FAQ

Silverwood Grove is an Australian board game set in a mythical Australian realm where
animals from all corners come together to meet, barter, make trades and live.

This FAQ is not meant to be a replacement for the Rulebook – it is designed to supplement and
help with common questions that have arisen since release.

I hope this FAQ proves value and adds to your enjoyment of Silverwood Grove.

Navigation:
P2 - Components
P3 - Characters
P5 - Rulebook
P6 - Solo Play
P7 - Solo Scenarios
P8 - Player Boards; Climate Calamity
P9 - The Hunt
P10 - Locations
P11 - Employees; Conclusion, Appendix Link

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Components:
Q: Does the First Player Marker have footings to help it stand up straight?
A: Yes, it does. We’ve sometimes found they come loose in the box and sometimes escape
under the insert. There are two footings to help the First Player Marker stand.

Q: Why are some tracking cubes coloured and some not coloured?
A: The coloured tracking cubes are designed for your Resources. The uncoloured tracking
cubes are designed to track your Research and Develop level, as well as the number of Actions
you have to play.

Set Up (Standard):
Q: I was handed two Characters, but I don’t like either. Can I change to a different
Character?
A: No. This is a deliberate design decision and is made in the effort to give players choice yet
also provide a sense of purpose and a guiding principle in how they may play.

Q: Do I get to choose my Player Board? Is there any difference between them?

A: Players can choose their Player Board. There is no gameplay difference between the
different Player Boards.

Q: What are the starting Resources for Drop Bear?

A: Drop Bear is unique in that they start with 12 Resources, just like all other Characters.
However, players can choose which 12 Resources they start with. Drop Bear is an advanced
Character and is designed for players already familiar with the game.

Q: Which side of the Turn Phase Token do I use?

A: For the standard game players use the Turn Phase Token that has 5 sides. The other side is
for the Family modes stated in the rulebook.

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Characters:
Q: How does Drop Bear work?
A: Drop Bear is designed as an advanced Character, and to be played only by those already
familiar with the game. Drop Bear comes with the standard 12 starting resources, however the
player may choose how to distribute those starting resources. They do not start with a Tribe,
but may join one by using their Level 3 Talent. Drop Bear has 3 separate Talents, and are
unlocked for the rest of the game with the first, “Ambush”, being available once the player
has Researched Insight. The second Talent “Bite” becomes available once the player
researches Nature. At this point, if the player uses the action “Talent”, they must state
verbally which Talent they are using. After researching Spirit, the player has access to all
three Talents, and when using the Talent action, may choose freely which one to use.
“Instinct” allows the player to either join a Tribe if they have yet to do so, or change to a
different tribe from one they have previously joined.

Q: Can I use my Talent on my last turn for the round, even when my Talent states I
have to forfeit the remainder of my turn?
A: Yes, you can.

Q: What does “pay to the supply” mean?

A: It means that the cost of the resources are removed from your current supply, but they
aren’t being transferred to any other player. For example, the Tawny Frogmouth Talent states
“Pay 1 Resource to the Supply, 1 to the player to your left”. In this example, the player would
choose which Resource to lower -1 from their current available and the player to their
immediate left would gain +1 of that Resource. They would also choose another Resource that
they would lower -1 from their current Supply.

Q: I don’t have the Resources available to “pay to the Supply”

A: Than sadly, you cannot do the action.

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Q: How does “Steal” work?
“Steal” allows the player to gain that number of Resources from another player as that player
removes in kind. When using an action that has this keyword, the player would choose
another player, choose a Resource, ensuring the player has enough of that Resource, and
state they are stealing the # of that Resource as stated by the action. The player would gain
that number of Resources, while the player being stolen from would reduce that number of
Resources.

Q: What does “Employee cap” mean?

A: Players are restricted to 2 Employees only. This is the cap. You cannot fire Employees.
However, there are many Locations, Talents and abilities which allow players to further add
to their Employee cap beyond the initial limit.

Q: How do I know when I Research if my bonus is a one-time bonus or a passive?

A: Check the Character sheet for a breakdown on each Character and their bonuses from
Research and their Talent for a more thorough answer, but generally speaking if the word
“Gain” is part of the wording, it is a one-time effect.

Q: When I Research “Nature” or “Spirit”, do I lose the previous benefit?

A: No. For example, after Researching Insight while playing as Frill Neck, any subsequent
Research will not cost an AP to activate. Additionally, one of the Resource cost will be
returned to the player.

Q: When can I use my Talent?

