Cacao Board Game – A Guide to Instructions, Rules & How to Win Strategy

Introduction

Cacao is a tile-placement board game that takes you into the exotic world of the “fruit of the gods”. As a tribal chief, your goal is to lead your people to prosperity and glory through the cultivation and trade of cacao. The game was designed by Phil Walker-Harding and first hit the shelves in 2015. It quickly became popular for its easy-to-learn mechanics and strategic depth. I find it an interesting one mainly due to the setting, plus the production mechanics are quite well done.

In Cacao, players use worker tiles to harvest and sell cacao, earn gold, and collect water to sustain their tribe. The game is a mix of strategy and luck, with a vibrant theme that brings the ancient cacao trade to life.

Rules for playing Cacao

Understanding the rules of Cacao is key to enjoying the game. Each player has a set of worker tiles, and the game board is created as you play. You place tiles adjacent to jungle tiles, which provide resources or actions. Here’s a breakdown of the rules:

1. Each player starts with a set of worker tiles and two cacao tiles.
2. On your turn, you must place a worker tile next to a jungle tile on the board.
3. Worker tiles have workers on their edges, and when placed next to jungle tiles, they activate those tiles.
4. Activated jungle tiles can give you cacao, which you can sell for gold, water, sun worship tiles for extra actions, or even temples for end-game points.
5. The game ends when all players have placed all their worker tiles.
6. Points are scored for gold, water, and temple bonuses. The player with the most points wins.

There are more detailed rules about tile placement, market value of cacao, and special tiles, but these are the basics to get you started.

Equipment and Setup for Cacao

To play Cacao, you need the game box, which includes worker tiles for each player, jungle tiles, cacao pods, gold coins, water tokens, and a sun tile for tie-breaking. Setting up the game involves shuffling the jungle tiles and creating a supply, giving each player their worker tiles, and placing the starting jungle tile in the center of the table.

The types of tiles in Cacao are:

• Worker tiles: Used by players to harvest cacao and perform actions.
• Jungle tiles: Provide resources and actions when activated by worker tiles.
• Market tiles: Determine the selling price of cacao.
• Water tiles: Provide water, which is essential for scoring points.
• Temple tiles: Offer end-game points to players with the most presence.

If you don’t have the game, you could potentially create a DIY version with some creativity, but having the official game is recommended for the best experience.

How to Play Cacao and Game Mechanics

The key game mechanics in Cacao involve tile placement, resource management, and strategic planning. Here’s how you play:

1. Setup: Shuffle the jungle tiles and create a face-down stack. Each player gets a set of worker tiles. Place the starting jungle tile in the center of the table.
2. Gameplay: Players take turns placing worker tiles adjacent to jungle tiles, activating them. Collect cacao, sell it for gold, gather water, and earn temple points.
3. End of the Game: Once all worker tiles are placed, the game ends. Players tally their gold, water, and temple points to determine the winner.

Gameplay phases include:

• Tile Placement: Choose and place one of your worker tiles on the board.
• Tile Activation: Activate adjacent jungle tiles based on the number of workers facing them.
• Harvest and Trade: Collect cacao pods and sell them at the market for gold.
• Water Collection: Gain water tokens to score points.
• Scoring: Calculate your points from gold, water, and temples.

How to Win at Cacao

Winning at Cacao involves balancing your actions to maximize your points. Beginners should focus on understanding how different tiles interact and the importance of timing in selling cacao. Intermediate players can start to predict opponents’ moves and control key areas of the board. Advanced players will optimize their tile placement and use sun worship tiles to take extra actions strategically.

Here are some tips:

1. Monitor the market and sell cacao when prices are high.
2. Plan your tile placement to access water and temple tiles.
3. Keep an eye on your opponents’ strategies and adapt accordingly.
4. Use sun worship tiles to gain an advantage at crucial moments.

Remember, the player with the most points from gold, water, and temples wins the game.

Best Strategies for playing Cacao game

To excel at Cacao, you need to develop a strategy that allows you to adapt to the changing board. Here are some strategic plays to aim for:

• Control the market by managing the supply and demand of cacao.
• Secure water sources early to ensure a steady flow of points.
• Focus on temple tiles for a significant end-game point boost.
• Use sun worship tiles to disrupt opponents or secure critical resources.

Sneaky tactics might include blocking opponents from accessing valuable tiles or manipulating the market to devalue their cacao.

Scenarios

Common scenarios in Cacao include being blocked from a resource or facing a market crash. To turn these to your advantage:

• If blocked, pivot your strategy to focus on other resources like water or temples.
• In a market crash, hold onto your cacao until the market recovers or use sun worship tiles to adjust the market value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers:

Q: Can I move my worker tiles once placed?
A: No, once a worker tile is placed, it cannot be moved.

Q: What happens in a tie?
A: The player with the most water wins. If still tied, the sun tile breaks the tie.

Q: Can I sell cacao at any time?
A: You can only sell cacao when you activate a market tile.

Q: How many times can I use a sun worship tile?
A: Each sun worship tile can be used once for an extra action.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of tiles in my hand?
A: You draw tiles up to your hand limit at the end of your turn.

External Links

For more information on Cacao, check out these links:

• Official Cacao Page by Z-Man Games