Vici (2014) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Vici is an abstract strategy board game released in 2014 and designed by Benjamin Shulman. The game is set in ancient times and falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Ancient, and Wargame. With a playtime of around 30 minutes, Vici is designed for 2 players and employs various game mechanisms such as dice rolling, grid movement, and push your luck.

Game Components of Vici

1 game board

1 Shared Stockpile mat

2 Player Stockpile mats

9 Vici tokens

6 Battle dice (3 black, 3 white)

16 Unit pieces (4 types: Footmen, Spearmen, Horsemen, and Bowmen)

Smithy and Catapult Unit pieces

How To Setup Vici

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Players sit behind one of the two camps at the ends of the board. Place the Shared Stockpile mat on one side and the Vici tokens on the other. Each player receives a Stockpile mat and places it in front of them. Each player starts with 3 Spearmen, 2 Footmen, 1 Bowmen, and 1 Horsemen Unit pieces, which are placed on their Stockpile mat. The Smithy and Catapult Unit pieces go on the Shared Stockpile mat. Finally, each player receives their respective colored dice (white or black).

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Activate Encamped Units: Start each turn by activating units.

Combat: Includes melee (adjacent units) and ranged (Bowmen, 2 spaces away) combat.

Battle Strengths: Units have strengths and weaknesses, summarized on the Stockpile mat.

Vici Tokens: Placing a Unit in an opponent’s camp space earns a Vici token.
– A Vici token cannot be moved once placed.
– Units moving into a space with a Vici token are removed to the Shared Stockpile mat (except for the Smithy).
– Each Vici token earns +1 Battle Point (BP).

Winning Conditions:
– First player to earn 3 more Vici tokens than their opponent wins.
– First player to earn 5 Vici tokens wins.
– First player to prevent their opponent from making at least one move wins.

Player Experience

Vici is designed to be a gateway to war gaming, making it accessible to younger players and non-gamers. The game teaches basic tactical and strategic gameplay while providing layers of complexity to challenge players. The use of Vici tokens gives players a clear goal to attack their opponent’s camp and defend their own, leading to rewarding and punishing gameplay. Despite some minor confusion, players can quickly self-correct and continue playing.

Pros

Easy to learn and play

Great for introducing players to war games

Simple yet challenging gameplay

Rewards strategic thinking

Cons

Some components may have printing misalignments

Limited complexity for experienced gamers

Personal Thoughts on Vici

Vici is an excellent choice for those looking to dip into the world of war games without being overwhelmed by complex rules. It is particularly suited for younger players and those new to strategic games, as it provides a balanced mix of simplicity and challenge. However, experienced gamers might find it too straightforward and lacking in depth. Overall, Vici is a fun and educational game that makes strategy accessible to a broad audience.

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