Nomads (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Nomads is a board game released in 2017 by Ludonaute. Designed by Gary Kim, Nomads is a fantasy-themed game that incorporates elements of Mancala, set collection, and variable player powers. With stunning artwork by Clément Masson, Ian Parovel, Radja Sauperamaniane, Andreï Tatarchenko, and Swann Tolazzi, Nomads offers players a visually immersive gaming experience.

Game Components of Nomads

1 Game Board with a 3-D cardboard campfire

4 Song Cards

12 Opal Moon Tiles

98 Story Tiles (fragments of seven fabulous legends)

19 Wooden Discs (including 8 Blue Discs for the Nomads and colored discs for each player)

28 Legend Cards (4 cards per legend)

2 Wild Tiles

5 Adventurer Cards with special abilities

1 Lys Token

Stickers for the player discs.

How To Setup Nomads

To set up Nomads, first assemble the game board with its campfire. Each player chooses an Adventurer card and takes the matching colored discs. Players place their discs around the campfire in a clockwise order, ensuring no space has more than four discs during setup. Non-played Adventurers’ discs are placed by the player to the right of the first player. The game is ready to start once all discs are placed and the necessary components are distributed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Tile Drafting: Players collect story tiles based on the discs placed around the campfire.

Set Collecting: Gather sets of story tiles to exchange for point cards.

Strategic Placement: Use discs to block opponents or gain advantageous tile placements.

Scoring Rounds: Triggered by collecting Opal Moon tiles, players score points from their collected cards and penalize leftover tiles.

Game Objective

The objective is to collect and complete legends by gathering story tiles and exchanging them for point cards. The player with the most points, earned from song and legend cards and Opal Moon tiles, and with the fewest leftover story or joker tiles, wins the game.

Player Experience

Nomads offers a dynamic and engaging experience, keeping all players involved through its unique mechanics. The game balances luck and strategy, allowing players to make strategic decisions about when to collect tiles and when to trigger scoring rounds. Each player has a special ability, adding a layer of complexity and variety to the game. The colorful and whimsical theme, although somewhat disconnected from the gameplay, enhances the overall fun and approachable nature of the game.

Pros

High Player Involvement: Mechanics ensure all players are engaged throughout the game.

Balanced Strategy and Luck: A mix of strategic decisions and random elements keeps the game exciting.

Special Abilities: Each character has unique powers that add depth to the game.

Colorful and Approachable: The game is visually appealing and easy to learn.

Cons

Lack of Scoring Tools: Players need to use pen and paper to keep track of scores.

Character Balance: Some characters’ abilities are more powerful in smaller player counts, which can affect game balance.

Personal Thoughts on Nomads

Nomads is an excellent choice for those who enjoy strategic yet approachable games. It’s ideal for players looking for a game that combines tile drafting and set collecting with a touch of strategic blocking and planning. While it may not offer a deeply immersive storytelling experience, it provides a fun and engaging gameplay experience suitable for a wide range of players. However, it’s important to note that the game’s balance can be affected by the number of players, so selecting characters wisely is key.

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