR(1) + x (-5C/2R) + Cattle(2)burn2
Norse – PF
Bryon – Fences(15) (-15W)
Geoff – FG + Clay Path (-3C)
Norse – 1S(3+1) -1f
Bryon – 1R(1) *(2f)
Bryon – 1V + 2G
Norse dutifully snaps up the cheap hire, plows, and snags discount rocks, and as I scramble desperately for points and actions, Bryon calmly vacuums up lumber, fences, and sets himself up for the final Rounds, disdaining the seemingly ordained button heist.*
*Most likely he lacks a playable Minor, and yet...
Current Status
Bryon – 4Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 4f, 3W/1C/1R, 2G/1V, 3sh, 3s, 1 PF(1v), 1[2x3]2[1x1]p, 2 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Geoff – 4Clay Rooms, 4 Peeps, 7f, 12W/2R, 1b, 2 Ock, 2 MjImp/4 MnImp
Norse – 3Wood Rooms, 4 Peeps, 3f, 1W/4C/1R/6S, 3G/2V, 3sh, 2s, 2 PF, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/3 MnImp
Round Thirteen/Cultivation Geoff – 1W/2C/1f
Norse – FG w/o
Bryon – Cu(PF + 1Vf)
Geoff – 1S(3)
Norse – 3W(6+1) -1f
Bryon – Boar(2)
Geoff – PF + 2PF
Norse – GU (2Gf + 3f-1G)
Bryon – BR(1) + x (-2W/1C/1R)
Geoff – 1S(1)
Norse – Ren>C + Stone Oven (-4C/1R/3S)
Bryon – FG + x
Geoff – Cattle(1)burn1
Norse jumps the obvious 3-pointer, Bryon co-opts farming, and despite the lure of potential stables, I secure the bargain granite.* Norse, of course, stocks up the cordage, Bryon herds piggies, and I plow while the plowin's good. Norse farms,** Bryon puts up yet another room, and I top off renovation materials. Norse upgrades, claiming a final Major, Bryon takes his last worker,*** and I likely err by roasting the lone steer.**** At harvest, Norse brews up another grain and enjoys regenerative lamb, while Bryon burns off a sheep/veggie combo. Final moves are imminent.
*They're equivalent points, but I deem the rocks an easier conversion.
**Anyone notice the slight miscue he makes?
***Yep, no playable Minor...
****Anyone see why?
Current Status
Bryon – 5Wood Rooms, 5 Peeps, 0f, 1W, 2G/1V, 3sh/3b, 3s, 2 PF(1v), 1[2x3]2[1x1]p 2 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Geoff – 4Clay Rooms, 4 Peeps, 3f, 13W/2C/2R/4S, 1b, 3 PF, 2 Ock, 2 MjImp/4 MnImp
Norse – 3Clay Rooms, 5 Peeps, 1f, 8W/3S, 1G/2V, 3sh, 2s, 2 PF(4g), 3 Ock, 2 MjImp/3 MnImp
Round Fourteen/Renovation + Fences Geoff – 1W/2C/1f Norse – 2f
Norse – Cu (PF + 1Vf)
Bryon – 1V + 2G
Geoff – Ren>S + Fences(14) (-14W/1R/4S) + Sheep(3)burn3
Norse – 1G + 1G + 1V -1f
Bryon – GU (1Gf + 6f -2G)
Geoff – Occ(-1f)/Mason (BR(1)) + Cattle(1)
Norse – PF
Bryon – 1C(4)
Norse – Fences(8) (-8W)
Bryon – 1C(3)
Norse – MIMI/Stone Oven >Bakehouse (5f -3S/1G)
Bryon – Ren>C + x (-6C)
The games final moves are fairly predictable; there's no significant blocking as each player does what he can to maximize scoring. Norse cooks off spare woollies, whilst Bryon sloughs a grain and a regenerative piggy to satisfy harvest requirements. Add 'em up!
Current Status
Bryon – 5Clay Rooms, 5 Peeps, 0f, 1W/1C, 1G/3V, 4sh/3b, 3s, 2 PF(2g), 1[2x3]2[1x1]p 2 Ock, 1 MjImp/2 MnImp
Geoff – 5Stone Rooms, 4 Peeps, 1f, 4C, 1b/1c, 3 PF, 2[2x1]p, 3 Ock, 2 MjImp/4 MnImp
Norse – 3Clay Rooms, 5 Peeps, 0f, 4G/3V, 1sh, 2s, 4 PF(2g/1v), 1[2x2]p, 3 Ock, 1 MjImp/4 MnImp
Final Score (Ocks Played, Minors/Majors Played)(Wood taken/bonus)(Rounds as SP)(Total Primary(Special) Actions)(PPA*)(Food Spent)
Primary Actions are those first taken when a player claims a space with a family member. In sessions of Farmers on the Moor, special actions are counted as Primary actions, with their subtotal indicated in parentheses. * - Points per Primary Action.
Bryon – 36 (2 Occ, 2/1)(29/9)(3)(41)(0.878)(44)
Norse – 35 (3 Occ, 4/1)(16/2)(8)(37)(0.946)(53)
Geoff – 35 (3 Occ, 4/2)(18/6)(3)(37)(0.946)(39)
Player Fields Pastures Grain Veg Sheep Boar Cattle Unused Stables House Peeps Pts Bonus
Bryon 2(1) 3(3) 3(1) 3(3) 4(2) 3(2) 0(-1) 0(0) 3(3) 5C(5) 5(15) (2) (0)
Norse 4(3) 1(1) 6(3) 4(4) 1(1) 0(-1) 0(-1) 2(-2) 0(0) 3C(3) 5(15) (9) (0)
Geoff 3(2) 3(3) 0(-1) 0(-1) 0(-1) 1(1) 1(1) 1(-1) 0(0) 5S(10) 4(12) (6) (4)
Final board state: http://www.boiteajeux.net/jeux/agr/partie.php?id=3007971
Bits & Pieces
Norse used Pieceworker a remarkable dozen times, with every bit of extra goods utilized one way or another! Outstanding! Naysayers, of course, will note that he still only ended up with a moderate score. A lot of that food went into wheel-spinning. Sit down and be quiet, naysayers! A tie for second is a tie for second. Bryon's Ocks were a seeming wash: his initial play of Net Fisherman produced a mere 2food eleven Rounds later, while Market Woman essentially generated a utile 5Grain. His only Minor with an Ock requisite was Clay Roof. His Axe, on the other hand, appears to have been the key to victory, especially once combined with Clay Roof. Well done, if even with a four action advantage, he squeaked out such a narrow win! A win is a win is a win, regardless. Note the preponderance of scoring comprised of dwelling/peeps/cards, from Bryon's 61% to my 91%. Note also that Bryon put the least number of cards into play. Would a veggie draw at the end of Round 10 won me the game? Hmm...As always, thanks for reading, and I hope something was gained. All transcription errors and typos are on me; you're welcome! Happy gaming to all!