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The Deadlies (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

The Deadlies board game was released in 2020 by Smirk & Dagger Games. It was designed by Paul Saxberg and illustrated by Leah Fuhrman. The game falls under the categories of Animals, Card Game, and Humor, with gameplay centered around hand management and take-that mechanics. The game is suitable for players aged 10 and above, and can accommodate 3 to 6 players.

Game Components of The Deadlies

  • Deck of cards** representing the seven deadly sins: Lust, Greed, Pride, Envy, Sloth, Wrath, and Gluttony.
  • Wickedness tokens** for tracking hand size reductions.
  • Halo card** which allows immediate hand discard.
  • Corruption card**, a wild card that can act as any suit.
  • Purity card**, used to pick up the Halo.

    How To Setup The Deadlies

    Setup is straightforward: each player receives a double-sided Wickedness token and six cards. The Halo card is placed in the middle of the table, and the remaining cards form the draw pile. This simple setup gets the game ready to go quickly.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Objective: Empty your hand three times to win.
  • Card Play:
    – Play any number of cards in the same suit, with the same number regardless of suit, or in a straight regardless of suit.
    – The top card of the set played activates its suit’s special ability.
    – Examples include:

  • Greed: Forces players to draw multiple cards, with a risk of receiving more cards themselves.
  • Sloth: Temporarily prevents a player from discarding cards.
  • Wrath: Engages in a card-drawing duel with another player.
  • Hand Size Reduction: Each time a player empties their hand, their new starting hand size decreases by two cards (6, 4, 2, 0).
  • Special Cards:
  • Purity: Allows a player to pick up the Halo card.
  • Corruption: Acts as any suit and takes on its effect.

    Player Experience

    The Deadlies offers a fun and engaging experience with a unique blend of strategy and luck. The game’s thematic integrity is notable, with each sin’s ability reflecting its nature. For example, Greed can bury you in cards, while Wrath can lead to a back-and-forth card-drawing battle. The dynamic of watching the game swing between players, with hand sizes fluctuating, adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability.

    Pros

  • Thematic Integrity: The game’s mechanics are closely tied to the theme of the seven deadly sins.
  • Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to players of all ages.
  • Strategic Depth: Each sin’s ability offers different strategic choices.
  • Family-Friendly: Despite the sin theme, the game features whimsical and non-scandalous artwork.

    Cons

  • Repetitive at Times: The game can feel repetitive after several plays.
  • Not Ideal for 3 Players: The game is more enjoyable with 4 or 5 players, as targeting becomes more varied.

    Personal Thoughts on The Deadlies

    The Deadlies is a great addition to any family game collection or for casual gamers. It combines classic card game mechanics with unique thematic elements, making it both fun and strategic. While it may lose some shine after multiple plays, it remains an enjoyable and quick game that is easy to pick up and play. The game’s suitability for families is a significant plus, despite its theme, thanks to its whimsical art and engaging gameplay.

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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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