Game: Dragonology: The Game

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swuyau — 2008-05-25T10:12:10+00:00

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swuyau — 2008-05-25T09:44:14+00:00

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swuyau — 2008-05-25T09:43:14+00:00

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swuyau — 2008-05-25T09:41:27+00:00

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Thread: Re: Mistake regarding the Marsupial Dragon

Meander — 2008-04-14T02:44:32+00:00

I care. Thanks.

Thread: Mistake regarding the Marsupial Dragon

db-one — 2008-03-03T21:46:06+00:00

After reading a number of the Dragonology books in the past, and then reading through the rules for the game, I thought I might point out a small error on page 7 of the rule booklet (under the rules for the "Swoop" card).

The rules state the flying dragons are the American Amphithere, Cockatrice, European Dragon, Frost Dragon, Gargouille, Marsupial Dragon and the Wyvern. According to the dragonology books however, even though the Marsupial Dragon has small wings, it cannot fly.

I'm not sure whether anyone really cares that much, but if you wanted to truly stick to the theme I'd recommend not including the Marsupial Dragon as one of the dragons that can be used with the Swoop card

Thread: Re: Am I a jerk???

Zordren — 2007-10-02T03:49:19+00:00

mcparsons wrote:
Once, in a game of Citadels, I stole all of my 10 year old daughter's gold one turn, all her cards the next and then her brother assassinated her.

That's HORRIBLE! I thought I was mean - boy, I'm like the fairy godmother compared to you!

Thread: Re: Am I a jerk???

mcparsons — 2007-09-30T19:32:29+00:00

I play with my five kids and have many of these moments. Sometimes I play straight , other times I let them off. Enough for them to learn but not so much that they get frustrated and discouraged. Once, in a game of Citadels, I stole all of my 10 year old daughter's gold one turn, all her cards the next and then her brother assassinated her. She was close to tears but played on gamely and I was proud of her.

Incidentally I don't mind "gang up on the winner" games since it gives the kids a chance to get their revenge.

Thread: Re: Am I a jerk???

GeneSteeler — 2007-06-26T04:52:00+00:00

Can't it be both?

Thread: Am I a jerk???

Zordren — 2007-06-26T00:53:11+00:00

OK, so we (family and friends) have played this game several times since my 9-year old son got it for Christmas in ’06. It’s a pretty good game, but not overly exciting, and not really evocative of a “Session Report” full of climactic moments, glorious victories, etc. HOWEVER, something noteworthy happened this weekend that I would like to share with you…

We’re hanging out at my house for “Geek Night" (as my wife affectionately refers to it). My girls are in bed. There are 3 other adult gamers and my boy, looking for a game to play with him before he goes to bed and before we start in on the “grown up” game (which ended up being “Blood Feud in New York”). We needed something that was relatively short (90 min or less) and that could support 5 players, so my boy chose “Dragonology”.

Normal enough game – running/riding/flying around the globe, collecting “Bits of Knowledge”, snatching other people’s cards, trading cards, etc. Well, at one point in the game, my son is the first to “master” two dragons, and starts heading toward the “Island of the Winged Serpents” (we play a shortened version in the spirit of saving time). One of his dragons is the “Knucker”, and it just so happens I have a “Master Claw” card AND a Knucker knowledge card, and a “Hot Air Balloon”. So, I STOLE IT!!!

Now, right after I did this, I felt kind of bad. I was ready to take my move back and do something else. Then, some sinister, callous, selfish part of me said “WIN, WIN, WIN”, so I let the move stand.

Now, my boy took it in stride – called me ‘mean’, pretended to pout a little, and then got over it. Meanwhile all the other guys are ridiculing and chastising me.

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that it was my boy’s BIRTHDAY?!?!

So, here are the facts:

1) Trying to play a nice kid’s game with my boy and some friends,

2) Stealing my son’s hard-won dragon - and his chance of winning - for my own gain!

3) ON HIS BIRTHDAY!!!

