Ankh (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ankh is a card game designed by Dave Grigger and published by HUCH! in in 2016. The game is set in ancient Egypt and players take on the roles of Egyptian gods competing for followers and power.

Game Components of Ankh

Game board featuring ancient Egypt

Player boards for each god

Ankh power cards

Guardian cards

Follower tokens

Monument tokens

Camel caravan tokens

Conflict cards

Action track tokens

Devotion tokens

How To Setup Ankh

Setting up **Ankh** involves placing the game board in the middle of the playing area, distributing player boards, and shuffling various decks such as the Ankh power cards, Guardian cards, and conflict cards. Each player chooses a god and places their followers and other tokens according to the starting scenario. The action track is initialized, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players compete to control regions on the board.

Action Track: A central mechanic where players take turns performing actions (move, summon, gain followers, unlock Ankh power) in a specific order, influencing the timing of events like Conflicts, Building Monuments, and Camel Caravans.

Ankh Powers: Each god has access to the same suite of Ankh powers, but their effectiveness varies based on the god’s playstyle and the scenario.

Guardians: Players can recruit Guardians to enhance their abilities.

Merge Mechanic: Mid-game, the two players in last place merge, requiring coordinated actions for the rest of the game.

Objective: The goal is to gain enough Devotion to become the supreme God of Egypt by building monuments, winning conflicts, and managing followers.

Player Experience

Playing **Ankh** is a strategic and interactive experience. The game offers a high level of depth despite its relatively simple rules. Players must carefully plan their actions, anticipating how their moves will affect the next player’s turn. The merge mechanic adds a unique twist, forcing players to adapt and cooperate to remain competitive. The game scales well for different player counts, maintaining tension even in two-player games.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Simple rules with complex, interconnected strategies.

High Replayability: Variations in approach, scenarios, and player count ensure different experiences each game.

Interactive Play: Players’ actions significantly impact each other’s strategies.

Unique Merge Mechanic: Adds a fresh layer of strategy and cooperation.

Tight Economy: Action limits create a high level of tension with every move.

Cons

Complexity for New Players: May require several plays to fully understand optimal strategies.

Dependence on Player Count: While it works well with two players, the dynamics can change significantly with more players.

Potential for Broken Combos: Some combinations of Ankh powers and Guardians can be overly powerful if not countered correctly.

Personal Thoughts on Ankh

**Ankh: Gods of Egypt** is ideal for fans of area control and DoaM games who appreciate strategic depth and interactive play. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy games like **Blood Rage** and **Rising Sun** but are looking for a new challenge with unique mechanics. The game’s ability to function well with just two players makes it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who often play with a smaller group. However, new players to the genre may need to invest time in understanding the nuances and optimal strategies.

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