Sherwood Forest

Recruit outlaws, plan raids and cheerfully sell your friends a robbery you know is a trap.

Designer: Nils Finkemeyer
Published by: eggertspiele
Editions by: Rio Grande Games, Filosofia Éditions, Smart Ltd

Robin Hood is gone and six rival bands want his job. You place outlaws at locations to plan raids, recruit companions and gather rumours, then the loot gets scored. The trick is talking someone into joining a robbery you already know the sheriff is watching.

Private information that fuels the bargainingJoint raids that force real alliancesSix tight rounds of placement and payoff

Who it's for

Talkative groups of five or six who enjoy negotiation games and do not mind being betrayed. Best with people who know each other well.

Not for you if…

You want clean, solitaire-friendly optimisation, or your table goes quiet during negotiation. With three players the alliances collapse, and the 2009 presentation feels dated next to modern trading games.

Vibe's take

Chatty and suspicious, with the fun sitting in the deals rather than the board. Best when everyone plays along with the lying.