FATAL (2007) Board Game – Board Game Guys

FATAL is a card game released in 2007 by ABACUSSPIELE. It was designed by Martina Mealli and Gabriele Rabbini, with artwork by Martina Mealli. The game falls under the categories of Card Game, Fantasy, and Science Fiction, and is suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of FATAL

Rulebook: A comprehensive, over 900-page manual detailing character creation, game mechanics, and world setting.

Character Sheets: For tracking character attributes, skills, and equipment.

Dice: Primarily d100 and various other polyhedral dice for resolving actions and determining character traits.

Tables and Charts: Extensive tables for character creation, combat, and other game mechanics.

Setting: A fantasy medieval world with magical elements, creatures, and gods.

How To Setup FATAL

Setting up FATAL involves a lengthy and complex process of character creation. Players must progress through multiple chapters of the rulebook, determining attributes such as race, gender, body characteristics, abilities, disposition, mind, sociality, occupation, skills, and equipment. The game master, known as the Aedile, prepares the game setting, plot, and encounters before the game begins. This includes drawing maps, stocking dungeons with monsters and treasure, and role-playing non-player characters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Character Creation: Attributes are determined by random rolls, including physical characteristics, skills, and even sexual orientation.

Combat System: Detailed and complex, incorporating called-shots and various rules for injury and death.

Magic: Includes spellcasting with elaborate rules and potentially disturbing spell effects.

Game Master Role: The Aedile controls the game world, directs the plot, and acts as a referee or storyteller.

Objective: The primary goal is survival, with an emphasis on realism and detail in a fantasy setting.

Player Experience

Playing FATAL is a deeply immersive but often disturbing experience. The game’s focus on graphic violence, sexual content, and detailed character creation can be overwhelming. Players must navigate a complex system with many random elements, which can lead to inconsistent and sometimes absurd outcomes. The game’s adversarial nature, where the Aedile is encouraged to be challenging rather than collaborative, adds to the difficulty and tension.

Pros

Detailed World: FATAL offers a highly detailed and realistic fantasy setting.

Complex Mechanics: For those interested in intricate game systems, FATAL provides a rich and complex framework.

Historical/Mythical Accuracy: The game attempts to blend fantasy elements with historical accuracy, though this is often contested.

Cons

Graphic Content: The game is criticized for its graphic and often disturbing content, particularly regarding sex and violence.

Complexity: The game’s mechanics are overly complex and can be difficult to manage.

Randomization: The extensive use of random rolls can lead to inconsistent character traits and skills.

Adversarial Game Master: The Aedile’s role as an adversary rather than a collaborator can create a hostile gaming environment.

Personal Thoughts on FATAL

FATAL is not for the faint of heart. It is a game that appeals to a very specific and niche audience who are looking for an extremely detailed and realistic, though often disturbing, role-playing experience. The game’s focus on graphic content and its complex mechanics make it unsuitable for most players. It is a game that has gained notoriety rather than popularity, and its controversial nature has made it a subject of discussion and criticism within the tabletop role-playing community.

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