Mountain Goats Mini
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You roll the dice. You choose which mountain to climb. You reach the summit. Someone knocks you down. You start over. And meanwhile, the seconds tick by.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT
A vertical race where staying on top is harder than getting there
Mountain Goats is a game by Stefan Risthaus published in 2010 and re-edited by Allplay in 2022. The setting is simple: you are goats climbing mountains. The illustrations by Dennis Lohausen and other artists make the theme light and accessible. It's a title that received a Spiel des Jahres nomination in the Kinderspiel category in Germany.
You roll four six-sided dice, combine them into groups that sum from 5 to 10, and advance on the corresponding tracks. You reach the top, you score points. But if someone reaches your same peak, they knock you down. The game lasts until three point piles run out or someone completes a set of all mountains. The player with the most points wins.
What they say abroad
"A game about timing. You need to not just get to the top of the mountain, but get there when no one else is in position to knock you off."
A game of timing. It's not enough to get to the top of the mountain: you need to get there when no one else is in a position to knock you down.
— Allplay
It's an honest family game: rules in three minutes, choices every turn, potential mischief but not devastating. And one game leads to another.
— FroGames
Mountain Goats
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and gameplay sessionsWhat you find in the box
Four dice, six mountains, a handful of goats
Four standard dice
Six faces, from 1 to 6. You roll them all together and decide how to group them. If you roll four 1s you can reroll them (keeping one). Otherwise, make do.
Six mountain tracks
Each corresponds to a number (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). They are 2 to 4 spaces long. You reach the end, you take the point token from the top.
Your goats
Each player has six, one for each mountain. You place them on the first space of the corresponding track when you get that number with the dice.
Variable point tokens
The mountain of 5 is worth 5 points, that of 10 is worth 10. If you complete the set (one of each value) you get a bonus of 15 points (then 12, 9, 6).
Recommended sleeves 18 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with clear sleeves to make them last a long time.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 105 × 105 mm | 18 |
| Total cards | 18 |
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each turn
Each turn is identical: roll, group, climb. The tension comes from where you choose to climb and who you are exposing (or knocking down).
You roll them all together. If you get at least three 1s, you can re-roll all but one of them. Otherwise, keep the result.
Divide the four dice into groups of 1 to 4 dice each. Each group must sum from 5 to 10. You can make up to four groups, if you can.
For each valid group, you either place a new goat on the corresponding track, or advance an existing goat one space. If you reach the top, take the point token.
If you arrive at a summit already occupied by another player, their goat returns off the board. They can put it back in play on their next turn.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Everyone starts at the base
You roll the dice, get a 5 and a 7. You place a goat on the 5 track and another on the 7. Others do the same. For now the board is almost empty and no one bothers each other.
The first conquered summit
You get a 5 again, advance, reach the top of the lowest mountain. You take the 5-point token. Everyone looks at you: you are the first target. Someone already has a 5 ready.
They knock you down
An opponent rolls, gets a 5, reaches your summit. Your goat returns to the base. They take the 5-point token. You start again. It's annoying but not devastating: the game has just begun.
The set is approaching
Someone has conquered different summits (a 6, an 8, a 10) and is aiming for the set bonus. You have three mountains but all low. You decide whether to pursue the high peaks (10 points but far away) or accumulate the easy ones.
Sudden end
A third stack of tokens runs out. Points are counted: whoever completed the set got a 15-point bonus. Whoever accumulated many small peaks is close. Wins by two points. Immediately asks for a rematch.
🐸Things to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
Things to know beforehand
Three things to keep in mind
If you roll four 2s, you can make at most an 8 (2+2+2+2). The high mountains (9 and 10) remain unreachable. For two or three turns in a row, you might not have the options you need. Luck matters, especially in the short term of 20 minutes.
With two players it is functional but a bit predictable: each player immediately understands where the other is going and when they can knock them down. With three or four, the dynamic becomes more complicated: you have to observe everyone, choose when to expose yourself, and hope that two opponents focus on each other.
If a player suffers from analysis paralysis, each turn lengthens. With four analytical players, it can easily reach 30-35 minutes. This isn't a problem for everyone, but if you're looking for a super-fast filler, keep it in mind.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win and how to be knocked down
The game ends when one of two conditions is met: three stacks of tokens are depleted, or all set bonuses have been distributed.
Victory
- Sum the points of the tokens you collected from the summits
- If you completed at least one set (a mountain of each value), add the set bonus points
- Whoever has the most points wins
Elimination from the summits
- If an opponent reaches your summit, your goat returns off the board
- Return the point token for that mountain (it becomes available to everyone again)
- You can put that goat back in play on a later turn if you get that number again
Mountain Goats is the family game that works for everyone: children, grandparents, experienced gamers looking for a filler. Twenty minutes, no downtime, one rematch after another.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Mountain Goats
What mechanics does Mountain Goats use?
Dice rolling combined with race and king of the hill. You roll dice, group them by sums, advance on mountain tracks. The only move to score points (conquering the summit) exposes you to the risk of being eliminated. There's also a set collection component: completing all mountains gives a substantial bonus.
Is it suitable for children or is it too mean?
It's perfect for children aged 8 and up. Yes, you get knocked off the mountains, but it's never devastating: anyone who is eliminated can rejoin the game immediately. Children quickly understand that knocking others down is part of the game, it's not a mean thing. And they often enjoy it more than adults.
Does it work with two players?
It works, but it's less interesting. With two players, the game becomes more tactical and predictable: you observe your opponent's dice, understand where they're going, and knock them down as soon as you can. With three or four, the dynamic becomes more complicated: opponents bother each other and you have to decide when to expose yourself. The game is designed for 3-4 players.
How long does a game really last?
The box says 20 minutes, and with fast players, that's true. With four players who think before every move, it can reach 30-35 minutes. This isn't a flaw, but if you're looking for a quick 15-minute filler, Mountain Goats can exceed that limit.
Is this edition in English?
Yes, this is the Allplay edition in English. The game is completely language-independent: you play with dice, there are no cards or text to read. The rules are available online in multiple languages, including Italian.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Mountain Goats is a dice and race game designed by Stefan Risthaus and published by Allplay. For 2-4 players, ages 8+, 20 minutes duration. The mechanism combines dice rolling, king of the hill, and set collection: you roll four dice, group them into sums from 5 to 10, and advance on mountain tracks. Whoever reaches the summit scores points, but if someone else conquers the same summit, they knock you down. The game ends when three stacks of tokens are depleted or all set bonuses have been taken. The player with the most points wins. Available on FroGames.it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
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📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
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