A War of Whispers (2019) Board Game

A War of Whispers is a board game that was released in 2019 by Starling Games. It is designed by Jeremy Stoltzfus and features artwork by Tomasz Jedruszek and Dann May. The game falls into the categories of fantasy, political, spies/secret agents, and wargame. With a runtime of 30-60 minutes, it is suitable for 2-4 players aged 14 and above.

Game Components of A War of Whispers

Player Boards: Each player has a loyalty track where they place their clan tokens.

Clan Tokens: Representing the five different empires, these tokens are placed on the player boards to determine scoring.

Agents: Used by players to perform actions on the board.

Action Spaces: Located on the circular board, these spaces allow players to take various actions such as adding units, moving units, attacking, and taking cards.

Empire Cards: Provide special abilities and powers.

Units and Banners: Used for area control on the board.

Strongholds: Can be added to allies for additional points.

How To Setup A War of Whispers

To set up the game, each player begins by secretly placing their clan tokens on their loyalty track, which has point values ranging from 4 to -1. The circular board is prepared with action spaces for each empire. Players receive their agents and the game is ready to start.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players influence the board by placing agents on action spaces to perform actions like adding units, moving units, and attacking.

Hidden Objectives: Players’ loyalties to the empires are secret until they choose to swap allegiances, which becomes public.

Action Placement: Players place two agents per turn on available action spaces, with the possibility of performing additional actions if spaces to the left are empty.

Empire Cards: Players can collect cards to use special abilities.

Objective: The goal is to have the most points at the end by aligning your loyalties with the dominant empires on the board.

Player Experience

Playing A War of Whispers is an exercise in cunning and strategic manipulation. Players must balance their secret loyalties with public actions, often relying on other players to advance their favored empires. The game encourages subtle plays and uneasy alliances, making each decision a delicate dance of risk and reward. The ability to swap allegiances adds a layer of complexity, as players must weigh the benefits of revealing their hand against the potential costs.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers deep strategic play despite its simple rules.

Dynamic Gameplay: Each game is unique due to the hidden objectives and shifting allegiances.

Engaging Mechanics: The ability to influence multiple empires and use special cards adds variety to the gameplay.

Short Playtime: The game lasts about an hour, making it accessible for a wide range of players.

Balanced Empires: Each empire has distinct strengths and weaknesses, adding asymmetry to the game.

Cons

Board Design: The board can be difficult to read due to its dark and cluttered design.

Component Quality: Some players might find the use of cubes instead of miniatures to be a drawback.

Two-Player Experience: The game’s dynamic is less engaging with only two players due to reduced interactions.

Personal Thoughts on A War of Whispers

A War of Whispers is ideal for players who enjoy area control and hidden objective games but are looking for something that doesn’t require direct conflict. It’s perfect for those who appreciate strategic manipulation and subtle gameplay. The game’s unique mechanics make it a great addition to any collection, especially for fans of complex, yet quick-to-play, board games. However, it may not be the best fit for conflict-averse gamers or those who prefer games with more direct interaction.

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