Carcassonne Official Rulebook, [edition not specified]
Expertise: Board game rules expert. | Verification: Cross-referenced official rulebook text from provided evidence chunks. | Purpose: Resolve the common confusion regarding when and how farmers are scored.
Key Insight: To avoid arguments, ensure everyone agrees that farmers are only scored at the end of the game before the first tile is placed.
These rules correspond to the US edition of Carcassonne.
In Carcassonne, farmers are placed lying down on fields to represent agricultural workers. Unlike travelers, knights, or monks, farmers and their associated fields are not scored during active gameplay. Instead, they are resolved during the final scoring phase. Each field scores 3 points for every complete city that touches that field. If multiple players have farmers on the same field, the player with the most farmers scores the full points for that field; if there is a tie for the most farm…
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Draw a land tile and place it, ensuring the landscape matches up.
Step 2: Place a meeple lying down on a field that is not already occupied by another farmer.
Step 3: Wait until the game ends to resolve scoring during the final scoring phase.
Example Play Situation
Alice places a tile that connects a large field to three complete cities. Bob also has a farmer on that same field. During final scoring, since they are tied for the most farmers, both Alice and Bob receive 9 points (3 cities x 3 points each).
Common Misconceptions
Scoring farmers during the regular game turns
Thinking the number of field tiles connected to a farmer determines points
Assuming farmers are placed standing up like knights
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
Place farmers lying down on fields
Do not score farmers during the game
Score 3 points per complete city touching a field
Do not place a farmer on a field already occupied by another farmer
Award full points to all tied players with the most farmers on a field
Do not count incomplete cities toward field scoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for scoring farmers in Carcassonne?
Each complete city touching a field is worth 3 points during final scoring.
Can I place a farmer standing up?
No, farmers must be placed lying down on their fields.
What happens if two players have the same number of farmers on one field?
All tied players score the full points for that field.
Do incomplete cities count toward farmer points?
No, only complete cities touching the field are counted.
