How To Play: Enchanted Forest

Overview

If you ever wanted to look like a genius in the land of fairy tales (and make your family question if you’re secretly a wizard), then you’ll need more than just a lucky roll in Enchanted Forest. In this guide, I’ll break down How To Play enchanted forest with a quick outline of the rules and share the best tricks and strategies we uncovered after many chaotic game nights.

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 13 Trees
• 13 Treasure tokens
• 6 Playing pieces
• 2 Dice
• 1 Magic wand
• 1 Deck of 13 treasure cards
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Enchanted Forest: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the board on the table and give each player a pawn. My group always fights over the yellow one, which is obviously the best color.
2. Shuffle the tree tokens and place one in each tree space with the picture side hidden. No peeking! Even if the gnome in your group tries.
3. Shuffle the treasure cards and put them face down by the board.
4. Everyone puts their pawn in the village at the start of the path. Ready, set, go!

Gameplay

1. On your turn, roll both dice. You can move your pawn that many total spaces in one or two directions. Split it up however you like! Sometimes I zig-zag just to mess with people.
2. If you land by a tree, sneak a peek at the token. Try to remember it, unlike my buddy Sam who forgets everything except snack time.
3. If you land in the castle, guess which tree hides the current treasure. If you’re right, you keep the card. If not, shhh, don’t tell!
4. After you guess, draw the next treasure card. The hunt goes on!

Winning

1. First player to collect three treasure cards wins the game! My group’s record is one victory dance per card, minimum.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If someone blocks your path, you must take a different route. Prepare for traffic jams!
2. You can combine dice rolls in any direction but never backwards.
3. If you guess wrong at the castle, you must return to the village and try again next turn. Walk of shame, folks.

Now you know How To Play enchanted forest! And trust me, once you play, you’ll never look at trees the same way again.

Best Enchanted Forest Strategies

The Secret Sauce: Moving Smarter, Not Harder in Enchanted Forest

Plan Your Path Like a Pro

If you want to win, you can’t just wander around like a lost wizard. Think ahead about which trees you need to visit and map out the quickest routes. I learned this after circling the same pine three times while my friends snickered.

1. Chart your course before your turn starts.
2. Avoid doubling back.
3. Stick to paths with the most clue trees in range.

Maximize Your Dice Rolls

Rolling high? Sprint to your target! Rolling low? Make those small steps count, maybe snagging a tree on the way. My friend Dave once moved four spaces and snagged two clues—legend.

1. Use exact rolls to land on clue trees.
2. Save big rolls for long stretches.

Don’t Fear the Long Route

Sometimes the long way is safer. If you’re near an opponent, take the risk-free path to avoid bumping into them and losing progress. That way, you keep your lead and keep your friends grumpy.

Sharpen Your Mind: Outsmart Opponents with Memory and Clue Tracking

Remember What You See

When you peek under a tree, make a mental note. Instead of just hoping you’ll recall it later, say it out loud (quietly). My friend Tim once forgot where the Magic Ring was, and the rest of us ran circles around him. Don’t be Tim.

1. Repeat item names to yourself as you move.
2. Create silly stories with item locations in your head.

Track Clues Actively

Write down clues on a scrap of paper if your group allows it. But if not, use your fingers for counting trees or hum a song that reminds you of the spot. Everyone in my group has their own way—mine includes humming badly.

1. Mark clues with fingers, tokens, or songs.
2. Pay attention to trees other players check.

Stay Alert

Finally, focus when people move near trees. Sometimes, folks give away clues by their faces! Watch closely, and you’ll catch those little hints. It’s like poker, but with gnomes.

1. Notice opponents’ reactions.
2. Watch for repeated visits to the same tree.

Outsmart the Competition: Blocking Opponents in Enchanted Forest

Know When to Camp

First, timing your move can mess with your rivals big time. If you park on a key tree, you slow them down and force them to reroute. Be annoying, but not obvious!

1. Watch where everyone heads.
2. Hold your spot until they detour.

Block the Shortcut

Next, use the forest’s tight paths to your advantage. If you land on a spot between two well-used routes, you can trap people behind you and laugh about it—at least, until they gang up on you.

1. Spot the hottest shortcuts on the map.
2. Snag those spaces before your friends do.

Use Decoys and Distraction

Finally, act like you’re going for a tree you don’t want. Because they chase, they’ll waste moves and leave your real target wide open. My friend did this to me and I’m still salty.

1. Pretend to head for different item.
2. Double back when it counts.

Claim Your Crown in the Enchanted Forest!

If you want to win at Enchanted Forest, remember these tips: walk smart, remember where those silly treasures hide, and don’t let your friends stroll by unblocked. I still have nightmares about that time my buddy Dave camped on the castle and ruined my perfect run—don’t be like Dave! Now that you know How To Play enchanted forest and play it well, go out there and snatch that crown. May your dice rolls always be kind and your memory even kinder!

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