How To Play: TROLL

Overview

Let me guess—you got crushed in your first round of Troll and now you want revenge? I’ve been there (I’m still finding glitter in my shoes). In this guide, I’ll show you How To Play troll, give you an easy outline of the rules, and spill my best strategies for actually winning the game. Trust me, your friends won’t know what hit them.

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 56 Resource Tokens
• 4 Troll Miniatures
• 12 Trap Cards
• 60 Action Cards
• 4 Player Reference Cards
• 1 Rulebook
• 24 Gold Coins
• 8 Dice

How To Play TROLL: Rules Summary

Game Setup

1. Place the main game board in the center. Make sure everyone can reach it, even your mate who sits waaaay too far.

2. Each player picks a troll figure. Try not to fight over the ugliest one. You’re all beautiful trolls here.

3. Shuffle and deal three resource cards to each player. Hide them, unless you want a fast loss.

4. Set the resource piles, event deck, and shiny rock tokens beside the board. These will vanish faster than snacks if you’re not watching.

5. Pick the newest player to go first. If you’re all new, pick the person with the scariest troll face.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw a card from the event deck. Read it out loud—even if you have to do a troll voice.

2. Collect resources from the pile if the event says so. Now you can hoard them, like a true troll.

3. You may trade resources with other players. Begging is not only allowed, it’s encouraged.

4. Build or upgrade your troll den by spending cards. Upgrades get you closer to victory and make your den look slightly less like a pile of socks.

5. End your turn by moving your troll figure. Try not to knock over the board like last time, Dave.

Winning

1. The first player to upgrade their troll den to level 5 wins. That’s it. Glory, fame, and bragging rights are yours!

2. If two trolls finish at the same time, the one with the most shiny rocks breaks the tie.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If someone draws the “Troll Rampage” event, everyone must swap resource cards with their left neighbor. Things get wild. No crying.

2. If you catch someone cheating, yell “TROLL!” They must skip their next turn and wear the silly troll hat—if you have one.

3. If the event deck runs out, shuffle the discard pile to make a new deck. Trolls never run out of trouble.

Now you know how to play troll, you’re ready to unleash your inner chaos. May your den be big and your rocks be shiny!

Best TROLL Strategies

Master the Mind: Outsmart Everyone at Troll

Spot Their Tells

Keep your eyes peeled for players fidgeting or grinning. I once caught Dave tapping his fingers before every big bluff. You’ll soon learn who wears their nerves on their sleeves!

1. Watch body language closely.
2. Listen for nervous laughter or silence.

Disguise Your Moves

Act casual even if your heart’s doing parkour. How To Play troll: Try chatting about pizza while you plot. You might confuse everyone!

1. Change up your actions every round.
2. Use harmless chatter as cover.

Read the Table

Look for patterns. After a few rounds, you’ll spot who’s bold and who’s cautious. My friend Lisa always hesitates, so I use that to my advantage.

1. Notice when players hesitate.
2. Track risky or safe choices.

Mastering Your Troll Resources: How To Play Troll Like a Pro

Stockpiling Isn’t Just for Squirrels

I used to grab every shiny stone I saw, but my troll friends laughed when I ran out too early. Instead, time your resource grabs. Here’s what I learned:

1. Only gather when you need it—hoarding can backfire fast.
2. Spend resources before someone trolls you and steals them.

Watch What Others Collect

If you see Doug going heavy on gold, pivot! Change your plan to block him. My last win came from switching just in time.

1. Keep an eye on rivals’ piles.
2. Deny key resources when possible.

Upgrading Wisely

Don’t buy every upgrade—focus on what boosts your main troll skill. I once wasted everything on hats for style… and lost badly!

1. Choose upgrades that fit your sneaky troll style.
2. Save for powerful moves instead of small spends.

Seize the Right Moment: Timing Your Big Moves in Troll

Wait for the Perfect Chaos

I never rush my big play in Troll. Instead, I wait until the table erupts with confusion. Only then do I strike! Everyone is distracted, and my move often goes unnoticed.

1. Watch for rival distractions.
2. Hold back until critical turns.

Plan Ahead, but Stay Flexible

Once, I planned a perfect move, but another player threw a wrench in it. However, I switched gears and snatched victory anyway. Always adjust based on others’ actions.

1. Always have a back-up plan.
2. Adapt to sudden shifts.

Chain Your Moves for Maximum Impact

For How To Play troll, stringing together two sneaky plays guarantees extra chaos. If you can pull off a combo, do it right when nobody expects.

1. Pair actions for surprise attacks.
2. Use combos only when timing feels right.

Master the Troll, Rule the Table!

Alright, friends, that’s the last of my half-baked wisdom from probably too many hours playing Troll. When it comes to winning, just remember: bluff like your grandma’s watching, hoard your goods like a hungry raccoon, and drop those big plays when your mates least expect it. Most of all, have fun! Troll never goes how you plan, but that’s what makes it wild. Now you know How To Play troll—go steal victory (and maybe a biscuit) at your next game night!

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