So, am I:

1) A dedicated teacher, resolved to sharpening my son’s intellect and steel his nerves (in preparation for War of the Ring, Axis & Allies, Blood Feud in NY, etc); or

2) A big, fat, selfish, unfeeling, ogre JERK?

P.S. – Despite stealing the Knucker, I was unable to win! I took this second dragon and made a dash for The Island of the Winged Serpents, but was “swooped” back to Africa by another player! Before I could make up for the lost time, someone else had earned the title “Master Dragonologist”!

Thread: Re: Fixable?

firewizard — 2007-04-30T14:27:19+00:00

Got this as an xmas gift. The board and components are great but the game play... slow and roll'n'move overload.

What I'ld really like to do (whenever I get time - i.e. never) is completely rewrite the rules using the components plus perhaps some extra pieces (blocks/money/other cards).

I'ld certainly be interested in others ideas for fixing this game.

It has made be interested in reading the books however so I guess they succeeded there.

Thread: Re: Fixable?

She-Wolf — 2007-04-27T06:48:40+00:00

This really is a pretty game, but I've been resisting the urge to buy it, and for the very reasons you brought up.

Thread: Fixable?

muppaphone — 2007-04-27T05:57:22+00:00

Saw this in Target tonight and figured it was a roll and move thing, but the bits looked nice and it has that set-collecting element. It seems as though there should be a fix for this game, something easy. Instead of the die, would each player having a little hand of movement cards (like Ave Caesar) make any difference?

Or how about rolling two (or three) dice (instead of the included 12) and doing the movement backgammon style. Make it a two to three player game where a player can move each hunter or move one for the total. Would this work? Would it make it better? Maybe a backgammon injection is what this needs.

Would that strategy element make it worth buying?

Thread: Re: Faster Play Variant

GeminiWeb — 2007-03-30T01:07:23+00:00

If we want a faster game, we only require the collection of two dragons before proceeding to the dragon's eye.

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Krisjohn — 2007-03-23T08:51:50+00:00

Dragonology: Five of nine dragons

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Krisjohn — 2007-03-23T08:51:19+00:00

Dragonology: Four of nine dragons

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Krisjohn — 2007-03-23T08:50:36+00:00

Dragonology: All the Dragonologists

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Krisjohn — 2007-03-23T08:49:47+00:00

Dragonology: Showing how the board's six panels unfold.

Thread: Re: Why I think it's a bit more just a role and move ...

Krisjohn — 2007-03-22T23:21:34+00:00

> Why I think it's a bit more just a role and move ...

Well, at the very least it's also "Set Collecting". Is there a way to get extra game mechanics added to the listing?

Thread: Re: 4yr old plans 3 step combo to stab me! How great is that!

GeminiWeb — 2007-03-06T04:18:17+00:00

There are many, many better games to play with a six-year old than this one, in my opinion.

Noting that it's important to us that we play games that the 4 yr old can also play, the 4 yr old and 6 yr old also play (for example):
- Ticket to Ride
- Ticket-Ride Europe
- Ticket to Ride Marklin (without passengers)
- Carcassonne (with Inns & Cathedrals)

... but they also enjoy Dragonology. After all, the theme is pretty cool for them (travelling the world collecting dragons) and doesn't feel particularly abstracted ... and if they like it, that's good enough for me (although I'm not quite as enthusiastic if a strictly roll & move game gets chosen!).

It has also given me an excuse to starting reading them the Hobbit (graphic novel) ... they they are loving.

Cheers,
Bill

Thread: Re: 4yr old plans 3 step combo to stab me! How great is tha

engelstein — 2007-03-06T03:21:59+00:00

There are many, many better games to play with a six-year old than this one, in my opinion. Diamante, for example. This game is way too long and too frustrating for what it is.

Geoff

Thread: Re: 4yr old plans 3 step combo to stab me! How great is that!

Shijuro — 2007-03-05T22:50:03+00:00

Thanks for posting this.

