- Setup |
- Key Rules |
- Gameplay |
- Strategies |
- Variations
Aggravation is a classic game where the aim is to frustrate your opponents—it’s all in the name! Roll the dice, move your marbles, and bump other players’ marbles back to the start. Just be sure to keep your cool when your opponents do the same to you. We’ll show you how to play, from setup to victory, as well as how to strategize and play team variations of the game.
Things You Should Know
- Number of players: 2-6
- Object of the game: Move your 4 marbles around the board and into your “home” spaces before the other players.
- Key rules: Roll a 1 or 6 to start a marble onto the board. Bump other players’ marbles back to their bases by landing on them.
Steps
Setup
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Gather 2-6 players and choose your marble colors. Aggravation is played with 2-6 total players. Sit your players around the board. Everyone chooses a color, then takes the 4 marbles of that color and places them in the “base” of the corresponding color. [1] X Research source
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Roll the dice to see who goes first. Every player rolls the 2 included dice. The player who rolls the highest number goes first, and turns move clockwise around the table. [2] X Research source
- If 2 players roll the same highest number, they roll them again to break the tie.
Gameplay
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Roll a 1 or a 6 on your turn to start a marble on the board. At the beginning of the game, all the marbles are in the players’ bases. The first player rolls the dice. If they roll a 1 or a 6, they may move a marble out of their base and onto their labeled “start” space, but not any further. [5] X Research source
- After the first player rolls, they pass the dice clockwise to the next player, who takes their turn.
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Move started marbles by rolling the dice on your turn. Once you’ve got a marble out of your base by rolling a 1 or a 6 on a previous turn, start your turn by rolling the dice, as usual. Now, you can move any one of your marbles that are out of the base exactly that number of spaces, clockwise around the board. [6] X Research source
- If you roll a 1 or a 6, you may choose instead to move another marble out of your base, as long as you don’t already have a marble on your “start” space.
- Also, after you’ve started a marble, you take another bonus turn if you roll a 6.
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Aggravate other players, and avoid blocking yourself. If your marble lands on another player’s marble on its trip around the board, their marble gets sent back to their base. But watch out, other players can do the same to you! [7] X Research source
- Also, you cannot move past or land on your own marbles. Make your moves wisely!
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Win the game by getting all your marbles into “home.” The aim of the game is to get all your marbles safely to your “home” spaces before the other players do the same. But be careful—you must fill up the “home” spaces using your exact rolls. No jumping over or landing on your own marbles! [8] X Research source
- Players can’t use half or only a part of the amount they rolled. Marbles must always be moved the full die count.
EXPERT TIPBoard Game ExpertsOur Family Plays Games, LLC is a family-owned business based in Omaha, Nebraska. Launched in 2018, their mission is to promote growth and awareness of the modern board game hobby and bring more BIPOCs and families into the board game community. In June 2020 they were featured on Good Morning America and have since been featured on NBC News Online, Senet Magazine (UK), Ligadas.com (Brazil), a variety of YouTube programs, podcasts, and on local television. In January of 2022, they launched a second program on their channel, called OFPG Voices to highlight other underrepresented voices in the hobby. In addition, they make special appearances at board game conventions all around the country and work with board game publishers from around the world.Approach gameplay with a positive mindset. Board games are fun yet strategic. Even if you want to win, preserve the spirit of this wholesome pastime by offering encouragement and support to all gameplayers. Avoid being overly competitive. Cultivating a positive atmosphere will ensure that everyone has a good time.
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.boardgamecapital.com/game_rules/aggravation-2002.pdf
- ↑ https://www.boardgamecapital.com/game_rules/aggravation-2002.pdf
- ↑ https://www.geekyhobbies.com/aggravation-board-game-review-and-rules/
- ↑ https://www.geekyhobbies.com/aggravation-board-game-review-and-rules/
- ↑ https://www.boardgamecapital.com/game_rules/aggravation-2002.pdf
- ↑ https://www.geekyhobbies.com/aggravation-board-game-review-and-rules/
- ↑ https://www.geekyhobbies.com/aggravation-board-game-review-and-rules/
- ↑ https://www.boardgamecapital.com/game_rules/aggravation-2002.pdf
- ↑ https://www.boardgamecapital.com/game_rules/aggravation-2002.pdf