Lure, published by Allplay, is a fast-paced, lightweight fishing game for up to five players. Combining dice-rolling, bidding and luck, players compete to catch the most valuable fish. Lureis easy to pick up and quick to play, with a game lasting around twenty minutes.
Setup
To set up Lure, each player gets a set of coloured dice: five six-sided dice, one twelve-sided die and one twenty-sided die. Players also get a player aid that doubles as a screen for hiding bids. If playing with 2 or 3 players, randomly remove 10 fish cards. Then shuffle and draw 2 cards when playing with 2 or 3 players and 3 cards when playing with 4 or 5. These cards are placed face up on the table so that all players can see them. Players will continue drawing this amount of cards per round. All players then draw one lure token and the game begins.
Ready, Cast
The goal of Lure is simple: catch the most valuable fish by rolling dice to meet their unique requirements.
At the beginning of each round, players secretly choose how many dice they want to roll and which lures they want to play. They hide this choice behind their screens. When ready, everyone shouts, ‘Ready, cast!’ and reveals their bids at the same time.
The player with the fewest dice rolls first. If there is a tie, the tied players roll together. If both players can catch a fish, the one with the lowest total gets it. If both totals are the same, neither gets the fish. Lure tokens are not counted when choosing who rolls first.
Players take turns trying to catch fish by rolling their chosen dice and matching the requirements shown on the fish cards. Fish cards have different requirements: some need specific numbers, others a total score or a set of matching or unique dice values. Players who meet the conditions claim the fish. Players can claim all fish shown if they meet all the requirements. If they fail, they receive a lure token as consolation. If you draw a fish with a splash effect, resolve it straight away by drawing another fish and adding it to the display.
Lure tokens add a layer of strategy. They can adjust dice results, act as extra dice or provide bonus points. You can only use lure tokens that you added to your hand when you bid.
● Adjust lure tokens change a die roll by -1 or +1 but cannot take a die past its highest or lowest value. A die can’t become 0 and your D20 can’t become 21.
● Extra dice lures act like an additional die that counts towards the catch requirements but doesn’t affect your turn order.
● Boast lures add 2 victory points if you catch any fish when played that round. Keep it in your caught fish pile if successful.
Discard any lure tokens used at the end unless they are boast lures. Once all fish have been claimed or all players have taken their turn, the round ends. Players then draw fish cards based on their player count. If fish were not caught, they remain in the mix for the next round.
Game End and Scoring
The game ends when the last fish card is drawn and all players take a final turn. Players add up the points from the fish they have caught, plus any bonus points from lure tokens. The player with the highest score wins. If there is a tie, the player with the most points and the fewest fish wins. If still tied, players share the victory.
Fishery Mastery
To truly master Lure, it’s crucial to use your resources effectively. Here are some tips:
● Timing Your Lure Tokens: Be strategic about when to use your lure tokens. Saving them for crucial rolls can secure valuable fish in later rounds. For example, if you are after a high-point fish and miss by just one number, a lure token might make all the difference.
● Reading Your Opponents: Watch how your opponents bid and try to predict their moves. If someone bids high regularly, it might be worth playing it safe and claiming smaller fish. On the other hand, if someone bids low often, take the risk and go for high-value catches.
● Risk vs. Reward: Sometimes it is worth bidding fewer dice to act earlier, even if it means a risk. Acting first means you get the first pick from the available fish. If there is a fish that needs a pair of matching numbers, bidding just two dice might secure it before anyone else.
● Collecting Lure Tokens: Do not overlook the importance of gaining lure tokens early on. Even if you miss a fish, building up tokens can lead to a strong finish when more fish end up in the display. You can use as many tokens as you have on your roll, so the more you collect, the fewer dice you may need. My mum often undercuts us with fewer dice but lots of lures, getting exact numbers needed to catch fish.
Now you know the rules and a few strategic tips, you are ready to play Lure! Tell us your thoughts by heading over to our Instagram!
About the author:
Sophie is a gamer, blogger, podcaster, and book lover with a passion for solo narrative video games. When she’s not immersed in games or writing, she’s probably out hiking. Her favourite board games feature worker placement, nature themes, and smart tableau-building mechanics.
