Our step-by-step guide to the rules of how to play Block Ness board game. This is a very simple spatial recognition and area control game with a fun theme that is playable for the whole family. Games are super quick because you make one move and the game keeps going. It is a quickfire battle for who can grow their loch ness monster and eke out the most space. The game is for 2 – 4 players at ages 8+. The rules for how to play Block Ness are some of the simplest out there.
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HOW TO PLAY BLOCK NESS – WHAT IS IT?
The Block Ness Monsters are finally rearing their heads but there’s just one problem – this loch isn’t big enough for everyone! Be as strategic as you can to win the title of Monster of the Year and the privilege of having your monster photographed by tourists from time to time!
The object of the game is to place as many segments as possible on your monster to make it longer before you run out of space.
HOW TO PLAY BLOCK NESS – STEP BY STEP
Time Needed: Approximately 15 – 20 minutes.
This is a step by step guide for how to play Block Ness the spatial recognition and control board game. Additional notions and special rules can be found below the list. These will be referenced for your convenience.
1. SETUP | Put Out Game Board
To kick off how to play Block Ness remove the Loch board from the box and place it in the center of the table onto the cardboard insert from the box. The rings on the board indicate play area based on the number of players you have (2 players only uses the center, while 4 uses the whole thing.
2. SETUP | Give Out Player Pieces
Each player picks one color of monster to play and places the 12 parts that make up its body in front of them. This is the reserve pile.
3. SETUP | Find Starter Piece
Each player takes the starter body segment from their reserve. This should be the segment that is lowest in height.
4. SETUP | Determine Order & Place Pieces
The youngest player starts. They place their starting segment wherever they wish within the dark blue area in the center of the loch where the water is deepest. Other players, in clockwise order, do the same.
5. SETUP | Add Head & Tail To Monster
The first player attaches their monster’s head and tail to their starter segment. The head and tail are always placed on the two ends of the monster. You need to adjust this every time you add a new segment to your monster.
6. GAMEPLAY | Place A Segment
The active player chooses any of their different sized segments and adds it to either the very front or very back of your monster. Move either the head up or tail back when adding. You can choose any of your remaining segments but your placement must follow the rules, which basically meaning them having a clear path. See Placement Rules below for more details.
7. GAMEPLAY | Pass To Next Player
After a player places a segment, that is it, their turn is over. The next player, in clockwise order, goes and does the same thing. This goes until a player cannot place a segment on the loch. They are then blocked and skip their turn.
8. GAME END | No More Valid Moves
The game ends when all the players are blocked or everyone has placed all their segments on the loch.
9. WINNING | Least Pieces Remaining Wins
The player with the least segments remaining in their reserve wins the game!
HOW TO PLAY BLOCK NESS – KEY INFORMATION
PLACEMENT RULES
- Each new segment should be placed on a space that is adjacent to the monster’s head or tail. The other side of the segment must sit on a free space. This side becomes the new end of the monster: the player must move the monster’s head or tail to this side depending on which end of the monster has been elongated.
- A player can place a segment that crosses over their own head or tail as long as they move their head or tail to the new segment during their turn.
- If they are able, a player can directly cross another segment of theirs.
- A player can cross over one or more of their opponents’ segments.
- A player cannot place their segment under another segment, including one of their own, even partially.
- A player may not cross over a segment that is the same height as the one they are placing
- Monsters cannot cross over an opponents’ head or tail.
EXPERT VARIANT
These rules are identical to the original rules, with the following exception. Segments can only be placed exactly 2 spaces away from the head or tail of monsters (horizontally or vertically). This means there is another way to cross over segments, making your game even more strategic!
GAME CONTENTS
- 1x Loch board
- 48x Monster Segments (12 each of 4 different colors)
- 1x Rule Book
HOW TO PLAY BLOCK NESS – IN CLOSING
We hope you can now say you know how to play Block Ness. This lightweight spatial recognition and area control game based on the paranormal beast is great for families but one that everyone can enjoy. You have the very simple task of expanding your monster either on the front or the back and it is a race for who can use their pieces is the best way to control the most space. The rules for how to play Block Ness are very quick and breezy.
