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Artisans of Splendent Vale (2022) Board Game

ByMichail

Brief History and Background Information for Artisans of Splendent Vale

Artisans of Splendent Vale is a cooperative fantasy adventure board game released in 2022. Designed by a team of talented individuals including MK Castaneda, Lil Chan, Cleonique Hilsaca, Lisa Pearce, and Christina Pittre, this game is set in a magical world where players take on the roles of artisans working together to restore balance and harmony to the land.

Game Components of Artisans of Splendent Vale

  • Hexagon Grid Board
  • Player Boards
  • Custom Dice
  • Cards
  • Tokens
  • Miniatures

How To Setup Artisans of Splendent Vale

  • Place the hexagon grid board in the center of the table.
  • Each player selects a player board and places it in front of them.
  • Shuffle the cards and place them in a designated area.
  • Place the tokens and miniatures within reach of all players.
  • Roll the dice to determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Artisans of Splendent Vale, players work together to complete various tasks and challenges in order to restore balance to the land. Through a combination of dice rolling, card play, and strategic decision-making, players must collaborate to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. The ultimate objective is to work as a team to bring peace and harmony back to Splendent Vale.

Player Experience

Pros:

  • Engaging cooperative gameplay that promotes teamwork and communication.
  • Beautiful artwork and high-quality components.
  • Varied gameplay mechanics keep the experience fresh and exciting.
  • Replayability with different scenarios and challenges.

Cons:

  • Long runtime may be a deterrent for some players.
  • Complex rules may be challenging for beginners.
  • Limited player count may not appeal to larger gaming groups.

Personal Thoughts on Artisans of Splendent Vale

Artisans of Splendent Vale offers a rich and immersive gaming experience for fans of cooperative adventure games. The attention to detail in the artwork and components is impressive, and the diverse gameplay mechanics keep the game engaging and unpredictable. While the long runtime and complex rules may be a barrier for some players, those who enjoy a deep and strategic gaming experience will find plenty to love in Artisans of Splendent Vale. Overall, I believe this game is worth the investment for those who appreciate high-quality components and immersive gameplay.

Game Components of Artisans of Splendent Vale

  • Characters: Four diverse and unique characters, each with their own specialized crafting skills and individual storybooks.
  • Action Scene Book: Serves as the gameboard for fights and other scenes, including maps and initiative tracks.
  • Map: A large, folded map of the Splendent Vale, with the adventure log on the reverse side.
  • Dice: A shared dice pool with icons showing possible actions.
  • Character Sheets: Individualized sheets with skills and paths for character development.
  • Interlude Cards: A deck for individual interludes and decision-making.
  • Storage Solution: Complete storage solution with tuck boxes to store cards and components.

    How To Setup Artisans of Splendent Vale

    Setting up **Artisans of Splendent Vale** involves preparing the game components for the first session of the campaign. This includes unfolding the large map, distributing the character storybooks and sheets, and preparing the Action Scene Book. Players must also organize the dice pool and the Interlude Cards. The game comes with a detailed rulebook that guides players through the setup process, ensuring everything is ready for the adventure to begin.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Cooperative Play: Players work together as a troupe of artisans to explore and overcome challenges in the Splendent Vale.
  • Character Development: Players develop their characters by filling in paths on their character sheets using experience points, unlocking new attributes and skills.
  • Tactical Action Scenes: Players engage in tactical battles on specialized grid maps, using a shared dice pool and coordinating their actions.
  • Individual Interludes: Players make choices and decisions during individual interludes, affecting the game’s story and their character’s development.
  • Story-Driven Adventure: The game is driven by a detailed story, with each character having their own storybook and the group’s tale intertwining.

    Player Experience

    Playing **Artisans of Splendent Vale** is an immersive experience that combines storytelling, character development, and tactical gameplay. Players delve into a beautifully crafted world, reading from their individual storybooks and working together to overcome challenges. The game is designed for 2-4 players, with each player choosing a character to play throughout the campaign. The campaign is lengthy, spanning 40-50 hours, split into episodes lasting 45-90 minutes each.

    Pros

  • Inclusive Characters: The game features diverse and inclusive characters, each with unique skills and personalities.
  • Fantastic Writing: The story and script books are well-written and engaging.
  • Beautiful Components: The game includes high-quality, colorful components, such as the large map and character markers.
  • Deep Character Development: The character development system allows for complex and personalized advancement paths.

    Cons

  • Lengthy Campaign: The game requires a significant time commitment, which can be challenging to manage.
  • No Solo Mode: The game lacks a solo mode, making it less accessible to players who prefer solo play.
  • Combat Mechanics: Some players find the combat mechanics to be somewhat repetitive or less detailed compared to other games.

    Personal Thoughts on Artisans of Splendent Vale

    **Artisans of Splendent Vale** is ideal for groups of friends or family who enjoy cooperative games, deep storytelling, and character development. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate a mix of tactical gameplay and narrative exploration. However, it may not be the best fit for players looking for a quick game or solo play experience. The game’s detailed components and engaging story make it a standout in the cooperative adventure genre, but its length and complexity require a committed group to fully enjoy it.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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