Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure (2016) Board Game

Clank! is a deck-building adventure board game that was released in in 2016. Designed by Paul Dennen and published by Dire Wolf, it has gained popularity for its unique blend of deck-building mechanics and dungeon-crawling elements. With its fantasy theme and engaging gameplay, Clank! has become a favorite among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure

Double-sided game board

180+ game cards

80+ tokens

30 cubes and 1 player marker in 4 colors

24 dragon cubes

Cloth Dragon Bag

Dragon Marker

4 Thief meeples

120 player Clank cubes

Gold piece tokens

Major and Minor Secret tokens

Artifact tokens

Crown tokens

Backpack tokens

Master Key tokens

Monkey Idol tokens

Mastery tokens

Rulebook.

How To Setup Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure

To set up the game, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding pieces, including a 10-card starter deck containing Burgles, Stumbles, Sidestep, and Scramble cards. Players start with 5 cards in hand. The game board is set up with the Market spaces and the 7 Artifacts placed in their designated rooms. The dragon’s 24 black cubes are put in the Dragon Bag, and the Dungeon Deck is created by shuffling the remaining Clank cards. Six cards are drawn from the Dungeon Deck to form the Dungeon Row, and any cards with the dragon attack symbol are replaced. Each player places their pawn at the entrance of the dungeon.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck Building: Acquire new cards to expand your deck and enhance your abilities.

Card Drafting: Select cards from the Dungeon Deck to add to your deck.

Player Elimination: Players can be knocked out if they accumulate 10 damage or fail to escape within 4 turns after the first player exits.

Point-to-Point Movement: Navigate through the dungeon to reach valuable artifacts.

Objective: Collect the most valuable treasures by stealing artifacts and escaping the dungeon alive. The game ends when all players are either knocked out or have escaped.

Player Experience

Playing **Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure** is an exhilarating experience that balances strategy and luck. Players must navigate the dungeon, avoiding the dragon’s attention while collecting valuable loot. The game’s double-sided board and random placement of treasures ensure high replayability. The tension builds as the dragon’s rage increases, making each move critical to survival. Players need to manage their deck efficiently, balance risk and reward, and timing their escape perfectly to win.

Pros

High Replayability: Random treasure placement and a double-sided board offer varied gameplay experiences.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines deck-building with point-to-point movement and press-your-luck elements.

Tense Atmosphere: The dragon’s rage mechanism creates a thrilling and tense game environment.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but requires strategic thinking to win.

Cons

Luck Factor: Some players find the game too light on strategy and heavy on luck.

Limited Early Game Actions: Starting decks can limit early game options.

No Reward for Early Escape: Some players feel there is no incentive to escape the dungeon early.

Personal Thoughts on Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure

**Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure** is perfect for those who enjoy light to medium-weight deck-building games with a strong thematic element. It’s ideal for groups of 2-4 players looking for a fun, competitive experience that doesn’t require an entire evening to play. While it may not appeal to fans of heavier, more strategic games, it offers a delightful mix of adventure and strategy that makes it a great addition to any board game collection. If you’re ready to delve into a dungeon, outsmart a dragon, and escape with the most valuable treasures, **Clank** is your game.

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