Five Ravens (2017) Board Game

Five Ravens is a board game that was released in in 2017. It is a card game that revolves around the theme of animals and murder/mystery. The game is designed by JJ Ariosa and Fredrik Skarstedt, with art by Hyperbole Games.

Game Components of Five Ravens

9 initial cards for each player

Relic cards representing various treasures

Raven cards with dual abilities (skills and thieving)

Baron’s possessions cards

Cursed and special relic cards

How To Setup Five Ravens

To set up Five Ravens, each player starts with the same nine cards, which are the raven cards. These cards have two abilities: a skill that can be used during the round and a thieving action. The baron’s possessions, including relics and treasures, are shuffled and placed face down. A set number of these possessions is revealed at the start of each round. Players then strategize which raven to use for their skill and which to commit to thieving.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Deck Building: Players add relics to their deck, which is reshuffled when it runs out.

Tableau Building: Players place cards in front of them to manage their relics and raven abilities.

Thieving: Ravens can be used to steal relics, with higher-ranked thieves having priority.

Capturing Ravens: Ravens that steal relics are captured, triggering additional effects.

Game Objective:

Accumulate the most valuable relics by strategically using raven abilities and managing captured ravens.

Player Experience

Playing Five Ravens is an exercise in strategic minimalism. The game is lean on setting but rich in decision-making. Each round, players must balance using their ravens for skills or thieving, knowing that captured ravens can provide additional benefits but are removed from the game. This creates a series of tense flashpoints where players must weigh risks and rewards, making the game engaging and challenging.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games last only 15-20 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Despite its short length, the game offers complex decision-making.

Minimalist Design: The game’s aesthetic is simple yet evocative, with white-on-black cards.

High Replayability: The random draw of relics and the strategic use of raven abilities ensure different experiences each game.

Cons

Limited Theme Development: The game’s setting is sparse, leaving much to the player’s imagination.

Captured Ravens Mechanics: While interesting, the capture mechanic can be frustrating if it removes key ravens early in the game.

Luck Element: The random draw of relics can sometimes favor one player over others.

Personal Thoughts on Five Ravens

Five Ravens is ideal for players who enjoy quick, strategic games with a blend of deck-building and tableau-building mechanics. It’s perfect for those who appreciate minimalist design and are willing to fill in the narrative gaps with their own imagination. The game is a great addition to any collection, especially for fans of Grant Rodiek’s other works, such as Fort. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a game with a rich, developed theme or those who prefer longer, more immersive gaming experiences.

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