Myrmes: A Guide to Rules, Instructions & Winning Strategy

Introduction

Myrmes is a board game that takes you into the world of ants. In this game, players manage an ant colony, competing to expand their territory, gather resources, and complete objectives. The game was designed by Yoann Levet and first published in 2012. I appreciate it for its strategic depth and the way it captures the theme of ant colonies, which are endlessly fascinating natural biomes to me.

In this game, you’ll be balancing resource management, worker placement, and timing to succeed. The game is set over the course of three years, with each year divided into seasons that dictate the actions players can take. Myrmes has won praise for its challenging gameplay and the way it makes you think like an ant queen, planning for both the immediate future and long-term survival of your colony.

Rules for playing Myrmes

Understanding the rules of Myrmes is key to enjoying the game. The game is played over three years, and each year has four seasons. In spring, players plan their actions by selecting tasks. Summer is when most actions happen, like gathering food or digging tunnels. Autumn is for additional actions and preparing for winter. During winter, ants rest, and players feed their colony and score points.

Each player has a personal board representing their ant colony. This board is where you manage your workers, nurses, and soldiers. You also have a shared board that represents the field above ground. Here, you can claim territory, hunt, and gather resources.

Players use action points to perform tasks. These points are limited, so you must choose your actions wisely. You can dig new tunnels, forage for food, birth new ants, or work on objectives that score points.

Combat is not a focus in Myrmes, but there are soldier ants used to control predators that can affect your colony. The game ends after the third winter, and the player with the most points wins.

Equipment and Setup for Myrmes

To play Myrmes, you need the game box which includes a main board, individual colony boards, various tiles, and pieces representing ants, resources, and pheromones. If you don’t have the game, some elements can be DIY-ed, but it’s a complex game, so having the official components is best.

Setup involves placing the main board in the center of the table, giving each player a colony board, and preparing the supply of tiles and pieces. The types of tiles include earth tiles for tunneling, pheromone tiles for marking territory, and objective tiles for scoring points.

How to Play Myrmes and Game Mechanics

Myrmes is played in turns, with each turn representing a season. Here’s a quick rundown of the game phases:

1. Spring: Players choose actions for the upcoming turn.
2. Summer: Players carry out actions like gathering resources or expanding their colony.
3. Autumn: Additional actions and preparation for winter.
4. Winter: Feeding the colony and scoring points.

Key game mechanics include worker placement, where you assign ants to tasks, and resource management, where you ensure you have enough food and materials to survive and expand.

How to Win at Myrmes

To win at Myrmes, you need a mix of short-term tactics and long-term strategy. Beginners should focus on understanding how the seasons affect gameplay and how to manage their colony’s resources effectively. Intermediate players can start to plan their moves in advance, anticipating other players’ actions. Advanced players will need to optimize every action, balance their colony’s growth with objective completion, and adapt quickly to changing game conditions.

Best Strategies for playing Myrmes game

One of the best strategies for playing Myrmes involves careful planning and resource management. I recommend that you focus on a balanced approach to the three main tasks: foraging, breeding, and building.

Efficient use of pheromone trails is critical; by expanding your territory thoughtfully, you can access diverse resources necessary for completing objectives. Prioritizing the right upgrades early on, such as increasing your worker ant count or improving your soldiers, can provide a significant advantage. Adapting to the seasons and planning actions accordingly is also key—ensure you have enough food to feed your ants during winter and enough larvae to grow your workforce when spring arrives.

Moreover, keeping an eye on your opponents’ strategies and potentially blocking their paths or objectives can disrupt their plans. Always be flexible and ready to pivot your strategy based on the changing game dynamics and the random events that may occur, optimizing your actions to secure the most victory points by the game’s end.

Here are a few key strategies, in brief that I recommend:

• Efficient use of workers and nurses to expand your colony and gather resources.
• Strategic placement of pheromone tiles to control territory and resources.
• Completing objectives that align with your growth strategy.
• Adapting to other players’ actions and the changing game board.

Sneaky tactics might include blocking other players’ expansion routes or timing your actions to take advantage of their moves.

Scenarios

Common scenarios in Myrmes include being blocked by other players, running low on resources, or facing a tough choice between expanding your colony and completing objectives. To turn these scenarios to your advantage, be flexible in your strategy, keep an eye on your opponents, and always have a backup plan.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Myrmes

1. Q: How long does a game of Myrmes typically last?
   A: A game can last between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the game.
2. Q: Can I change my strategy mid-game?
   A: Yes, but it’s best to have a flexible plan from the start.
3. Q: Is Myrmes suitable for children?
   A: Due to its complexity, Myrmes is better suited for older children and adults.
4. Q: How important is combat in Myrmes?
   A: Combat is not a primary focus, but managing predators is a part of the game.
5. Q: Can I play Myrmes with two players?
   A: Yes, Myrmes can be played with 2 to 4 players.

Related Subtopics

Other aspects of Myrmes that are important include understanding the role of the queen ant, the impact of weather on gameplay, and the importance of larvae in growing your colony. Each of these elements adds depth to the game and requires careful consideration.

External Links

For more information on Myrmes, check out the publisher’s website or look for video tutorials that can help explain the game in more detail.

Myrmes Official Rulebook [EN/PDF]