Kodama (2nd Edition) Board Game Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

Kodama: The Tree Spirits is a strategic board game where players act as caretakers of the forest, growing trees to provide a healthy home for the Kodama (tree spirits). Players place branch cards to extend their trees, aiming to create specific arrangements that satisfy the needs of various Kodama spirits. The game is designed for 2 to 5 players, suitable for ages 14 and up, and typically plays in about 20 minutes.

The objective is to score the most points by growing the most appealing trees for the Kodama over three seasons. Careful planning and spatial arrangement are key to success.

2. Components

The Kodama (2nd Edition) Board Game includes the following components:

• 65 Branch Cards: Used to extend your tree.
• 23 Kodama Cards: Award points based on tree features at the end of each season.
• 15 Decree Cards: Modify rules for each season.
• Score Track and Tokens: For keeping score.
• 9 Sprouts (Beginner-Friendly Objective Cards): Simplified objectives for new players.
• Instruction Manual: This guide.

Image: Front of the Kodama (2nd Edition) game box. This image displays the game's title, artwork featuring tree spirits, and the brand logos for Indie Boards & Cards and Action Phase Games.

Image: Back of the Kodama (2nd Edition) game box. This image provides an overview of the game, including a visual representation of a growing tree, a list of game contents, and key features like player count and playing time.

3. Setup

1. Prepare the Score Track: Place the score track board in the center of the playing area. Each player chooses a scoring token and places it on the '0' space of the score track.
2. Deal Trunk Cards: Each player receives a starting Trunk card. This card forms the base of their tree.
3. Shuffle Branch Cards: Shuffle the 65 Branch cards and place them face down to form the draw pile.
4. Prepare Kodama Cards: Shuffle the 23 Kodama cards and deal 4 to each player. Players keep these cards secret. Place the remaining Kodama cards back in the box.
5. Prepare Decree Cards: Shuffle the 15 Decree cards and draw 3. Place these face up next to the score track, one for each season (Spring, Summer, Fall).
6. Sprouts Cards (Optional for Beginners): If using Sprouts cards, deal 3 to each player in addition to their Kodama cards. Players choose to use either Kodama cards or Sprouts cards for scoring each season, but not both.
7. First Player: Determine the first player by any agreed-upon method.

Image: Kodama board game in play. This image illustrates a typical game setup with various cards laid out, demonstrating how players build their trees and manage their hand of cards.

4. Gameplay

The game is played over three seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Each season consists of four rounds. In each round, players will draw and play Branch cards to grow their trees.

4.1. Player Turn

1. Draw Branch Cards: At the start of each round, reveal a number of Branch cards equal to the number of players plus one.
2. Choose and Play a Branch Card: Starting with the first player and proceeding clockwise, each player chooses one of the revealed Branch cards and adds it to their tree. Branch cards must be placed so that at least one branch connects to an existing branch or the Trunk card. You cannot cover existing features.
3. Score Points: After placing a Branch card, score points for all features (e.g., flowers, mushrooms, fireflies) on the newly placed card that are connected in a continuous path back to the Trunk card. Each unique feature type in the path scores 1 point per instance. The maximum points a single Branch card can score is 10.
4. Apply Decree: During each season, a specific Decree card is active, introducing a special rule or scoring modification for that season.

4.2. End of Season

After four rounds, a season ends. Each player chooses one Kodama card (or Sprouts card, if applicable) from their hand and reveals it. Players then score additional points based on the conditions specified on their chosen Kodama card and the features of their tree. Discard the chosen Kodama card. The remaining Kodama cards are kept for subsequent seasons.

4.3. End of Game

After the Fall season (three seasons total), the game ends. Players tally their total scores. The player with the highest score wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most features on their tree wins.

5. Strategy Tips

• Plan Ahead: Consider not only the immediate points from a Branch card but also how it positions you for future placements and Kodama card scoring.
• Observe Opponents: Pay attention to what features your opponents are collecting and which Kodama cards they might be aiming for. This can influence your card choices.
• Balance Immediate vs. Long-Term: Sometimes a lower-scoring Branch card now can set up a much higher-scoring Kodama card later.
• Utilize Decrees: Adapt your strategy each season to take advantage of the active Decree card.
• Diversify Features: While some Kodama cards reward specific features, having a variety can give you more flexibility.

6. Troubleshooting

• Missing Components: If any components are missing upon opening the game, please contact the manufacturer, Indie Boards and Cards, for assistance.
• Rule Clarification: For any ambiguities in the rules, refer to the official rulebook included in the box. Online forums and communities dedicated to board games can also be helpful resources.
• Scoring Disputes: Ensure all players understand the scoring rules for Branch cards and Kodama cards. Review examples in the rulebook if needed.

7. Specifications

8. Warranty and Support

This product comes with No Warranty from the manufacturer as per the product specifications. For any product-related inquiries, missing parts, or support, please contact Indie Boards and Cards directly through their official website or customer service channels.