Wyrmspan (2024) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Wyrmspan is a card game set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of dragon trainers. Designed by Connie Vogelmann and published by Stonemaier Games, Wyrmspan was released in 2024 to critical acclaim for its unique gameplay mechanics and beautiful artwork by Clémentine Campardou.

Game Components of Wyrmspan

2 rulebooks (multiplayer and solo)

1 dragon fact book (32 pages)

5 player mats

5 adventurer meeples and 5 guild tokens

183 dragon cards (148 full-grown dragons and 35 hatchlings; 57x87mm)

75 cave cards (57x57mm)

4 dragon guilds

55 speckled egg tokens

10 double-sided objective tiles

45 shiny cardboard coins

10 quick-start cards (2 cards per player; 57x87mm)

17 Automa solo mode cards (57x87mm)

1 Dragon Guild board

4 double-sided Dragon Guild tiles

1 card display board

1 round tracker board

Coins, tokens, and markers (meat, gold, crystal, milk, and multiplier tokens)

5 adventurers and 40 player markers

2 token trays with lids

1 score pad

How To Setup Wyrmspan

To set up Wyrmspan, each player starts with a player mat featuring three initial excavated spaces: the Crimson Cavern, the Golden Grotto, and the Amethyst Abyss. Players receive their adventurer meeple and guild token. The dragon cards, cave cards, and objective tiles are shuffled and placed within reach. Resources and eggs are distributed according to the setup rules. Each player gets two quick-start cards to help them begin. The game includes detailed instructions in the rulebooks for both multiplayer and solo modes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Engine-building, resource management

Mechanics: Hand management, once-per-game abilities, open drafting, solo/solitaire game, track movement, turn order: progressive

Objective: Players aim to build a sanctuary for dragons, excavate caves, and entice dragons to live there. The goal is to chain together powerful abilities, earn the favor of the Dragon Guild, and accumulate victory points.

Gameplay: Players excavate additional spaces in their sanctuary, gather resources, and use their adventurer to explore and gain benefits. The game features a Guild Track system, hatchlings with multi-step activation, and end-game bonuses.

Player Experience

Wyrmspan offers a engaging and complex gameplay experience, building upon the foundations of Wingspan but with a unique dragon-themed twist. Players find the game easy to learn, especially for those familiar with Wingspan, but it still challenges decision-making skills. The game’s pacing improves as players become more experienced, particularly in assessing the benefits of the Explore action. The artwork and diverse dragon designs are highly praised, although some players note minor frustrations with card stacking.

Pros

Complex yet familiar mechanics: Builds upon Wingspan’s engine-building but adds new layers of complexity.

Diverse and engaging artwork: Unique and well-researched dragon designs.

Variable player powers: Hatchlings and guild advancements offer diverse strategies.

Improved pacing with experience: Games become quicker as players understand the mechanics better.

Cons

Card stacking issues: Some players find it fiddly to stack dragon cards on top of cave cards.

Initial learning curve: New players may be cautious in their first few rounds to ensure they follow the rules correctly.

Artistic preferences: Some reviewers were not fond of the aesthetic and found the dragon information book unnecessary.

Personal Thoughts on Wyrmspan

Wyrmspan is ideal for fans of engine-building and resource management games, particularly those who enjoyed Wingspan but are looking for a new challenge. It caters to both experienced gamers and newcomers, offering a solo mode and a gradual learning curve. The game’s theme of building a dragon sanctuary adds a fresh and exciting twist, making it a great addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer simpler, more straightforward gameplay or have strong preferences against fantasy themes.

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