I was thinking about getting this (75% off at Borders) to play with my 6 year old, but of course no one at the store could tell me anything about it. It sounds playable by my children, and I can only hope they play half as well as yours.

Thread: Faster Play Variant

wtrollkin2000 — 2007-03-05T22:43:29+00:00

When moving players have the option of using less than the number of points rolled on the die (makes it easier to get a card every turn)

Thread: 4yr old plans 3 step combo to stab me! How great is that!

GeminiWeb — 2007-03-05T22:04:46+00:00

Okay. Just in case people don;t know the game (likely), I'll explain a bit.

(Playing = me, wife, 6 yr old, 4 yr old)

I had just mastered a 'European Dragon'. This involved collecting a set of 3 'European Dragon' cards, and then going to the homeland of the European Dragon to claim the dragon. (Winning the game requires mastering 3 dragons and going to the mystical dragon eye).

Great I thought.

As it happens, my 4 yr old had the 'Master Claw' card which allows you to steal someone else's mastered dragon (if you have at least one 'European Dragon' card ... which he did). I didn't know this as all cards are only seen by the perosn who has the cards.

Now, instead of rolling the (12-sided) die, you can use a limited number of transportation tickets instead (also only seen by owner).

- Next turn, 4 yr old uses a camel to go across Greenland to the port city on the coast opposite England. (As chance would have it, this was where I was at the time).

- Following turn, 4 yr old uses a steam boat to sail across to England (home fo the 'European Dragon'

- Then, upon arriving in England, he immeidately played his Master Claw to steal the 'European Dragion' from me.

How good is that! I couldn't be more proud!

Thread: Re: Why I think it's a bit more just a role and move ...

GeminiWeb — 2007-01-22T21:27:48+00:00

(5) The game prompts thinking like ...

To avoid being ganged up on when I get my 3rd dragon, I should make sure I first have an air ticket so I can immediately travel to the Island of the Winged Serpent (after which who cannot be attacked and are immune to spells). Ideally I should also have a 'Deja Vu' so I can this immediately upon gaining the 3rd dragon.

Thread: Why I think it's a bit more just a role and move ...

GeminiWeb — 2007-01-22T02:00:15+00:00

For those who haven't seen it or read the reviews, a general concern has been a lack of tactical or strategic depth ... which is fine for kids.

My two eldest sons (6 and 4) like playing this, and I enjoy playing it too. It does have lots of luck (roll and move, which cards are picked up, etc) but it also has nice openings to the greater world of boardgames.

Here's some examples ...

(1) You can trade with other players (although you forfeit your turn if it comes off). You do this to get your sets of dragon cards (Bits of Knowledge).

(2) My boys count out all the move options and decide which one is best ... but they also use the ticket cards to to speed up their movement, especially when they have their set of a type of dragon and need to get to its homeland to master it - a quick ballon flight or camel ride and the need to wait for the right number is gone.

Have your 3 sets of dragons and about to make the arduous trip to the island of the Winged Serpent? Use an airplane! No? How about a locomotive to the nearby port and catchy a series of steam boats there?

Thus, we do have planning ahead and knowing when to use these ticket resources.

(3) After the 1st game, I loved hearing by son try to think of various strategies for using the Spells & Charms and working our whihc ones he liked. Last game he used a hypnotism (ask a perosn for a card which they have to give to you if they have it) to ask for a card that the otehr person started with (used to work out their starting location).

(4) They enjoy it (like Carcasonne and and the Ticket to Ride series) and their friends do to ... so they are well placed for the future!

Thread: Re: Dragonology: First Impressons

Ian Sturrock — 2007-01-01T03:40:24+00:00

My son got this as a late Yule present. He's 6, and after one play of this with me & my wife, he was complaining that it's far more boring than Reiner Knizia's LotR game, or even the Hobbit: Defeat of Smaug game, or LotR Risk, or Settlers, or Cartagena, all of which he enjoys... and he's a BIG dragon (and Dragonology) fan. My wife & I agreed.

