Quick answer
To play The Ghosts of Boopmas!, first own the base game boop the Halls!, then add the expansion's ghost tokens and follow the modified scoring rules for a spooky holiday twist.
What you need before starting
The Ghosts of Boopmas! is an expansion, not a standalone game. You must own the base game boop the Halls! to use it. The expansion adds ghost-themed tokens and a new character, Jacob Meowly, that change how you score points.
Make sure you have the base game's board, cat tokens, and ornament tokens ready. The expansion only includes the ghost components and rule adjustments.
Understanding the ghost rules
In the base game, you win by lining up three cats (nice) or knocking off three opponent ornaments (naughty). The Ghosts of Boopmas! introduces Jacob Meowly, a ghost that can be bopped to alter scoring or trigger special effects.
The exact effects of Jacob Meowly are detailed in the expansion's rule sheet. The key change is that ghosts add a layer of strategy: you can use them to disrupt your opponent's plans or protect your own ornaments.
How to set up and play The Ghosts of Boopmas!
- Set up the base game: Place the boop the Halls! board, distribute cat tokens and ornament tokens as per the base game rules. Each player chooses a color and places their three ornaments on the tree. Common mistake: forgetting to set up the base game first. The expansion components only work on top of the base setup.
- Add the ghost components: Shuffle the ghost tokens (including Jacob Meowly) and place them face-down near the board. During the game, when a player would normally score a point, they may instead draw a ghost token and apply its effect. Checkpoint: Read each ghost token's effect aloud so both players understand the new rule before continuing.
- Play with ghost rules: On your turn, you can either make a standard move (boop a cat or knock an ornament) or use a ghost token you've collected. Ghost effects can include swapping ornaments, moving cats, or blocking opponent actions. Follow the expansion's rule sheet for exact effects. Common mistake: using a ghost token on the same turn you draw it. Most ghost tokens are meant to be saved for later, so check the rule sheet for timing.
- Score with ghosts: The game ends when a player has three ornaments knocked off (naughty win) or three cats lined up (nice win). Ghost tokens can modify these conditions, for example by allowing a player to remove an opponent's ornament without a cat line. Checkpoint: If a ghost effect creates a tie or unclear win condition, both players should agree on the interpretation before the game starts.
Product details
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the Ghosts of Boopmas!: Requires the base game boop the Halls! to play. Adds Jacob Meowly, The Ghost of Boopmas. You cannot play this expansion without the base game, so factor that into your purchase decision.
the Ghosts of Boopmas!
