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Building an Elder God (2011) Board Game

ByMichail

Building an Elder God, released in 2011, is a card game designed by Ben Mund and illustrated by Signal Fire Studios. The game is based on the horror genre and features tile placement mechanics. Players take on the role of cultists competing to summon an ancient and powerful Elder God to earth.

Game Components of Building an Elder God

  • Deck of Cards: The game includes a deck of light- to medium-weight cards, although the finish is subpar, making them hard to shuffle and deal.
  • Rules: A four-page black & white rulebook that is quite simple.
  • Player Resources: Each player starts with two Necronomicons, a limited resource for healing.

    How To Setup Building an Elder God

    To set up the game, players receive a hand of body part cards. Each player has a base and a mouth for their Elder God, and the objective is to connect these using the body part cards. The game does not require complex setup, as players simply need to draw their starting hand and begin building their Elder God.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Objective: Build an Elder God by laying down a line of body parts between the base and the mouth.
  • Gameplay Actions:
  • Build: Place a new card at the top end of your god, ensuring orientation and connections are correct.
  • Wound: Place a body part card on an opponent’s god to hinder their progress.
  • Heal: Replace a wounded body part with a matching one or use a Necronomicon.
  • Elder Sign** (Advanced Game): Draw and play an Elder Sign card to remove parts of an opponent’s Elder God at a personal cost.
  • Winning Condition: The game ends when a player’s Elder God is complete and the mouth is placed.

    Player Experience

    **Building an Elder God** is a relatively simple and strategy-light game, even for the take-that genre. Players primarily focus on building their god while occasionally disrupting their opponents. The game lacks deep decision points, making it more about resource allocation, particularly with the limited Necronomicons. The game can drag on due to the attrition nature of the take-that mechanics, leading to a winner emerging once most players run out of wound cards.

    Pros

  • Quick Playtime: Games last 15-30 minutes.
  • Simple to Learn: Easy rules make it accessible for new players.
  • Lovecraftian Theme: Appealing to fans of the Cthulhu mythos.
  • Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up.

    Cons

  • Card Quality: Subpar finish makes cards hard to shuffle and deal.
  • Limited Strategy: Lack of deep decision points and strategic depth.
  • Attrition-Based: Games can be lengthy due to the need to deplete wound cards.
  • Rule Issues: Original wound rules can be broken, requiring house rules.

    Personal Thoughts on Building an Elder God

    **Building an Elder God** is for fans of Lovecraftian themes and those who enjoy light, casual card games. It’s not ideal for players seeking complex strategies or deep gameplay mechanics. The game is suitable for families and new gamers due to its simplicity, but it may not hold the attention of experienced gamers looking for more challenging experiences. Despite its flaws, it offers a fun and fast-paced way to engage with the Cthulhu mythos in a playful setting.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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