A: The Talent action comes available to players after using Research to Research Insight,
Nature and Spirit. Drop Bear is the exception to this.

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Rulebook:
Q: How do I score Research and Develop?
A: Research and Develop, apart from providing benefits and the ability to unlock the Talent
and Unite actions, also provide VP.
For Research it is:
Insight = 1VP
Nature = 2VP
Spirit = 3VP

For Develop it is:

Community = 2VP
Identity = 2VP
Harmony = 2VP

Q: I’m not sure how to score Tribe co-operation. Does this mean 4VP per 3 different
Tribe symbols?
A: Yes. Players gain 4VP for each set of Daintree, Flinders and Kakadu symbols, regardless of
source. This includes the symbols on Employees, Locations and even your Character.

Set Up (Solo)

Q: Do I still set up the AI board like I would set up my own board?

A: Yes. Apart from not having to keep track of the AI actions (so you will not need to use the
tracking cube for the action bar) or provide them with a Turn Phase Token, you do still need
to track the AI’s Research and Develop levels, as well as their Resources.

Q: Is the set up for the Solo mode the same as for Scenarios?
A: Yes. Apart from selecting a Scenario, the Player Board and the AI board is set up the same
for the Scenario or standard Solo modes.

Q: Can I use the Family Mode (3 sided Turn Phase Token) for the Solo mode or
Scenarios?
A: No.

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Solo Play:
Q: How does the First Player Action work in solo games?
A: Exactly the same as the standard mode. While first player, players may take the First
Player Action. Reminder that this can only be done while first player, and only at the start of
the round, for the cost of -1AP.

Q: Beat around the Bush? What do the scores mean?

A: This is a mix of Aussie slang which also mainly equates to the ranking the player has at
game end. Flat out is traditionally considered someone who worked the hardest but still came
last. Fair Dinkum is colloquially seen as someone being honest or true. Stoked! is Australian
slang for very pleased/ happy. Beauty! is Australian slang for something that’s great. Crikey!
is probably the most known internationally, and is meant to mean surprise.

Q: How do I give the AI extra AP?

A: Quick answer, you don’t! In fact, the AI uses no AP at all, and just completes the Actions
prescribed for that Round, even if they do not meet the requirements.

Q: What if the AI card asks me to Build a location that the AI does not meet the
requirements to build?
A: Any requirements for Build with the AI is ignored. They’re able to Build regardless of
requirements.

Q: How do bonuses work with AI?

A: This is a broad question, so a lot depends on the specific card, but the main takeaway is
that the AI gets every bonus except for extra AP. Most bonuses apply to VP or to Resources,
which the AI does gain. Check with the Appendix for specific cards.

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Solo Scenarios:

Q: Do I have to complete the Scenario objectives and get the Beat around the Bush
score to win the Objective?
A: Yes and No. The Scenario provides the Objective, starting Resources, skills and additional
items, as well as any rule changes for the Scenario. If you complete the Objective, which can
state anything from having a certain number of Locations, Employees or Resources, in
addition to VP, you complete the Objective. Completing the Beat Around the Bush score is an
additional effort that you can attempt.

Q: I don’t understand the layout of the Solo Scenario cards. Can you help?
A: Sure! The Scenarios cards are designed in three sections, the cloud section, the wood
section and the Win Condition section.

On the top of the card (cloud section) is the name of the Scenario, and just beneath that is a
little blurb to give you some background story. Beneath that, still in the cloud section are the
specific rules and changes made for the Scenario.

In the wood (middle) section is the starting resources, Character tribe and any other starting
characteristic. If Resources aren’t denoted, you start with the Resources your Character
ordinarily provides.

Some Scenarios start with some level of Develop or Research already completed.

Beneath the wood (middle) section is the Win Condition (bottom) section, which informs the
player of the conditions or objectives in order to win.

This can be any combination of VP, a level of Research or Develop, a certain number of
Employees or Locations, including those that are Promoted or Upgraded, a certain number of
Resources, or some combination thereof.

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Playerboards:
Q: Is there any difference between using the different Playerboards?
A: No. They are aesthetically different but in terms of gameplay, are the same. They were just
designed differently to show more regions of Silverwood Grove.

Climate Calamity:

Q: How many Climate Calamity cards are there?

A: There are 18 cards in the Climate Calamity module.

Q: Do I have to play with the Climate Calamity module?

A: No. This is an optional module that can be added to the game at the player’s discretion. It
is recommended that players play at least one game without Climate Calamity first.

