Trade & Commerce Strategy Guide
The Riverfolk Company are entrepreneurial otters who control the rivers and waterways of the woodland. They profit by selling services to other factions while building trading posts along key river routes. Their unique economy allows them to generate funds and leverage trade relationships for victory.
The Riverfolk sell services (mercenaries, riverboats, trade) to other factions for funds. These funds are then spent on actions and building trading posts. Your success depends on managing customer relationships and controlling key trade routes.
Your primary income comes from selling services to other factions. Set competitive prices and manage customer relationships to maximize profits while avoiding being cut out of deals.
Popular with: Military factions
Popular with: Eyrie, Alliance
Popular with: Marquise, crafters
Smart pricing is crucial for maximizing profits:
Key: Balance profit with customer satisfaction for sustained income!
Trading posts are your permanent presence on the map. They provide ongoing benefits, scoring opportunities, and strategic control points along the river system.
Build Cost: 4 funds
Benefit: Extra funds from fox services
Strategy: Build near military-focused factions
Build Cost: 3 funds
Benefit: Extra cards and hand size
Strategy: Essential for card flow management
Build Cost: 5 funds
Benefit: Victory points and trade bonuses
Strategy: Key for late-game point generation
Rivers connect clearings and provide unique movement advantages. Control key river segments to dominate transportation and increase demand for your riverboat services.
Rivers provide fast travel between distant clearings
â = River clearings, ã° = River paths
Set Prices: Adjust service prices for this turn
Craft: Craft items at trading posts (optional)
Strategy: Analyze board state to price services optimally
Actions: 3 actions + bonuses from trading posts
Draw Cards: Draw cards based on trading posts
Discard: Discard down to hand limit
Income: Collect payment from service customers
Set competitive initial prices to attract customers:
Goal: Generate 3-4 funds per turn from services
Build your first trading posts strategically:
Target: 2 trading posts by turn 3
Build relationships with key customers:
You start with limited military presence and depend on goodwill for income. Don't antagonize customers early - you need their funds to build your infrastructure. Focus on establishing mutually beneficial relationships.
With established trading posts, assert market control:
Goal: 6-8 funds per turn from services
Begin scoring through trade post exports:
Manage relationships as power dynamics shift:
With established infrastructure, focus on points:
Target: Reach 30 points through balanced strategy
Protect your economic advantages:
Adapt to changing board conditions:
The Riverfolk excel at building sustainable economic engines. Your late-game power comes from having multiple income streams and the flexibility to spend funds on whatever the situation demands - points, warriors, or trading posts.
Pricing too aggressively leads to customer boycotts. Balance profit with maintaining steady income streams from repeat customers.
Building trading posts in isolated locations wastes funds. Always build on rivers for mobility and near potential customers.
Trading posts are valuable targets but fragile. Always maintain warriors to defend your investments from military factions.
Funds don't win games - victory points do. Convert excess funds into trading posts, exports, or military assets as needed.
Services: Mercenaries and trade posts are in high demand
Pricing: Can afford higher prices due to strong economy
Key: Your best customer - maintain good relationship
Services: Riverboats help with their Decree requirements
Timing: Prices vary with their expansion/turmoil cycles
Key: Valuable customer but payment can be irregular
Services: Riverboats provide rapid troop deployment
Relationship: Usually can't afford high prices early
Key: Support them when they become threatening
Services: Limited service needs due to mobility
Threat: Can easily attack isolated trading posts
Key: Maintain neutral relations, defend assets
Adjust prices based on game state:
Dominate river transportation:
Maximize victory point generation: