KOI
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The FroGames Card
Pick a tile, turn it over in your fingers. Where to place it? The pond takes shape before your eyes — three levels, a bridge connecting the banks, lanterns illuminating the water. Someone murmurs 'beautiful.' And the game isn't even over yet.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT
A strategic and serene journey into the contemplation of nature
From the creators of Bonsai — Rosaria Battiato, Massimo Borzì and Martino Chiacchiera — comes a new game inspired by Japanese garden culture. Koi means multicolored carp, called "swimming flowers," considered living jewels and a symbol of perseverance. With illustrations by Emiliano Castellano, every game becomes an exercise in contemplation and construction.
On your turn, you either meditate to draw cards and buy carp from the market, or you work using your Sensei's powers to place tiles and shape the pond. The placement system is customizable and multi-level: bridges, lanterns, 3D elements that make each pond unique. Dynamic objectives guide choices, new functionalities unlock during the game, and at the end, you contemplate your creation as it comes to life.
What they say abroad
"In Koi, you build an authentic 3D koi pond, so the challenge is to bring your reservoir to life and make the most of the actions at your disposal to create something truly magnificent."
— 999 Games
The multi-level construction system brings tile placement to a new dimension. Seeing the pond grow in height changes the perception of space and possibilities.
— FroGames
Koi
Includes a robust solo mode with dedicated rules. The experience is complete — build your pond, pursue objectives, unlock powers — but it obviously lacks the carp market competition that enlivens multiplayer.
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews and play sessionsThe elements of your pond
What you build during the game
Multi-level tiles
You place tiles to create seabeds, banks, overlapping water levels. The pond grows vertically: three layers, depth, impossible geometries on the plane.
Bridges and lanterns
Physical 3D elements that connect the banks and illuminate the water. They are not just decorations: they modify objectives and unlock new scoring possibilities.
Koi Carp
Multicolored fish that you buy from the market and place in your pond. Each carp has placement requirements and contributes to the dynamic objectives of the game.
Sensei and objectives
Each player has a Sensei with unique abilities that modify the placement rules. Dynamic objectives change victory conditions and guide strategies.
Recommended sleeves 62 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with clear sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 63.5 × 88 mm | 62 |
| Total cards | 62 |
🎯 COME SI GIOCA
📦 CONTENUTO DELLA SCATOLA
🧤 BUSTINE
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each round
On your turn, choose between two actions: meditate to gather resources, or work to build.
Draw cards from the deck, earn coins, and you can buy a Koi carp from the central market. The passive action that prepares you for the next turn.
Use your Sensei's abilities to place tiles in your pond. You can overlap levels, connect banks with bridges, and add lanterns. The heart of the game.
If you complete a dynamic objective (specific shape, carp in certain positions, connected bridges), you declare it and gain points. Objectives are visible to everyone.
As the pond grows, some tiles unlock new abilities or modify placement rules. The game evolves as you play.
⏱️Your first gameThe story, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
First tiles, first doubts
The table is empty, the tiles still in the bag. You draw the first one: where to put it? Your Sensei allows a special move, but you're not sure how to use it. Someone immediately places a bridge, you hesitate. The anxiety of the blank page.
The pond takes shape
The pond begins to grow: overlapping tiles, first level completed, someone adds a lantern. You peek at others' objectives and realize you're building in the wrong direction. Or maybe they are wrong.
Race to the carp market
The best carp are few, the market empties. You meditate to gather coins, but this means yielding your turn. Someone else buys the carp you wanted. You bite your tongue, planning revenge.
The bridge that changes everything
You place a bridge connecting two distant banks. Suddenly you see possibilities that didn't exist before: a carp positions itself at a strategic point, you unlock an objective worth three points. Others lean in to look at your pond.
The completed pond
There are no more spaces. The ponds are four different works of art: some aimed for depth, some for breadth, some for one large central bridge. Points are counted, but first everything is photographed.
🐸Good to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to know beforehand
Three things a friend would tell you
Koi is not in a hurry. If you're looking for adrenaline or continuous plot twists, this is not the game for you. It's designed for those who want to plan, build, contemplate. Turns are short but thoughtful.
Multi-level tile placement requires three-dimensional vision. In the first few games, some people misread available spaces or objective conditions. After one game, everything becomes clear.
In 4 players, the waiting times between turns lengthen, and the carp market becomes more chaotic. In 2-3 players, the experience is more fluid and contemplative.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win
The game ends when all players have completed their ponds. Points are counted.
Victory
- Points from dynamic objectives completed during the game
- Points from Koi carp positioned according to the required conditions
- Bonus points from well-placed bridges, lanterns, and 3D elements
How to lose ground
- Wasting turns without completing objectives or placing valuable carp
- Building a pond that does not meet the dynamic conditions for bonus points
- Having the best carp snatched from the market without alternatives
Koi is not a race: it's the art of building something beautiful that also works strategically. Each game leaves a small masterpiece on the table.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Koi
Is Koi suitable for those new to modern board games?
Yes. The rules can be explained in 10 minutes, there are only two actions (meditate or work), and the first game naturally guides choices. It's an excellent gateway game for those looking for something more strategic than classics but without excessive complexity.
How does the 3D construction system work?
You place tiles to create the pond's bottom, then stack other levels to add depth. Bridges and lanterns are physical components that you place on top of the tiles, connecting banks or illuminating areas. The top-down view shows the geometry, but the pond has real height.
Is the solo mode robust, or just an add-on?
It's a robust official mode, not a fallback. You build your pond following dedicated objectives, without opponents but with optimization challenges. Perfect for quiet evening sessions. It loses the competition in the carp market, but the building experience remains intact.
What mechanics does Koi use?
Multi-level tile placement (the core of the game), open drafting for carp from the market, pattern building to complete objectives, hand and coin management. It includes dynamic contracts that modify victory conditions during the game.
Is it available in Italian?
Yes. The DV Games edition sold on FroGames is fully in Italian: rulebook, cards, components. No need to know other languages.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Koi is a strategic board game for 1-4 players, 45 minutes playtime, ages 10+. Designed by Rosaria Battiato, Massimo Borzì, and Martino Chiacchiera (authors of Bonsai) and published by DV Games, it brings the contemplation of Japanese gardens to the table through a multi-level tile placement system. Players build three-dimensional ponds populated by Koi carp, using bridges and lanterns to unlock dynamic objectives. Each game offers infinite replayability thanks to customizable setups and Sensei with unique abilities. Includes official solo mode for solo sessions. Available on FroGames.it.
KOI
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦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!
⏳How do pre-orders work?
Pre-order the game before release, payment is immediate, and the game is reserved for you. As soon as it arrives, we'll ship it right away! If there are any delays, we'll update you promptly.
🔒Can I trust buying here?
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🛠There's a problem with my order, what should I do?
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