Capo Dei Capi (2013) Board Game

Capo Dei Capi is a 2-player board game released in 2013, designed by Giorgio De Michele. The game falls under the categories of Dice and Mafia, and it is published by Dr. Finn’s Games. With a runtime of about 20 minutes and an age recommendation of 8 and up, Capo Dei Capi aims to immerse players in a strategic and competitive mafia-themed gameplay experience.

Game Components of Capo Dei Capi

2 six-sided dice

Area cards

Influence tokens

Bribe tokens

Value cubes

Mayor chips

Hit-man pawn

Extortion track

Player aids and FAQ

How To Setup Capo Dei Capi

To set up Capo Dei Capi, players first lay out the area cards, which represent different territories in New York City. Each player starts with a set of influence tokens, bribe tokens, and mayor chips. The value cubes and hit-man pawn are placed within reach of both players. The extortion track is initialized, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: The goal is to have the most influence on area cards by the end of the game.

Dice Rolling: Players roll two six-sided dice to determine their actions.

Actions Based on Dice Rolls:
– Single numbers: Place influence tokens, move value cubes, or perform other actions based on the dice.
– Pairs: More powerful actions, but also riskier as rolling doubles can result in busting.
– Extortion Level: Increases with certain rolls, leading to busting if it exceeds 6.

Area Control: Players compete to have the most influence on each area card.

Push Your Luck: Players decide whether to roll again or stop to avoid busting.

Game End: The game ends when the stock of value cubes, bribe tokens, or influence tokens of any one value runs out.

Player Experience

Capo Dei Capi is a quick and engaging game that demands tactical decision-making despite its simple mechanics. Players must balance the risk of pushing their luck against the need to secure influence on the area cards. The game’s theme of rival mob families vying for control adds a fun and thematic layer, although the gameplay itself is more about dice rolling and area control than deep narrative engagement.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last 10-15 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules, but with enough depth for strategic play.

Two-Player Friendly: A rare and welcome feature in area control games.

Push Your Luck Mechanic: Adds excitement and unpredictability.

Good Component Quality: Nice presentation and player aids.

Cons

Confusing Dice Actions: The rules for determining actions based on dice rolls can be a bit wonky and require player aids.

Light Game: Not suitable for those seeking a more complex or lengthy gaming experience.

Luck-Dependent: Outcomes can be heavily influenced by dice rolls, which may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Capo Dei Capi

Capo Dei Capi is ideal for those looking for a quick, light, and engaging dice game that still requires strategic thinking. It’s perfect for a weeknight game session or as a filler between more complex games. While it may not satisfy players seeking deep narrative or complex mechanics, it fills a unique niche as a fun and accessible area control game for two players.

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