Weavlings in the Wilds (2022) Board Game

Weavlings in the Wilds is a solo board game designed by Jonathan Flike and released in in 2022. The game falls under the fantasy and puzzle categories, offering players a unique and challenging gaming experience. With a focus on action points, chaining, grid movement, and solo gameplay, “Weavlings in the Wilds” provides an engaging and immersive experience for players.

Game Components of Weavlings in the Wilds

91 cards, including Weavlings, Beasties, Wilds Spirits, Traps, and Events.

1 rulebook.

Optional expansions: Zadarra’s Baubles and Brews, Star-touched Predators.

How To Setup Weavlings in the Wilds

To set up the game, shuffle the deck and deal the cards into a 4×3 facedown grid. Replace any card in the grid with the Trapper card, discarding the displaced card. Flip the remaining eleven cards face up and resolve any Events immediately. This setup prepares the game board for the start of your adventure.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective

Collect 10 Weavlings by offering them meat collected from trapping Beasties before receiving 10 wounds or losing 10 Weavlings.

Gameplay Mechanics

Phases of Play: Each round consists of four phases – Trapper, Lure Weavlings, Beasties Feed, and Travel.

Trapper: Take up to three actions (move, collect traps, or use traps). Collect Wilds Spirits without using an action.

Lure Weavlings: Use meat to capture Weavlings on the board.

Beasties Feed: Resolve Beastie attacks on Weavlings. Unsatisfied Beasties remain on the board.

Travel: Remove the bottom row of the grid, collapsing the remaining cards and filling empty spaces with new cards.

Deck Milling: The deck is exhausted through Events and player actions, leading to card rotations that increase the difficulty.

Card Rotation: When the deck is reshuffled, collected Weavlings and wounds rotate, potentially increasing wounds or requiring more meat to keep Weavlings.

Multi-use Cards: Beasties function as hazards, meat resources, and wounds. Weavlings serve as population to collect or lost population.

Player Experience

Weavlings in the Wilds offers a dynamic and challenging solo experience, blending luck and strategy. Players must think several moves ahead to manage the grid, traps, and resources effectively. The game’s theme, involving cute but rebellious Weavlings and their quest for meat, adds a whimsical touch to the gameplay. The multi-use cards and deck milling mechanics ensure each playthrough is unique and engaging.

Pros

Replayability: The game offers multiple difficulties and randomized game states, ensuring varied playthroughs.

Strategic Depth: Players need to balance resource collection, trap placement, and Weavling management, making it a thinky game.

Compact: The game is designed for quick, lunch-break sessions or longer strategic plays.

Cons

Luck Factor: The randomized deck can sometimes lead to unavoidable losses or sudden spikes in difficulty.

Limited Wound Mitigation: There are few ways to get rid of wounds, making them a significant threat as the game progresses.

Personal Thoughts on Weavlings in the Wilds

Weavlings in the Wilds is ideal for solo gamers who enjoy strategic card games with a touch of whimsy. It’s perfect for those looking for a game that can be played in short sessions but also offers enough complexity for multiple playthroughs. The game’s balance of luck and strategy makes it appealing to players who enjoy adapting to changing game states. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer games with minimal randomness or those seeking a cooperative or multiplayer experience.

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