Trötofant
Trötofant Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Game Contents
- Tree trunk (with a string attached) x 1
- Tree top (made up of 7 parts) x 1
- Tree branches x 24
- Elephant trunks (blow-tubes) x 4
- Round plates x 4
- Mouthpieces x 8
- Spare elephant trunks (blow-tubes) x 4
- Rulebook x 1
Note: this game includes high-quality blow-tubes. If needed, wash the mouthpieces with warm soapy water. The blow-tubes can also be played with on their own as a toy. Spare blow-tubes are included in case they wear out from that use.
Object of the Game
Who can best control the elephant's trunk to collect the most tree branches? Beware of the mice!
Setup
- First, assemble the top of the tree. Insert the six cardboard leaves into the round parts.
- Place the tree trunk in the center of the table. Carefully place the assembled tree top on top of it.
- Carefully insert the tree branches into the slits in the leaves of the top. Some of the tree branches have a mouse drawn on one side. Insert these with the mouse side facing inward.
- Each player takes one round plate and places it in front of themselves.
- Finally, each player takes one elephant trunk (blow-tube).
- Return all remaining components to the game box.
How to Play
Players play at the same time. Every player holds the mouthpiece of their elephant trunk in their mouth.
The oldest player takes the string coming out of the tree trunk and pulls it carefully. The top of the tree will slowly begin to rotate.
Once all players are ready, one of them says "Ready, set, go!" and the game begins.
This is a loud and rowdy game, and everyone plays at once! All players simultaneously use only their elephant trunks to take as many tree branches as they can and place them on their own plate.
Beware of the Mice!
Some of the tree branches have mice drawn on them. Elephants are terrified of mice. Therefore, each tree branch with a mouse on it is worth −1 point. If you notice a mouse on a branch, you may use your elephant trunk to place that branch on another player's plate, which gives that player the −1 point. Of course, the other players can also use their elephant trunks to prevent this.
Important Rules
- Once a tree branch has fallen off the plate or off the table, it is left alone until the end of the game.
- Players may take more than one tree branch at a time.
- Throughout the game, players may not use their hands for anything except holding the elephant trunk. Collected tree branches must be placed on the plate using the elephant trunk. Hands may not be used.
Tip: Experienced players may choose to adopt a rule that both hands stay behind their backs for the entire game.
End of the Game
The game ends when there are no tree branches left on the top of the tree, or when no branches remain that can be taken.
Each player counts the tree branches that are on their plate, or partly on their plate. Tree branches that do not touch the plate do not count toward the score.
- A tree branch without a mouse is worth 1 point.
- A tree branch with a mouse is worth −1 point.
If a child cannot subtract: when there are branches with mice, remove one branch without a mouse for each branch with a mouse, then count the remaining branches.
The player with the highest score wins the game.
If a player has collected so many branches that counting them is difficult, the players may stack their branches on their plates and compare the heights of the stacks. The tallest stack wins. The other players should celebrate the winner with a loud fanfare using their elephant trunks.
Translation Note
Japanese-to-English translation by Joe Yamasaki (gccw1800), as credited in the source PDF. The translator's credit line and the designer, publisher and title-page attribution have been omitted. The source's component list says the tree top has "7 parts", while the setup text refers to six cardboard leaves inserted into the round parts; both are transcribed as printed.