ELEMENT OF THE WEEK: THE FERRIESEach week, a specific element from an expansion is chosen for deeper discussion. This is an opportunity for you, Carcassonne's biggest English-language fans, to discuss strategies and problems you have encountered through the years regarding specific expansion elements. All forms of critique – from the most joyous to the most scathing – are encouraged.
This week's element is
THE FERRIES (Carcassonne Mini #3). The Carcassonne Minis series introduced a number of strange innovations to the game, but none were as popular and desired as that introduced in The Ferries. This ingenious 8-tile expansion adds lakes to the landscape of Carcassonne (not to be confused with Inns). Three or four roads dead-end into these lakes, or they would except for the introduction of the ferry. The ferry connects any two of the roads together, but only to roads can be connected at at time. Whenever a player places or extends a road that has a lake on it, they may move the ferry in whichever way they like. By so doing, lakes can end roads, extend roads, or connect a road with another player's. It also can end another player's road! The hijinks are many.
This expansion is a great little treat that doesn't take away anything and adds much. The variety of creative ways of using the ferries is amazing and can make for some fun reversals. Furthermore, it emphasises roads, which are often neglected in the game. While there are some confusing situations, such as when a road with multiple ferries is extended or how a Builder works with ferries, overall the expansion is fairly straightforward. Discuss your relationship with The Ferries and how you optimise your use of this strategic element.
Next Week: The Little Buildings Linkback: https://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=1906.0