"Original rules" variation

[StvenC]

When we first learned Elfenland, now many years ago, we had an early edition where the rules were different about getting new cards in between rounds. Instead of "refilling" one's hand back up to 8 cards (which is now considered the standard rule), our rulebook told us that each player was simply dealt 8 new cards in addition to any saved, up to a maximum hand size of 12.

Is there any chance those "original rules" for Elfenland could be made available on BoardGameArena as a variation? We find the decisions about whether to hold a card over for the subsequent round much more interesting this way.

Thanks!

[diamant]

Is there any chance those "original rules" for Elfenland could be made available on BoardGameArena as a variation?

I downloaded two French rules for Elfenland with version 1.0 and 3.0 numbers, and in these two rules each player’s hand is completed with 8 cards.
Can you provide a link to an earlier rule, with the "original rule" that you want implemented?

[wizztick]

I've got the physical game in Dutch and it does say to deal 8 cards having a maximum of 12 in the hand. The rules linked from the site to the online rules (Dutch) also describe it this way. Page 11 at https://www.gebruikershandleiding.com/9 ... 74908.html
To quote:

Hij deelt aan alle spelers acht nieuwe reiskaarten uit. De spelers hebben van de vorige beurt tussen de nul en de vier kaarten over. Aldus hebben ze de volgende beurt acht tot twaalf reiskaarten.

Translated into English:

He distributes eight new travel cards to all players. The players have between zero and four cards from the previous turn. Thus they have eight to twelve travel cards the next turn.

Maybe the original rules are different in the french version? I would appreciate if the game could have this ruleset. It changes the game dynamics quite a bit.

[wizztick]

I raised this as a bug at https://boardgamearena.com/bug?id=21852

[RogueGal]

I was so disappointed to try Elfenland here and find that one of my favorite games isn't set up to be able to use the original rules. Without the ability to save 4 cards and get 8 more each turn, the game becomes way too random with much too little ability to control your fate.

Here's the translation of the original rules by the game designer, Alan R. Moon.
http://www.gamecabinet.com/rules/Elfenland.html

[jamespao]

Yes, this game definitely needs the original rules option (which is to keep up to 4 cards, then get dealt an ADDITIONAL 8 cards at the start of each subsequent turn). Right now, without that feature, the game is way too random. You aren't able to have enough cards to do enough movements to really impact the game. It's not a very good game the way it is set up right now, with the modified Amigo rules.

[Guereza]

I agree the new rule makes no sense. There should be an old rule variation.

[ufm]

Amigo has the license of Elfenland and their rulebooks clearly state 'Each player receives more Travel Cards until he holds 8'.
So, this is essentially a house rule rejected by the publisher: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/381364/hand-management
And BGA does not implement house rules, unless they are approved by the publisher.

I've got the physical game in Dutch and it does say to deal 8 cards having a maximum of 12 in the hand. The rules linked from the site to the online rules (Dutch) also describe it this way.

You should ask the Dutch publisher.