There are a couple of tweaks that could make it slightly less rubbish. After a bit of thought, and mid-game testing (as otherwise it seemed it was going to go on forever, with incredibly pointless, literally dead-end turns), my conclusion was that this was the way to sort it out:

1) Separate the Bit of Knowledge cards into "Bits of Knowledge" (all the Dragon stuff, and the Wild cards) and "Spells and Charms" decks. You get to draw from the standard BoKs usually, only getting S&Cs as mentioned below.

2) Dump the d12 with the lovely "Dragon's Eye" in place of the 12. Instead (borrowing from the Hobbit/Smaug game), roll 2d6 and take either die, or add both together, to get your number. Doubles are special:

3) Odds doubles (double 1, 3, or 5) are the same as getting a "Dragon's Eye." Move anywhere.

4) Evens doubles (double 2, 4, or 6), draw a Spell or Charm card, and throw again.

5) Each time you master a dragon, draw a Spell or Charm card.

That lot should (a) speed it up somewhat and (b) make things slightly more tactical by removing almost all the "this is bloody useless" moves.

Thread: Good Family Game, Very Attractive Components

Zordren — 2006-12-28T21:11:04+00:00

Well, St Nick brought a nice little game for our 8-yr old this Christmas (at least, I'm pretty sure it was for him, and not for me...), so of course we had to play it ASAP, and the day after Christmas we got our chance.

As with most of my previous reviews (there haven't been that many...) I feel the need to "defend" a game that's been, IMHO, judged a little too harshly. I won't go into much detail on mechanics, rules, components, etc, since previous reviews have done a good job of this. What I'd like to do is focus on why my family and I liked the game.

(NOTE: review based off one play with wife & son)

Like the subject line says, this is a GOOD game, but not really an excellent game. You're not going to find any mechanics or educational aspects of the game that are going to blow you away. It is simply a roll-and-move, luck-based affair in which players are in a race to travel the globe and collect "bits" of dragon information, and the dragons themselves, in order to become the Supreme Dragonology Master (or some such auspicious title).

So, what's good about it? Well, the theme is well represented (I found myself interested enough to read the bits of dragon lore on the cards), and the board, cards, box and figurines are very well done. The designers certainly put a decent amount of thought into making the components interesting, durable, and attractive. The rules are pretty simple, and there are some interesting spell/dragon power cards which players can obtain that add a little flavor to the game. Although this game won't teach young/new gamers a whole lot about resource management, military strategy, analytical decision making, etc (big things if you're looking to "groom" your younger offspring for heavier gaming fare), there are some good opportunities to get some world geography lessons in.

What's not so great? Well, the dragonologist figures (the pieces that actually represent the players), while brightly colored, well sculpted, and sturdy, are really lame. As previously mentioned, there are not many decisions to be made, as the game is straightforward and largely luck-based. There were a couple of potential vague elements in the rules (i.e. What exactly constitutes a continent? Is the UK connected to France? Do you reshuffle the deck if necessary?), but nothing that can't be resolved by just coming to a consensus, and nothing that warrants an FAQ or even a post on BBG. The game could take a while (1.5-2 hours), especially with 4 or more and/or younger players, and I think the game might get difficult to accomplish with more than 4 players, since there are limited bits of dragon lore that each player must search for.

So, why did we like it so much? Well, my boy liked it because 1) he's really into the Dragonology books, and 2) he enjoys "simpler" board games (we're not quite ready for Risk, Talisman, etc yet). My wife liked it because 1) there wasn't a lot of down time between player turns, 2) the rules were simple, 3) the game was very attractive, 4) there was enough variety and choices to keep her from being bored. I liked it because 1) come on, it's DRAGONS!, 2) very good components, 3) the spell cards were a nice element to spice up the game, and offer a good (although light) opportunity to teach younger players a little bit about "cutthroat" gameplay.

