Hermetica (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Hermetica is an abstract strategy board game released in 2018 for 2 players. Designed by an uncredited individual and featuring artwork by Iff Studios, this game is perfect for players aged 10 and up. With a runtime of 10-45 minutes, Hermetica challenges players with its action points, grid movement, and hexagon grid mechanics.

Game Components of Hermetica

Adept: Each player has one Adept, which can move 2 spaces per turn and place a Shield.

Shield: Deployed by the Adept, Shields can block or capture elemental pieces.

Elemental Pieces: Each player has three Water, Fire, and Earth pieces, each with unique abilities.

Water: Moves until it hits an obstacle, can move units or barriers.

Fire: Moves 4 spaces, can move over barriers or Shields, and shoot fire to destroy enemy units.

Earth: Moves 3 spaces, can push and crush enemy units.

Barriers and Walls: Obstacles that affect unit movements and interactions.

Reference Cards: For each type of piece to help with gameplay.

How To Setup Hermetica

To setup Hermetica, players first place the game board, which features a dynamic terrain with barriers and walls. Each player chooses to play as either the Sun or the Moon and places their Adept at their starting area. The elemental pieces are placed within reach, and players ensure they understand the unique abilities of each piece.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Structure: Each player has 3 action points per turn to move units, bring new pieces into the game, or use special abilities.

Unit Activation: Each piece can only be activated once per turn.

Objective: The goal is to get your Adept into the other player’s starting area (Horizon).

Interactions:
– Water can move around or reposition barriers and units.
– Fire can move over barriers and destroy units with its fire ability.
– Earth can push units and crush them into walls or barriers.
– Shields can block or capture enemy units.

Player Experience

Hermetica offers a deep and strategic gameplay experience, often described as a “brain burner” due to the complex mini-puzzles within each turn. Players need to plan several turns ahead, utilizing the unique abilities of their units to create effective combos. The game has a slight learning curve, but the inclusion of reference cards helps players quickly understand the rules.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Encourages planning and tactical thinking.

Unique Abilities: Each unit has distinct and interactive abilities.

Dynamic Terrain: Barriers and walls add complexity to the game.

High Replayability: Different strategies and combos each game.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Initial games may be challenging to understand.

Complex Rules: Requires time to grasp all unit interactions and abilities.

Personal Thoughts on Hermetica

Hermetica is ideal for fans of abstract strategy games who enjoy tactical depth and complex interactions. It is perfect for players looking for a game that challenges their strategic thinking and encourages creative combos. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it is a gem for those who relish in the intricacies of strategic gameplay.

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