Guardian’s Call (2019) Board Game

Guardian’s Call is a bluffing and deduction game released in 2019 by designers Lina Cossette, David Forest, and Damien Mammoliti. It is published by Druid City Games and Skybound Tabletop. The game is designed for 2 to 5 players, with a runtime of 20 to 40 minutes, and is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Game Components of Guardian’s Call

Character cards with unique traits

Weapon and shield cards

Ancient artifact cards

Magical spell cards

Miniatures for tracking progress on a bonus track

Game Trayz for organized storage

Council meeting and War cards

How To Setup Guardian’s Call

To set up the game, players start by distributing the character cards, each with a unique trait. The deck is shuffled, and each player receives a starting hand. The game board, if included, is set up with the necessary tracks and markers. Players place their miniatures on the bonus track, and the Game Trayz is used to keep all components organized.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bluffing and Deduction: Players must gather sets of cards and use bluffing to mislead opponents.

Card Collection: Gather weapons, shields, ancient artifacts, and magical spells.

Council Meetings: Heavier scoring opportunities arise during Council meetings.

War Card: The game ends with the draw of the final War card.

Objective: The goal is to collect the most valuable sets of cards while using bluffing to outmaneuver opponents.

Player Experience

Guardian’s Call is a game that thrives on social interaction and bluffing. Players engage in intense stare-downs, face-offs, and rounds of applause as they try to outwit each other. The game encourages noise, fun, and high levels of player engagement. However, the random nature of the deck can lead to sudden changes in fortune, making the game unpredictable and sometimes frustrating.

Pros

High Social Interaction: Encourages loud and fun gameplay.

Simple yet Engaging Mechanics: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Stunning Artwork: Beautifully crafted cards and components.

Quick Game Sessions: Ideal as a starter game for game nights.

Cons

Randomness and Luck: Games can quickly switch from winner to loser due to deck randomness.

Value for Money: Questions arise about the necessity of all the included components.

Frustration with Bluffing: Perfect bluffs can be undone by bad luck or incorrect opponent guesses.

Personal Thoughts on Guardian’s Call

Guardian’s Call is perfect for those who enjoy social interaction, bluffing, and deduction games. It’s an excellent choice for game nights as a starter game due to its short and sweet gameplay. However, players who prefer games with less randomness and more control may find it frustrating. The game’s loud and interactive nature makes it suitable for groups looking for a fun, light-hearted experience.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.