Coldwater Crown (2017) Board Game

Coldwater Crown is a board game that was released in 2017 and designed by Ryan Coleman and Beth Sobel. The game is set in the world of competitive fishing, where players compete to catch the best fish and earn the most points.

Game Components of Coldwater Crown

Central fishing map featuring The Shore, The Lake, and The River

Individual player boards resembling tackle boxes with 4 bait spaces each

Wooden tokens for player actions

Colored bait tokens (6 different colors)

Fish cards with weight ranges

“Master angler” cards for additional challenges

Port tokens for refilling bait

How To Setup Coldwater Crown

To set up the game, players start by placing the central fishing map in the middle of the table. Each player receives an individual tackle box board and places their wooden token on the starting space. The fish cards are shuffled and placed face down on their respective bodies of water. Bait tokens are randomly drawn from a black bag and distributed to players’ tackle boxes. “Master angler” cards are also shuffled and placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players use a single wooden token to perform actions on the central map.
– Place token on a colored icon to remove bait from the player board.
– Retrieve a different token to take a corresponding action.

Set Collection: Collect specific fish, target weights, and “master angler” cards for points.

Resource Management: Manage bait to catch fish efficiently.

Objective: Catch the biggest fish in each body of water and complete challenges to earn the most points.

Player Experience

In **Coldwater Crown**, players compete to catch the biggest fish across three bodies of water. The game feels like a fishing competition, with a steady progression of points throughout the hour-long gameplay. Players must strategically manage their bait to catch fish, as inefficient management can result in wasted turns. The “master angler” cards add an extra layer of challenge and strategy. The game has a relaxing atmosphere but maintains tension as players monitor their competition to stay ahead.

Pros

Theme Integration: The weight of each fish fits the theme well, adding realism to the fishing experience.

Straightforward Mechanics: Simple to learn, with enough depth for multiple plays.

Competitive Feel: Feels like a genuine fishing competition.

Artwork: Great artwork enhances the overall experience.

Cons

Initial Learning Curve: Players need a couple of rounds to understand the mechanics fully.

Gem Tokens: The bait tokens, resembling gems, feel somewhat out of place.

Personal Thoughts on Coldwater Crown

**Coldwater Crown** is ideal for those who enjoy worker placement games with a unique twist and a strong thematic integration. It’s a great choice for families and casual gamers who appreciate a game that balances simplicity with strategic depth. While the fishing theme might not appeal to everyone initially, the game’s engaging mechanics and competitive feel make it a hidden gem in the board game hobby. If you’re looking for a game that blends resource management with a fun, competitive atmosphere, **Coldwater Crown** is definitely worth a try.

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