Catalyst (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Catalyst is a card game designed by Yann Tisseron and released in in 2018. The game features open drafting and set collection mechanics, making it a strategic and engaging experience for players. With a playtime of 20-40 minutes and suitable for ages 10 and up, Catalyst is a great choice for families and casual gamers looking for a fun and challenging game to enjoy.

Game Components of Catalyst

Characters: A variety of Catalyst characters, each with unique abilities and costs.

Buildings: Four distinct building types that provide additional effects when a Catalyst is activated within them.

Combo Tokens: Small tokens that allow players to activate multiple Catalysts in a single turn.

Gold and Victory Points: Used for hiring Catalysts, buying buildings, and scoring victory points.

Victory Point Cards: Randomly selected at the start of the game, defining how buildings give bonus points based on activated Catalysts.

How To Setup Catalyst

To set up the game, players begin by placing the available Catalyst characters on the board, with price modifiers affecting each position. Each player starts with a set amount of gold to mitigate the first-mover advantage. Buildings are also made available for purchase, with their prices increasing each time a player buys one.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

**Game Mechanics:**

Hiring Catalysts: Players choose to hire new Catalysts, each with its own abilities and costs.

Collecting Contributions: Players can collect gold equal to the cost of the most expensive Catalyst on the board.

Activating Catalysts: Players activate their hired Catalysts to perform actions, generate gold, or gain combo tokens.

Using Buildings: Buildings provide additional effects and bonus victory points when a Catalyst is activated within them.

Combo Tokens: Allow players to activate multiple Catalysts in a single turn.

**Game Objective:**
The objective is to accumulate the most victory points by strategically hiring and activating Catalysts, using buildings effectively, and optimizing combo tokens.

Player Experience

Playing “Catalyst” is a dynamic and strategic experience. Players must balance their decisions between hiring powerful but expensive Catalysts, collecting gold, and activating Catalysts to maximize their score. The game’s combo system adds a layer of complexity and excitement, allowing for intricate strategies and surprising outcomes.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a deep and engaging gameplay mechanic with plenty of strategic options.

Combo System: The combo tokens allow for creative and powerful combinations of Catalyst activations.

Building Mechanics: Buildings add an extra layer of strategy and bonus points.

Balanced Starting Gold: Mitigates the first-mover advantage, ensuring a fair start for all players.

Cons

Complexity: The game can be complex, especially for new players, due to the multiple mechanics and strategies involved.

Early Game Gold Management: Managing gold effectively in the early game is crucial but can be challenging.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, which may limit its appeal for larger groups.

Personal Thoughts on Catalyst

“Catalyst” is ideal for players who enjoy strategy and drafting games with a high level of complexity and depth. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate building intricate combos and managing resources effectively. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game players due to its complexity, experienced players will find it engaging and challenging.

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