Q: What’s with the little writing on the bottom of the cards?

A: They aren’t gameplay altering, and are there to provide a little background and colour to
the card.

Q: Why the name Climate Calamity?

A: Silverwood Grove was designed as a personal response to the bushfires that devastated
Australia in 2019 and 2020. Above all, the Climate is the thing that provides the most change
and upheaval to a location. Climate Calamity was the idea of creating a rule change per round
module married with the idea that the Climate can provide the most calamity.

Q: Can Climate Calamity be played by some players and not others?

A: No. Climate Calamity is designed to be played by all players.

Q: Can Climate Calamity be used in the other modes?

A: Climate Calamity is designed purely for the standard game mode. It has not been designed
for Solo play, the Family Mode, Family+ Mode, Family Mode versus Standard or Family+
Mode versus Standard.

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The Hunt:
Q: How many The Hunt cards are there?
A: There are 18 cards in the The Hunt module.

Q: Do I have to play with The Hunt module?

A: No. The Hunt is an optional module designed for experienced players. You can play
Silverwood Grove without it.

Q: What happens if I don’t complete the Objective?

A: Nothing. You will not gain the associated VP, but you will not be punished for not doing so
either. The Hunt is optional.

Q: Why are some The Hunt cards worth more VP than others?
A: Some The Hunt cards require additional effort, and provide more VP for doing so.

Q: Can The Hunt be played by some players and not others?

A: No. The Hunt is designed to be played by all players. That said, there is no requirement
that all players complete The Hunt.

Q: Can The Hunt be played in the alternative game modes?

A: No. The Hunt is designed for experienced players in the standard game. It is not designed
for the Family Mode, Family+ Mode, Family Mode versus Standard or Family+ Mode versus
Standard.

Q: Why the name, “The Hunt”?

A: It’s thematic to the module, as you are hunting your way to victory, choosing to play or
hunt for a certain objective. The Hunt is your personal goal – the thing you hunt for on your
way to victory.

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Locations:
Q: Why are some Location cards worth more VP (Victory Points) than others?
A: This is due to some Location cards requiring more of the player, higher Resource cost,
higher Research or Development, more Employee skills.

Q: What’s with the square with the different Resources? Does that mean any
Resource can be used?
A: Yes. As an example, Ironbark Fixtures requires the player to pay to the supply 6 Resources
in order to Build.

Q: Ok, so the square with the different Resources means any Resource. Does that
mean they all have to be the same type?
A: No. Using the Ironbark Fixtures Location I would need 6 Resources to Build. But these 6
Resources can be a combination of any number of Grain, Vine, Sap and Stone.

Q: Is the Upgrade cost the same as the Build cost?

A: Yes.

Q: I have a question about a specific Location.

A: Your answer may lie within the addendum. If you still have questions, I recommend
checking the BoardGameGeek forum.

Q: How does the Employee bonus work?

A: This bonus works whenever you either Hire the Employee, having previously Built the
Location, or by Building the Location having already Hired the Employee. Neither the
Employee or the Location need to be Level 2. At this point you have “synergised” by adding
an Employee and a Location that compliment each other and the bonus is awarded.

Q: How many Locations should I have available to Build?

A: There should be 1 more Location available to Build than there are players.

Q: Do I restock the Location pool after a player Builds a Location?

A: No. The Location pool is restocked at the start of each Round.

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Employees:
Q: I have a question about a specific Employee.
A: Your answer may lie within the addendum. If you still have questions, I recommend
checking the BoardGameGeek forum.

Q: How many Employee cards are there?

A: There are 36 Employee cards.

Q: Why are some Employees worth more VP (Victory Points)?

A: Some Employees require more from the player in order to Hire them – higher Resource
cost, greater Research or Development, and this is reflected in their VP.

Q: How many Employees should I have to Hire?

A: The Employee pool should be 1 greater than the number of players.

Q: Do I restock the Employee pool as soon as an Employee is Hired?

A: No. The Employee pool is restocked at the start of each Round.

Conclusion:
Q: I have a question that isn’t answered by this FAQ.
A: The Silverwood Grove BoardGameGeek forums are your friend. Your question may have
already been asked and answered, but if it hasn’t, ask in the Rules forum.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/330806/silverwood-grove

Q: Where can I find a full list of each card and their detailed skills/meanings?
A: Head to the below link to download the Appendix of all cards:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lsScwqP-1w5D400WUaINTf7PPeVtfIoY/view?usp=sharing

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