How To Play: Element

This guide covers the essentials for winning at Element. It includes understanding and mastering the Element tiles, tactical blocking of opponents, and wisely conserving your resources. Key strategies involve knowing tile abilities, strategic placement, and adaptation. Mastery comes with practice and a deep understanding of the game's dynamics.
Element - Element, Rather Dashing Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Hey everyone, Jamie here with some hot tips on winning at Element! If you’re like me and my crew on game night, you’ll want every advantage to claim victory. This guide not only walks you through the game rules (because we all know that one friend who ‘forgets’ them) but also dives deep with strategies to keep you ahead. Ready to become an Element master? Let’s get to it!

Overview

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 4 Sages (1 per element color)
  • 120 Element Stones (30 per element – Earth, Water, Fire, Air)
  • 1 Cloth Bag
  • 4 Reference Cards
  • 1 Rulebook

How To Play Element: Rules Summary

Setup

  1. Place the game board in the center of the table.
  2. Each player selects a sage and places it on any outer space of the board.
  3. Shuffle the element stones in the cloth bag.
  4. Draw and place four element stones per player around the board.

Gameplay

  1. Players take turns drawing stones from the bag.
  2. On your turn, use the stones to encircle opponents’ sages or protect your own.
  3. Move your sage if necessary, but only if there’s no other option.
  4. Strategically place your stones, considering the unique powers of each element.

Winning

  1. The goal is to trap your opponents’ sages using the stones while keeping your sage free.
  2. A player wins when all opponents’ sages are trapped and cannot move.

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. Water stones flow around the pieces, not trapping them immediately.
  2. Fire stones spread across the board, potentially trapping multiple sages.
  3. Earth stones block movement, creating barriers.
  4. Air stones allow players to jump over obstacles, escaping traps.
  5. In case of a draw, the player with the most free surrounding space wins.

This guide should give you a clear starting point for your adventures in Element. Remember, mastering the game requires both strategic thinking and flexibility. Happy gaming!

Best Element Strategies

The Secret Sauce: Mastering Element Tiles for Victory


Know Your Tiles

First off, get chummy with your tiles. Each one packs a unique punch – Fire, Water, Earth, Air. Remember, fire burns, water flows, earth blocks, and air lifts. Simple, right?

Strategic Placement

Next, placing these bad boys is like a game of chess. Think two steps ahead. Fire cuts off escape, water traps, earth fortifies your position, and air messes up enemy plans.

Combo Moves

Last, combo time. Fire and earth? They’ll sweat. Water and air? They’re stuck. Get creative!

By knowing your tiles, planning placements, and mixing combos, you’ll not just play; you’ll outplay.

Master the Art of Tactical Blocking in Element

Understanding Your Opponent

First, watch your foe’s moves like a hawk. Notice their strategy early on. This knowledge lets you predict and block their next steps effectively.

Strategic Tile Placement

  1. Place tiles to corner your opponent, limiting their movement options.
  2. Use water tiles to slow them down, fire to block paths, and earth to build barriers.
  3. Remember, the aim is to make their next move as hard as possible.

Conserving Your Tiles

Don’t waste your tiles. Every move should aim to disrupt your opponent’s plans or fortify your position. If you run out of tiles too early, you’ll be at their mercy.

Adapt and Overcome

Finally, be flexible. Sometimes you have to change your strategy mid-game. If your opponent catches on to your tactics, be ready to switch gears and surprise them with a new approach.

The Art of Resource Conservation in Board Games

Winning isn’t just about attacking; it’s also about smart saving. Let me tell you, nothing beats the look on your friends’ faces when you pull out a game-winning move because you saved up just right. So, how do you keep those resources tucked away for the perfect moment?

Know Your Endgame

First off, always have your goal in mind. If you don’t know what you’re saving for, you’ll either hoard too much or spend too soon.

Timing is Everything

Next, timing. Watching the game and knowing when to spend big or save is key. This one time, I waited out, seemingly on the brink of defeat, only to come back and win because I knew the right moment to use my stash.

Predict Your Opponents’ Moves

Last, think ahead. If you can guess what your friends are up to, you can save the right stuff to counter them. It’s like chess but with more laughing and less quiet thinking.

  1. Always plan your moves with the end in sight.
  2. Keep a close eye on the game’s flow to find the perfect timing to act.
  3. Try to predict your opponents’ strategies and save accordingly.

## Master the Elements, Become the Sage!

Wrapping up our journey through Element, remember the key to triumph lies not just in knowing the rules but in mastering the How To Play element through strategy, wit, and a dash of luck. We’ve dived deep into understanding each tile’s power, blocking opponents like a chess master, and conserving our resources like the world depends on it. These tips, tried and tested during many game nights with friends, have transformed me from a novice to a sage contender. Element is a game that keeps on giving, with each match teaching us something new about the game and about ourselves. So gather your friends, set the board, and remember: in the realm of Element, only those who think ahead, adapt swiftly, and play wisely can claim victory. Ready to become a true sage? Let the elements guide you to your rightful place at the winner’s table!

Want to know what we think of Element? Read our detailed review of Element here

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.