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Moonrakers (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

Moonrakers is a science fiction card game released in 2020 by Lunar Saloon. Set in a futuristic world where players take on the roles of spaceship captains, it combines elements of deck-building, dice rolling, and negotiation mechanics. The game has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay and strategic depth.

Game Components of Moonrakers

  • Command Terminal Board:** Each player starts with this board.
  • Starting Hand:** 10 basic action cards including Reactors, Thrusters, Shields, and Miss cards.
  • Crew Members:** Powerful cards that add to the player’s deck with special abilities.
  • Ship Parts:** Components that provide ongoing passive abilities and additional action cards.
  • Contracts:** Face-up contract cards with specific requirements and rewards.
  • Hazard Dice:** Used to introduce challenges and risks during contract attempts.
  • Coins and Objective Cards:** Used for rewards and tracking progress.
  • Armory and Dispatch Boards:** For organizing crew members, ship parts, and contracts.
  • Metal Coins and High-Quality Components:** Including well-designed inserts and unique illustrations for each card type.

    How To Setup Moonrakers

    To set up the game, place the armory board with available crew members and ship parts, and the dispatch board with face-up contracts. Each player receives a command terminal board, a starting hand of 10 cards, two coins, and two objective cards. Hazard dice and coins are placed within reach of all players. The game board is organized to keep different types of cards separate, using color-coded card backs to facilitate easy setup.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Objective:** The first player to reach 10 prestige points wins.
  • Turn Structure:**
    – Choose a contract to attempt alone or with allies.
    – Negotiate rewards and risks with allies.
    – Roll hazard dice and play action cards to fulfill contract requirements.
    – Distribute rewards based on negotiations if the contract is successful.
    – Purchase crew members or ship parts using credits.

  • Contract Completion:**
    – Contracts require specific symbols and card plays.
    – Hazard dice introduce risks that must be mitigated with Shields.
    – Players can stay at base instead of attempting a contract to draw new objective cards, collect credits, and discard their hand.

    Player Experience

    Moonrakers offers a highly interactive experience where players are constantly negotiating and strategizing. The game demands active participation from all players, whether they are the mission leader or allies. The deck-building aspect allows for quick cycling through cards, making new crew members and ship parts quickly accessible. This creates a dynamic environment where alliances are temporary and strategic negotiations are crucial. The game can feel overwhelming initially, especially with five players, but it becomes engaging once players understand the rules.

    Pros

  • Engaging Negotiation Mechanics:** Encourages constant interaction and strategy.
  • Dynamic Deck-Building:** Quick card cycling and powerful crew members and ship parts.
  • High Replayability:** Over 184 billion possible combinations of decks and ship builds.
  • High-Quality Components:** Metal coins, well-designed inserts, and unique illustrations.
  • Quick Teach:** The game can be taught in less than 10 minutes.

    Cons

  • Limited Variety in Crew Cards:** Players often wish for more variety in crew cards.
  • Potential for Inevitable Winner:** The winner can sometimes be clear in the last round.
  • Contract Overload:** Too many contracts available at once can be overwhelming.

    Personal Thoughts on Moonrakers

    Moonrakers is an excellent choice for groups that enjoy negotiation and deck-building games. It offers a unique blend of mechanics that keep players engaged and strategizing throughout. While it may benefit from more variety in crew cards and could handle more players, the current design provides a robust and enjoyable experience. This game is ideal for fans of semi-cooperative games and those who appreciate the challenge of building alliances and managing powerful decks. If you’re looking for a game that combines interesting decisions with high player interaction, Moonrakers is definitely worth trying.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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