Ettin (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ettin is a fantasy board game released in 2020, designed by Maciej Janik and published by WizKids. The game is designed for 2 to 8 players, with the best experience being for 4 or 6 players. With a runtime of 60 minutes and recommended for ages 14 and up, Ettin features closed drafting and is a team-based game set in a fantasy world.

Game Components of Ettin

8 faction decks, each with its unique nation cards

Mercenary deck for skirmish drafts

Unit cards with various abilities and color-coded phases

Coins for resource management

Four contested lanes for battle deployment

How To Setup Ettin

To set up Ettin, players form teams of two Nations, or an odd player forms a Rogue Nation. Each team draws cards from their unique nation decks and the mercenary deck. Players deploy their units face-down into four contested lanes, with some units allowed to be face-up if they have the scouting ability.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drafting: Players engage in periodic drafts, both skirmishes and peacetime drafts, to acquire units.

Area Majority: Units are deployed into four contested lanes to control areas.

Resource Management: Players must manage coins to recruit and deploy units.

Hidden Information: Units are often deployed face-down, adding an element of surprise and strategy.

Objective: Teams aim to defeat their neighboring teams by controlling lanes and outmaneuvering their opponents.

Player Experience

Ettin offers a dynamic and tense gameplay experience, especially with its face-down unit deployment mechanism, which creates a sense of uncertainty and strategic depth. Players must communicate effectively with their allies during peacetime drafts to strengthen their defenses and plan their attacks. The game’s varied units and abilities ensure that each battle is unique and challenging.

Pros

Supports a large number of players (up to 8) without cooperative or free-for-all gameplay.

Engaging drafting mechanics that add strategic depth.

Color-coded abilities make the game easy to learn but challenging to master.

High replayability due to the diverse unit pool and draft variations.

Cons

Managing an odd number of players can be slightly more complicated.

The game requires a significant amount of table space due to the multiple lanes and cards.

Personal Thoughts on Ettin

Ettin is ideal for players who enjoy strategic team-based games with a mix of area control and drafting mechanics. It is particularly suited for larger groups looking for a game that balances complexity with accessibility. The game’s unique blend of hidden information and collaborative planning makes it a standout title for those who appreciate both strategy and social interaction. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a simple, quick game, as Ettin requires time and strategic thinking to fully appreciate its depth.

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