Ambition (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ambition is a board game released in 2017 designed by Rob Acton. The game falls under the categories of bluffing, card game, deduction, fantasy, and medieval themes. It is a game that involves hand management, memory, open drafting, simultaneous action selection, take that, and variable player powers. The game is designed for 2-5 players, with the best experience being with 4 players, and has a runtime of 10-30 minutes. The game is suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Ambition

New Factions: Additional faction tiles to expand player options.

Home Worlds: New home world tiles for different starting conditions.

Game Tiles: New tiles to add to the bag, including Psi-Crystal Forecasters.

Dice: Two new types of dice – black Leader dice and orange Entrepreneur dice.

Objectives: Optional objectives that provide Talent Counters upon completion.

Talent Counters: Generic wild dice faces used during the Assign step.

How To Setup Ambition

Setting up Ambition involves integrating the new components into the base game. Players upgrade their player boards with new stickers, add the new tiles to the bag, and include the new dice types. Specifically, each player starts with two Home dice in their Citizenry, two Home dice in their cup, and one Leader die in their cup. The game setup remains largely consistent with the base game, with minor adjustments for the new components.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Assignment: Players assign dice to various phases such as Explore, Develop, Settle, Consume, and Ship.

Leader Dice: Work as Consumption dice for Consume actions and as Home dice for Diverse Workforce and Galactic Exchange.

Entrepreneur Dice: Never match the world’s color, scoring +1 VP for Galactic Exchange.

Objectives: Complete objectives to earn Talent Counters, which can be used as wild dice faces.

Game Objective: Build a galaxy by developing technologies, settling planets, and consuming goods to earn the most victory points.

Player Experience

Ambition introduces new layers of strategy and flexibility to the base game. Players must manage their dice more effectively, utilizing the new Leader and Entrepreneur dice to their advantage. The optional objectives add an extra layer of complexity, allowing players to earn Talent Counters that can be crucial in achieving further objectives or completing phases. The expansion is particularly beneficial in higher player counts, where the two-phase dice faces become more valuable.

Pros

Enhanced Strategy: New dice types and objectives add more strategic depth.

Increased Flexibility: Leader and Entrepreneur dice offer more options for phase assignments.

Improved Start: Leader dice help new players get started more smoothly.

Competitive Edge: Talent Counters provide a significant advantage in achieving objectives.

Cons

Complexity: The addition of new components and mechanics can overwhelm new players.

Dependency on Base Game: Requires the base game to play, which might be a barrier for new players.

Balance: Some combinations may feel overpowered, especially in two-player games.

Personal Thoughts on Ambition

Ambition is for fans of *Roll for the Galaxy* who are looking to enhance their gameplay experience with new challenges and strategies. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy managing resources and optimizing their dice assignments. While it adds complexity, the reward for experienced players is significant, making it a worthwhile expansion for those invested in the game. However, new players should start with the base game to fully appreciate the additions brought by Ambition.

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