Apex Theropod Deck-Building Game (2015) Board Game

Apex Theropod Deck-Building Game was released in 2015 and is designed by Herschel Hoffmeyer. The game is set in a prehistoric world where players take on the role of different apex predators, competing to become the ultimate predator. With its unique theme and gameplay mechanics, the game has gained a dedicated following among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Apex Theropod Deck-Building Game

525 cards, including 7 playable Apex Decks, 22 diverse animals to hunt, 11 dangerous carnivores, and 8 opposing Boss cards with Minions.

Evolve Deck, Hunt Deck, Affliction Deck, Environment Deck, and various stance, alert, and disaster area cards.

Nine playable predators: Acrocanthosaurus, Carnotaurus, Giganotosaurus, Spinosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, Utahraptor, Velociraptor, Quetzalcoatlus, and Sarocosuchus (the last two available in the Exotic Predators Edition).

How To Setup Apex Theropod Deck-Building Game

To set up the game, each player chooses an apex species and takes the corresponding deck of cards. They start with a deck consisting of 1 egg card, 4 prey carcass cards, 1 titan carcass card, 5 hatchlings, and 1 juvenile, which are shuffled together. The rest of the cards are set aside as the player’s Apex Deck. The Hunt Deck is constructed based on the number of players, with specific numbers of prey, big game, titan, menace, predator, and boss cards drawn and shuffled together. The Evolve Deck and Affliction Deck are also shuffled and placed in their respective positions. Players determine the difficulty level by adding emergence cards to the Environment Deck. The game trail is set up by drawing 4 cards from the Hunt Deck and placing them beside it.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck-Building: Players start with a basic deck and acquire more powerful cards and evolution cards to strengthen their dinosaurs.

Hunting and Combat: Players hunt and fight prey and boss dinosaurs, aiming to achieve the highest tier of hunt value to avoid injuries.

Affliction System: Affliction cards add diseases, wounds, and other challenges to players’ decks.

Alert Abilities: Players can set up ambushes using alert cards but risk losing the element of surprise.

Game Objective: The goal is to endure the environment, build up the population, evolve the species, and become the Apex predator by defeating the most boss dinosaurs before the extinction event.

Player Experience

Playing Apex Theropod is an immersive experience that combines strategy and thematic elements. Players must navigate a brutal environment, managing diseases, wounds, and attacks from other predators. The game’s mechanics, such as the affliction system and alert abilities, add a risk/reward element that enhances the thematic experience. The game’s art, done by Herschel Hoffmeyer, is praised for its anatomical accuracy and appeal.

Pros

Thematic Integration: The game mechanics align well with the theme of dinosaur survival.

Variety and Strategy: Each playable species has unique strengths, weaknesses, and strategies.

Beautiful Artwork: The game features anatomically accurate and visually appealing dinosaur depictions.

Complex and Engaging Gameplay: The game offers a deep and challenging experience for players.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game has complex rules and requires significant time to learn.

Rulebook Clarity: The rulebook can be hard to follow.

Availability Issues: The game is hard to find due to the company going out of business and controversies surrounding the second Kickstarter.

Personal Thoughts on Apex Theropod Deck-Building Game

Apex Theropod is ideal for dedicated board game enthusiasts and fans of strategy and deck-building games. While it may not appeal to casual gamers due to its complexity and lengthy setup, it offers a rich and rewarding experience for those willing to invest the time to learn it. The game’s thematic depth and beautiful artwork make it a standout in the genre, especially for those fascinated by dinosaurs and prehistoric environments.

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