Valda (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Valda is a board game released in 2019 by Bannan Games. It is designed by Nathan Vermeulen and features artwork by Matthew Mizak and Batist Vermeulen. The game falls into the categories of Ancient, City Building, Dice, Fantasy, and Mythology, offering players a unique and engaging experience.

Game Components of Valda

Game Board: A world map of Midgard and Asgard, including the tree of life, Yggdrasil.

Player Boards: 5 boards, each in a different color, tracking player phases, temples, and resources.

Player Pawns: 5 pawns and a drakkar ship pawn for round tracking.

Dice: 9 dice in three colors (blue, yellow, white) indicating resources or followers.

Cards: 150 playing cards, divided into two stacks.

Resource Components: 90 components including drops, gold, and diamonds.

Temple Figures: 45 figures in 5 colors for each player.

Blocks: 55 blocks in 5 colors for tracking various elements.

How To Setup Valda

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the table. Each player places two small temple figures in their village to indicate mines and blood drills. Place all pawns on the ‘0’ tile of the Yggdrasil score tracker. Position the drakkar ship pawn at the bottom of the world map to track rounds. Shuffle the base deck of cards without the god images and place it next to the game board. Sort the second stack of cards with god images separately.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Collect as many followers as possible over 6 rounds to become a god.

Mechanics:

Resource Management: Manage resources like divine blood, gold, and diamonds.

Card Play: Use cards to gain advantages, build temples, and recruit followers.

Combat: Engage in battles to defeat enemies.

Temple Building: Construct temples to gain advantages in different god domains.

Round Tracking: Use the drakkar ship pawn to track the rounds.

Player Experience

In **Valda**, players embark on a strategic journey through a mythic world, navigating the complexities of resource management, card play, and combat. The game requires a balance of short-term tactical decisions and long-term strategic planning to accumulate followers and build temples. With its rich Norse mythology setting, **Valda** offers an immersive experience that challenges players to outmaneuver each other in their quest for divinity.

Pros

Engaging Mythology: Richly detailed Norse mythology setting.

Strategic Depth: Combines resource management, card play, and combat for a complex yet rewarding experience.

Replayability: High replay value due to the variety of cards and player actions.

Visuals: Beautiful illustrations and well-designed components.

Cons

Learning Curve: The game has a steep learning curve due to its intricate mechanics.

Length: Games can be lengthy, especially with more players, lasting up to 2 hours for 4 players.

Luck Factor: The dice rolls and card draws introduce an element of luck that might frustrate some players.

Personal Thoughts on Valda

**Valda** is ideal for fans of strategic board games and those who appreciate games with deep mechanics and thematic depth. It is best suited for players who enjoy a mix of resource management, card play, and combat, and are willing to invest time in learning the game. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game players due to its complexity, **Valda** offers a highly engaging and rewarding experience for those who delve into its mythic world.

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