Draconis Invasion (2016) Board Game

Draconis Invasion is a fantasy-themed card game released in in 2016. Designed by Juan Pablo Fernández, Vuk Kostic, Manthos Lappas, Grzegorz Pedrycz, and Unrealsmoker, the game is published by KEJI Inc. It is a deck-building game that provides players with immersive gameplay set in a world of dragons, heroes, and epic battles.

Game Components of Draconis Invasion

Over 500 beautifully illustrated cards, including Action cards, Defender cards, Campaign cards, Terror cards, and Event cards.

Three different card sizes.

Imperial Guard and gold cards.

Terror Die and Event Deck.

Player aids explaining the game flow.

How To Setup Draconis Invasion

To set up Draconis Invasion, each player starts with a handful of Imperial Guard cards and some gold. The market is populated with Action and Defender cards. The Event Deck and Invader cards are prepared, and each player receives a set of secret Campaign cards. The game uses an ABCDEF system to guide the setup and gameplay flow.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

ABCDEF System: On each turn, a player can Play an Action card (A), then choose one of Buy a card (B), Draft two Campaign Cards (C), Defeat an invader (D), or Eliminate a card from their hand (E), and finally Forward a gold card (F).

Defeating Invaders: Players use Defender cards and gold to defeat invaders, each with a specific health and reveal effect.

Terror Mechanic: Discarding Terror cards increases the Terror count, triggering Event cards that affect the game leader.

Campaign Cards: Secret cards that reward points for killing specific invaders.

Objective: Defeat six invaders or exhaust the Event Deck to win the game.

Player Experience

Draconis Invasion is a competitive game where players build their decks to match the tempo of the game. It requires strategic thinking about the upfront cost of Defender cards and the long-term effects of Terror cards. The game is relatively easy to learn due to its logical and straightforward flow, making it a good entry-level deck-builder. However, it may not offer enough complexity for experienced players.

Pros

Easy to learn with a logical game flow.

Incorporates hidden Campaign cards for additional strategy.

Uses a unique Terror Die and Event card system to add pressure.

Beautifully illustrated cards.

Suitable for a wide range of player counts (1-6).

Cons

May be too simple for experienced deck-building enthusiasts.

Cards in the base game stick too close to traditional deck-builder tropes.

Some players find the Terror card mechanic annoying.

Personal Thoughts on Draconis Invasion

Draconis Invasion is ideal for those new to deck-building games or looking for a fast-paced, competitive experience. While it may not delve deeply into innovative mechanics for veteran players, it provides a solid foundation for learning the genre. The addition of the Wrath expansion can enhance the game by introducing more complex and powerful card abilities. Overall, it’s a great choice for those who enjoy medieval fantasy settings and competitive deck-building challenges.

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