I think we'll get a lot of play out of this game, and that it ranks up there with some of my other favorite child-friendly titles (Lemony Snicket Perilous Parlor Game; The Hobbit: Defeat of the Evil Dragon Smaug; A Dog's Life; Battleball; Magdar; and a few others). Target age range is probably 7-12. I think it would be a great game to play at family gatherings or after school with the kids. It's not a "childish" game, so adults should have no problem getting into it along with the kids. Like I said, it's not the greatest game in history, but if I want something easy to play, I'd rather break out this game than Monopoly, UNO, Sorry, Life, or some other "milktoast" title. I think it was well worth the $20-$25 Santa spent on it...

Thanks for reading, and I hope this review helps!

Thread: Re: Dragonology: First Impressons

David_Ireland — 2006-12-27T15:43:08+00:00

Thank you for your lightening fast responce.

You've just earned me some major brownie points with my lad !

EDIT:

After a minor miracle (and a bed room tidy) we have found the instructions.

Again thanks for your help. Its really appreciated.

Thread: Re: Dragonology: First Impressons

kimbo — 2006-12-27T15:19:54+00:00

I can make a scan of the rules for you but it will be a couple of days before I can get it done. (Holiday week, you know...) If no one else is able to step up to the plate and give you a hand sooner, please PM (private message) me a reminder and I can have the rules for you sometime this weekend at the latest.

Sorry I can't get it done sooner...

Thread: Re: Dragonology: First Impressons

David_Ireland — 2006-12-27T15:07:54+00:00

Hi,

I need help.

My son got this game for Christmas, however the instructions seem to have either been "misplaced" or were never in the box to begin with (his excuse )

Is there anyone that can send me a link to where I can download then or if someone could be kind enough to scan them in and email ... I (and my son) would be very gratful.

Thanks

Dave & Ben

Thread: Re: Dragonology: First Impressons

reapersaurus — 2006-10-26T05:28:36+00:00

Great review (deep enough for a game of this type, it seems), kimbo!

Thanks for saving us the $$ - maybe we can catch you someday and play your copy.

Thread: Re: Dragonology: First Impressons

Sinister Dexter — 2006-10-23T21:51:55+00:00

Thanks for the review, Kim. My son loves the book. When I saw this available at B&N, I was curious about it, too. Once again, a BGG member comes through with excellent information and commentary that will save me time and money!

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Boomer — 2006-10-06T14:06:13+00:00

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tbraut — 2006-09-18T23:14:36+00:00

Box cover

Thread: Brief Dragonology review

paulidale — 2006-08-15T03:54:20+00:00

A friend of ours gave this game to our dragon mad children because well because of the dragons. Our children have read most of the Dragonology books and they were very keen to play the game. The components are good on the whole. The board is pretty nice, the nine dragon figures are very nice, the six dragonologist figures are less so. There are also two piles of cards: tickets being small rectangles and knowledge cards kind of non-square shaped.

The object of the game is to collect three dragons and then get to a "winning" location. Nice and easy and suitable for pre-teen children. The box sayes 2-6 players. I'd recommend playing with 3 or 4 players since somebody will be able to get the requisite three dragons. This simply isn't likely with 6 players.

The mechanic of the game is roll the dice, move, maybe collect a card. Instead of rolling, you can play a ticket and, depending on the type of ticket you player, move either across land, across sea or anywhere except the "winning" location. One face of the die lets you go to any dragon "home" location (see next paragraph).

To collect a dragon, you need three bits of knowledge (knowledge cards) about that dragon and you have to be at the dragon's home location. Each dragon has five bits of knowledge plus there are some wild cards. We quickly worked out that tickets are the best used to get to these specific locations (no roll being required). Use them elsewhere if you've a surplus.

The only other effect of real note is the knowledge cards (all 2 of them) which let you steal a dragon from another player provided you are at the dragon's "home" and that you have a knowledge card about the dragon you are trying to steal (not a wild). Of course, there are plenty of other knowledge cards that can be played but them seemed relatively pointless, randomizing or both.

All in all an okay game for dragon loving children but it is hard to recommend for more mature gamers.

