Ausonia (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ausonia is a deck-building card game set in a fantasy renaissance world. Designed by Balázs Bodnár and Gergely Nagy, and illustrated by Lycan Studio, the game was released in in 2021. It is designed for 1-4 players, with a best player count of 2, and has a playtime of around 30 minutes. The game falls under the categories of card game, fantasy, and renaissance themes, and incorporates mechanisms such as deck, bag, and pool building, hand management, and solo/solitaire play.

Game Components of Ausonia

Deck of 50 cards: Divided into five guilds – Nobles, Merchants, Magicians, Underworld, and Engineers.

Basic cards: Starting deck for each player.

Market cards: Four cards from the draw pile, placed face up for purchase.

Expansion packs: Adding new guilds with unique keywords and mechanics.

Influence tokens: For tracking players’ influence points.

How To Setup Ausonia

To set up Ausonia, each player starts with a small deck of basic cards. The main deck is shuffled, and four cards are drawn to form the market, known as the “offer row.” These cards are placed face up and are available for purchase during the game. Each player draws a starting hand from their deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck Building: Players start with a basic deck and expand it by purchasing cards from the market.

Resource Management: Using resources from the hand to buy cards or perform actions.

Guild Synergies: Cards from different guilds have unique mechanics and synergies.

Solo Mode: Includes a dedicated solo mode for single-player experience.

Game Objective: The first player to achieve 60 influence points wins the game.

Player Experience

Ausonia offers a dynamic and adaptive gameplay experience. The limited market of four cards at a time forces players to make strategic decisions based on the cards available and those already in their deck. Each card has multiple uses, enhancing the game’s depth and replayability. The unique guild system ensures that no two decks look alike, making each game distinct.

Pros

Deep Gameplay in a Small Package: Despite its compact size, the game offers extensive replayability and complexity.

Adaptive Strategy: Players must adapt to the changing market and deck compositions.

Solo Mode: A well-crafted solo experience that retains the game’s core mechanics.

Guild Synergies: Cards from different guilds interact in meaningful ways, enhancing strategy.

Cons

Out of Print: Currently not available for purchase as it is out of print.

Limited Availability of Expansions: Expansions are not being expanded upon, limiting future content.

Complexity for New Players: May require some learning curve due to the unique mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Ausonia

Ausonia is perfect for fans of deck-building games who are looking for a fresh, challenging, and highly replayable experience. It is ideal for those who enjoy strategic depth and adaptability in their games. While it may not be suitable for complete beginners due to its complexity, experienced players will find it highly engaging. If you can manage to get your hands on a copy, Ausonia is definitely a gem worth exploring.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.