1347: De Nigrae Pestis Ludo (2018) Board Game
1347: De Nigrae Pestis Ludo is a board game that takes players back to the year 1347, during the time of the Black Death in Europe. The game is designed by Daniela Giubellini and features artwork by Magic Press Edizioni Srl (MPE). It falls under the categories of bluffing and medieval themes, with gameplay mechanics including area majority/influence, auction/bidding, take that, and worker placement.
## Game Components of 1347: De Nigrae Pestis Ludo
– Resource cards
– Money
– Grave diggers
– Influence tokens
– Subject cards
– Development cards
– Commoner cards
– Board featuring six different areas
## How To Setup 1347: De Nigrae Pestis Ludo
To set up the game, each player starts with five influence tokens, money, and grave diggers. The board is divided into six areas, each allowing different actions. Players place their influence tokens secretly to invest in these areas.
## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Investments**: Players invest one influence token per turn in one of the six areas on the board. All investments are hidden until all players have invested.
– **Actions**: Starting from Area 1, the invested tokens are revealed. The player who invested the most in an area can exploit the actions allowed in that area. Other players can convert their unused influence points into money or grave diggers.
– **Upkeep**: Players collect money from the Agrus (the country), heal recruited plague victims, or maintain their healed commoners. Healed commoners provide new influence tokens and abilities.
– **Game Objective**: The goal is to gain as much fame and prestige as possible by expanding influence, building plague hospitals, draining infected swamps, and collecting wealth points.
## Player Experience
Players experience a blend of strategic planning and bluffing as they navigate the challenges of the Black Death. The game requires careful management of resources and influence tokens to maximize actions and wealth points. The dynamic of hidden investments adds a layer of suspense and strategy, as players must balance their own goals with the potential actions of their opponents.
### Pros
– **Strategic Depth**: The game offers multiple layers of strategy, including resource management, influence token placement, and action exploitation.
– **High Replayability**: With hidden investments and variable player powers, each game can be significantly different.
– **Thematic Immersion**: The setting and mechanics effectively evoke the era of the Black Death, providing a unique and engaging theme.
### Cons
– **Complexity**: The game has a medium to high complexity level, which may discourage new players.
– **Long Playing Time**: Games can last between 50 to 180 minutes, which is a significant commitment.
– **Conflict**: The “Take That” mechanic can lead to direct conflict between players, which some players may find off-putting.
## Personal Thoughts on 1347: De Nigrae Pestis Ludo
**1347: De Nigrae Pestis Ludo** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a strong thematic focus. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games that require careful planning, resource management, and a bit of bluffing. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new gamers due to its complexity and lengthy playtime, experienced players looking for a challenging and immersive experience will find this game highly rewarding.
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