Archon: Glory & Machination (2013) Board Game

Archon: Glory & Machination is a city-building board game that was released in in 2013. Designed by Antonis Papantoniou and Giota Vorgia, the game is set in a medieval world where players take on the roles of ambitious archons seeking to gain power and influence. The game features a mix of economic and worker placement mechanics, making for a strategic and immersive gameplay experience.

Game Components of Archon: Glory & Machination

Player boards

Cardis cards

Archon cards

Favor tokens

Action tokens

Dice (for resolving conflicts)

Game board

How To Setup Archon: Glory & Machination

To set up the game, each player chooses an Archon and receives a corresponding player board and a set of Archon cards. The Cardis cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The game board is set up with the necessary tokens and dice. Each player starts with a predetermined number of Favor tokens and Action tokens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action/Movement Programming: Players plan and execute their actions using a programming mechanism.

Deck/Pool Building: Players manage and build their deck of Archon cards to perform various actions.

Objective: The goal is to gain the most Favor tokens by supporting Cardis and executing strategic actions.

Player Experience

In Archon: Glory & Machination, players engage in a complex dance of strategy and planning. Each turn, they program their actions carefully, trying to outmaneuver their opponents while supporting the right Cardis to win the King’s favor. The game requires a balance between short-term gains and long-term strategies, making it a challenging and rewarding experience.

Pros

Deep Strategy: The game offers a rich layer of strategic depth, making it appealing to fans of complex board games.

Replayability: With the deck-building mechanism and variable player powers, each game can be different.

Engaging Theme: The theme of vying for royal favor adds a compelling narrative to the gameplay.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game mechanics, especially the action programming, can be daunting for new players.

Long Playtime: Games can take several hours to complete, which may not be suitable for all players.

Complex Setup: The setup process can be lengthy due to the need to distribute and organize various components.

Personal Thoughts on Archon: Glory & Machination

Archon: Glory & Machination is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategic games. It is not a beginner’s game due to its intricate mechanics and lengthy setup. However, for those who revel in deep strategy and planning, this game offers a highly rewarding experience. If you’re looking for a game that will challenge you and keep you engaged over multiple plays, Archon: Glory & Machination is definitely worth considering.

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