Aeon’s End: Outcasts (2020) Board Game

Aeon’s End: Outcasts is an expansion to the popular deck-building game Aeon’s End. Released in 2020, this expansion introduces new mages, nemesis, gems, relics, and spells to enhance gameplay and provide new challenges for players.

Game Components of Aeon’s End: Outcasts

Market cards: A new set of cards for players to purchase and enhance their deck.

Breach Mage characters: 8 new characters with unique abilities.

Nemesis cards: New Nemesis and their minions to battle.

Expedition decks: Additional cards to ensure variety in gameplay.

Campaign envelopes: Sealed envelopes containing progressive storyline and new content.

Rulebook: Detailed instructions and storyline booklets.

How To Setup Aeon’s End: Outcasts

Setting up Aeon’s End: Outcasts involves preparing the market deck, selecting Breach Mages, and choosing the Nemesis to battle. Players must also set up the Expedition deck and any additional campaign materials. The game introduces content gradually through sealed envelopes, similar to a mini-campaign format, which helps in easing players into new mechanics and story elements.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck-building: Players purchase cards to enhance their deck without shuffling when the deck runs out; instead, they flip the discard pile over.

Cooperative play: Players work together to defeat the Nemesis.

Character development: Breach Mages have unique abilities and can enhance their spell-casting capabilities.

Campaign play: A series of four consecutive Nemeses to defeat, with progressive storyline and new content.

Objective: Defeat the Nemesis to save the town or, in new scenarios, protect a key character in the Void.

Player Experience

Aeon’s End: Outcasts offers a complex and challenging experience, maintaining the high standard of the Aeon’s End series. The game is highly volatile, with dynamic deck-building and strategic depth. Players must balance purchases, build charges, and manage threats, making each session exciting but potentially frustrating due to the high difficulty level, especially for new players.

Pros

Diverse and inclusive characters: Includes a range of characters with different ages, shapes, skin tones, and identities.

New content and mechanics: Introduces new market cards, Breach Mages, and Nemeses, as well as a new storyline.

Gradual content reveal: Uses sealed envelopes for a mini-campaign format, allowing players to encounter new material gradually.

High replayability: Lots of new cards and combinations ensure varied gameplay.

Cons

Complexity and volatility: Can be overwhelming with too many options and high difficulty.

Balance issues: Some market setups and card combinations may not work well together.

Potential for frustration: High difficulty level and complex interactions can be daunting, especially for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Aeon’s End: Outcasts

Aeon’s End: Outcasts is ideal for veteran players of the Aeon’s End series or those experienced in cooperative deck-building games who are looking for more complex and challenging content. It is not recommended for beginners due to its advanced mechanics and high difficulty level. The game’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity is a significant positive, making it a great addition to any seasoned board game collection. However, the sheer volume of content and complexities may lead to feelings of being overstuffed, so it’s crucial to manage expectations and perhaps keep this set separate from other Aeon’s End expansions to maintain a coherent and enjoyable gaming experience.

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