Black Angel (2019) Board Game

Black Angel is a science fiction board game that was released in 2019 by Pearl Games. Designed by Sébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges, and Alain Orban, the game takes place in a distant future where players take on the role of artificial intelligence aboard the Black Angel spaceship. The game features a unique blend of strategy and space exploration, making it a popular choice among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Black Angel

Gameboard: The Black Angel frigate and a modular Space board

Player Boards: 4 player boards in different colors

Space Strips: 7 double-sided strips

Planet Spes: 1 tile and 1 token

Figurines: 1 Frigate figurine, 20 ship figurines, and 64 robot figurines

Dice: 18 dice (6 of each color)

Technology Tiles: 12 Starting Technology tiles, 48 Technology tiles, and 16 Advanced Technology tiles

Mission Cards: 60 cards (20 of each color)

Ravager Cards: 30 cards

Resources: 40 resources and 30 Damage/Debris cubes

Tokens and Discs: First Player token, 8 discs in player colors, and other miscellaneous tokens

Rulebook and Appendix: Including rules for the solitaire variant.

How To Setup Black Angel

To set up Black Angel, players start by placing the gameboard, which represents the Black Angel frigate, and the modular Space board. Each player selects a player board and takes the corresponding robot figurines, dice, and starting technology tiles. The Mission cards, Ravager cards, and resources are distributed according to the rules. The Planet Spes tile and token are placed at the end of the Space board, marking the final destination. Players also receive their player aids and any necessary tokens. The game is ready to begin once all components are correctly placed and each player understands their starting position.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Allocation: Players use dice to perform actions, with each die indicating the number of actions that can be taken.

Resource Management: Managing resources, robots, and ships is crucial for progressing through the game.

Technology Advancement: Acquiring and using Technology tiles to gain bonuses and points.

Exploration: Moving through the modular Space board, encountering new tiles and events.

Defending Against Ravagers: Dealing with alien threats that can damage the Black Angel.

Interaction with Alien Species: Making contact with benevolent alien species to gain advantages.

Objective: The primary goal is to reach the planet Spes and earn the most validation points (VP) by effectively managing resources, advancing technologies, and overcoming challenges. The AI with the most VP at the end oversees the reawakening of humanity.

Player Experience

Playing Black Angel involves a dynamic and interactive experience where each player’s actions influence the game environment. Players must balance resource management, technological advancements, and defending against Ravagers. The game’s modular board and random card draws introduce a high level of variability, making each game unique. Players need to be flexible and adapt their strategies based on the actions of other players and the events that unfold. The game rewards strategic thinking and planning but also incorporates elements of luck, making it exciting and unpredictable.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game’s sci-fi theme and narrative of saving humanity are engaging and immersive.

Modular Board: The dynamic Space board adds variety to each game session.

Interactive Gameplay: High player interaction and strategic depth.

Tech Tree Management: The technology advancement system offers a lot of depth and strategic options.

Visuals: The game’s production values, including the art and colors, are striking and appealing.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a lot of rules and components, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Luck Factor: The random elements, such as card draws and dice rolls, can significantly impact the game’s outcome.

Limited Direct Interaction: Some players might find the interaction with alien species and other players to be less direct than desired.

Resource Limitations: The dice allocation system can be limiting, restricting the number of powerful actions a player can take.

Personal Thoughts on Black Angel

**Black Angel** is ideal for players who enjoy complex, strategic euros with a high level of interactivity. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games that challenge traditional Euro-game tropes and offer a unique, dynamic experience. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking simpler, more straightforward gameplay or those who prefer games with minimal randomness. For fans of games like **Troyes** and **Keyflower**, **Black Angel** offers a fresh and engaging experience that requires adaptability and strategic thinking.

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