Thunderstone Advance: Numenera (2013) Board Game

Thunderstone Advance: Numenera is a standalone deck-building card game that was released in in 2013. It is set in the world of Numenera, a science fantasy tabletop role-playing game created by Monte Cook. The game allows players to explore the mysterious and ancient ruins of the Ninth World while battling monsters and collecting powerful artifacts known as Thunderstones.

Game Components of Thunderstone Advance: Numenera

Cards: Heroes, items, and monsters, including new Doomladen mechanics.

Heroes: New characters with unique abilities.

Monsters: Various groups unified against the players through the Doomladen mechanic.

Setting: Based on Monte Cook’s Numenera RPG.

How To Setup Thunderstone Advance: Numenera

To set up the game, players first prepare the dungeon deck by shuffling and randomizing the monster groups. Each player starts with a beginner deck of basic cards and selects a hero to play as. The market deck, containing items and other cards, is also shuffled and prepared. Players then draw their starting hands, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck-Building: Players build and customize their decks by acquiring new cards.

Dungeon Delving: Players explore a dungeon, fighting monsters and collecting loot.

Resource Management: Managing health, attack points, and other resources to defeat monsters.

Objective: The goal is to defeat the final boss, known as the Doom, while managing resources and building a strong deck.

Player Experience

Thunderstone Advance: Numenera offers a engaging blend of deck-building and dungeon exploration. Players must strategically build their decks and manage resources to overcome the challenges of the dungeon. The game features a high level of replayability due to the randomization of the dungeon and market decks.

Pros

High Replayability: Randomized dungeon and market decks ensure varied gameplay.

Strategic Depth: Combines deck-building with resource management and strategic combat.

New Setting: The Numenera setting adds a fresh and interesting backdrop to the game.

Standalone: Can be played independently or combined with other Thunderstone Advance versions.

Cons

Complexity: The game can be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous mechanics and card interactions.

Setup Time: Preparing the game can take a significant amount of time.

Compatibility: Not fully compatible with the newer Thunderstone Quest series.

Personal Thoughts on Thunderstone Advance: Numenera

Thunderstone Advance: Numenera is ideal for fans of deck-building games and those who enjoy strategic gameplay with a fantasy/science fiction twist. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the depth and complexity of the Thunderstone series. However, new players may find it challenging to dive into due to the complexity and the need to understand the various mechanics and card interactions. If you’re looking for a streamlined experience, you might want to consider the newer Thunderstone Quest series, but for those invested in the original series, Numenera offers a compelling and engaging addition.

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