Almanac: The Dragon Road (2020) Board Game

Almanac: The Dragon Road is a fantasy board game released in 2020 by Kolossal Games. Designed by Scott Almes, the game takes players on a journey through a magical world filled with dragons, quests, and adventure. With beautiful artwork by Chris Byer and Jacqui Davis, the game immerses players in a rich fantasy setting.

Game Components of Almanac: The Dragon Road

Workers: Each player starts with six workers, but only has access to three at the beginning.

Caravan Card: Holds resources.

Shield: Matches the player’s color and conceals their gold.

Contract Cards: Two unfulfilled contracts at the start.

Encounter Cards: Feature blessings and curses.

Guard Tokens: Supplement player strength in fights.

Game Book: A central component with 17 locations, each on a two-page spread.

Resource Tokens: Used for trading and other game mechanics.

Dice: Used for resolving certain encounters and challenges.

How To Setup Almanac: The Dragon Road

To set up the game, each player receives a set of workers, a Caravan card, a shield, and two Contract cards. The shield is used to conceal the player’s gold. The game book is opened to the starting location, the Outpost. Players bid to become the Guide for the first round, which involves revealing an amount of gold to determine who leads the group.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place their workers to perform various actions.

Bidding Mechanic: Players bid gold to become the Guide, who chooses the next location.

Encounter System: Encounter cards introduce challenges or benefits.

Resource Management: Players manage resources and gold.

Combat Mechanic: Players use shields and Guard tokens to defend against threats.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate Fame points by visiting locations, completing contracts, and managing resources efficiently.

Player Experience

In **Almanac: The Dragon Road**, players embark on an adventure along the Dragon Road, visiting six out of 17 possible locations each game. The game is dynamic, with each location offering new mechanics and opportunities. The Guide token adds a strategic layer, as players bid to lead the group and choose the next destination. Encounters keep the game fresh and exciting, with a mix of blessings and curses. The game supports 2-4 players, with the four-player experience offering particularly high tension and dramatic moments due to the increased competition for resources and space.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: Each game features different locations and encounters.

Strategic Depth: Bidding and resource management add complex decision-making.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 12 and above and accommodates larger families.

Legacy Vibes: Offers a condensed legacy-like experience without the long commitment.

High Replayability: 17 locations provide numerous combinations for varied gameplay.

Cons

Initial Complexity: May require multiple plays to fully understand all mechanics.

Resource Management Pressure: Increased player count can make resource management more challenging.

No Traditional Legacy Elements: Lack of card tearing and stickers may disappoint some legacy game fans.

Personal Thoughts on Almanac: The Dragon Road

**Almanac: The Dragon Road** is perfect for families and groups of friends who enjoy worker placement games with a blend of strategy and adventure. It offers a unique, condensed legacy-like experience that can be completed in a relatively short time frame, making it accessible to a wider range of players. The game’s dynamic nature and high replayability ensure that no two games are the same, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. If you’re looking for a game that combines elements of trade, travel, and adventure with a touch of legacy gameplay, **Almanac: The Dragon Road** is an excellent choice.

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