Thread: Re: Dragonology: First Impressons

robcannonsoftware — 2006-08-14T15:16:47+00:00

Well, I am sad that the game is so random.

I showed the pictures of the game from GenCon to my dragon loving son and I am pretty much committed to getting it now. I've got to find something better that I can convince him is a better choice!

Thread: Dragonology: First Impressons

kimbo — 2006-08-14T00:47:50+00:00

Walking through the bookstore, I spied something new on the game racks: Dragonology: The Game. A game about dragons? How cool is that?

Opening up the flyleaf cover, I see the game contains some pre-painted miniature figures: dorky looking "Dragonologists" and pretty cool looking Dragons. I'm pretty sure the Grandkids will like this too... "Yes Dear, I bought the game for the Grandkids!"

Just looking at the board on the box, I get the impression this will be a "roll and move" kind of game. That's too bad... but what can you expect off the rack at a bookstore?

After a little more hemming and hawing, I finally decide to buy the game. It's a game about Dragons, how bad can it be?

Get the game home, open the box, take some pictures for the 'Geek. Next step, read the rules...

The object of the game is to become the first player to "Master Three Dragons." To master a dragon a player has to collect three of five "Bits of Dragon Lore" information and then land by exact count on the home space of the Dragon in question. When that's done, the player takes the Dragon off the board and the game continues. When one player has "Mastered" three Dragons, he must move to the Dragon's Eye somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Upon arrival at the Dragon's Eye (by exact count) the player wins the game.

Not surprisingly the core mechanic is "roll and move". Instead of rolling the die a player can use a "Transportation Ticket" to move. There are three types of Transportation Tickets: Air, Land and Sea. An Air ticket will let you move to any space on the board. A Land ticket will let you move to any space on the continent your player piece is on, and a Sea ticket will let you move between ports. If you don't use a transportation ticket, you roll the die and move the number indicated across land or sea. If you land on certain spaces (cities, dragons or other marked spaces) you draw a Dragon Lore card or a Transportation card as indicated on the space.

The Card deck consists of the "Bits of Information" each player is attempting to collect. For each of Nine Dragons, there are five "bits of information." Three "bits of information" are needed to "Master the Dragon." The remaining cards in the Dragon Lore deck are "Special Cards." These cards can be used for a variety of purposes, most having to do with stealing cards (and possibly Mastered Dragons) from other players. There are also a some "Shield" cards that act to counter other cards and some "Wild" cards that can be used to substitute for one of the three required "bits of information."

In addition to all of that, if one player lands on the same space as another player, the active player can challenge the other player. In a challange, the challenging player determines how many cards (of either type) will be at risk. The challenger cannot challange for more cards than he has. The challenged player must accept the challenge. The two players then resolve the challenge by playing one round of "Flame, Tooth, Claw" (Rock, Paper, Scissors) and the winner takes the cards.

After a player has "Mastered" Three Dragons, he moves to the Island of Winged Serpents in the Pacific Ocean by any of the normal movement methods. If moving by die roll, the count must be exact. If the player rolls more than is needed to land on the island, the player does not move and loses his turn. Once the player arrives on the Island of Winged Serpents he is immune from further card play and player challenges. From there he attempts to reach the Dragon's Eye. Movement to Dragon's Eye is by die roll only and must be by exact count. If the player rolls more than the number needed to reach the Dragon's Eye, he does not move and loses his turn. The first player to Master Three Dragons and arrive at The Dragon's Eye wins the game.

Final thoughts: It is disappointing that the game is a simple "roll and move" game. The playing pieces are pretty and add to the theme. Non-gaming fans of the book will probably enjoy the game, as will younger children (the game is rated 8+). Experienced gamers will lose interest shortly after seeing it is a "roll and move" game. Luck will dominate the game but players who like "take that" games will have some fun as they manage to foil other player's attempts to win the game. In the end the game will be good for a play or two, I think, and then it will be relegated to the back of the shelf or the trade pile, soon to become just one more piece in a Dragon fan's collection of Dragon themed paraphernalia.