Master Merchant (2011) Board Game

Master Merchant is a card game released in 2011 by Hobby World. Designed by Seiji Kanai and illustrated by Noboru Sugiura, it is a deck-building game that involves players taking on the role of merchants trying to build their trading empires.

Game Components of Master Merchant

Deck of cards

Bag for drawing cards

Currency tokens

Player mats

How To Setup Master Merchant

Each player receives a player mat and a starting deck of cards.

Shuffle the deck of cards and place them face down in the center of the play area.

Place the currency tokens within reach of all players.

The player who most recently visited a market goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns drawing cards from the deck to build their hand of cards. They can use these cards to purchase more cards to add to their deck, or to acquire currency tokens. The objective of the game is to amass the most wealth by the end of the game.

Player Experience

Pros

Quick gameplay

Simple rules

Strategic decision-making

Replayability

Cons

Limited player count

Luck-based elements

Personal Thoughts on Master Merchant

Master Merchant is a solid deck-building game that offers a good balance of strategy and luck. The game components are of good quality, and the artwork is visually appealing. However, the limited player count may not be suitable for larger gaming groups. The game is priced reasonably and is widely available both new and used.

Overall, Master Merchant is worth your time if you enjoy deck-building games and are looking for a quick and engaging gameplay experience. It is suitable for players aged 10 and above, and can be enjoyed by both casual and experienced gamers. However, those who prefer games with higher player counts may want to skip this one. If you enjoy games like Dominion or Splendor, you may find Master Merchant to be a worthwhile addition to your collection.

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