Button Men (1999) Board Game

Button Men is a strategy dice game that was originally released in 1999 by Cheapass Games. The game was designed by James Ernest and features artwork from popular artists such as Pete Abrams, Gerald Brom, Larry Elmore, and Phil Foglio. Button Men is known for its simple yet strategic gameplay that involves dice rolling and pushing your luck to outsmart your opponent.

Game Components of Button Men

Buttons or Fighter Cards: Represent players and indicate the quantity, maximum value, and abilities of the player’s dice. These can be metal or plastic discs with a pin on the back.

Polyhedral Dice: Include d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20, which are used for gameplay.

Character Art and Themes: Diverse character art styles and themes, including licensed characters from various sources.

Special Dice Types: Depending on the character, special dice like Rush, Shadow, and Poison dice are used, each with unique abilities[4.).

How To Setup Button Men

Setting up **Button Men** is straightforward and quick, taking about 2 minutes. Players select their Button Men or fighter cards, which define the dice they will use. Each player rolls their dice pool simultaneously to start the game. The player with the lowest roll gains initiative and goes first, or the next lowest roll in the event of a tie.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll their dice pool at the start of each round.

Capturing Dice: Players take turns using their dice to capture or neutralize their opponent’s dice based on the dice values.

Power Attack: Capture an opponent’s die with a die of equal or lower value.

Skill Attack: Capture an opponent’s die by summing multiple dice to match the opponent’s die value exactly.

Scoring: Players score points based on the sides of the dice they capture. The player with the most points after capturing dice wins the round. The first player to win three rounds wins the game.

Special Dice Abilities:

Rush Dice: Allow multiple dice to be collected with a single die.

Shadow Dice: Defeat greater valued dice.

Poison Dice: Give players negative points.

Player Experience

**Button Men** offers a quick and fun gaming experience, perfect for fillers or travel games. The game is set in Fight City, a 1950s gangster town, with diverse character sets that add to the theme. Players appreciate the simplicity of the rules and the depth of strategy involved, making it a great blend of luck and strategy. The game’s inclusive and diverse character artwork is also a highlight.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last less than 10 minutes.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn rules with deep strategic possibilities.

Diverse Character Art: Inclusive and diverse character sets.

Variable Gameplay: Special dice types and abilities add variety.

Portable: Easy to carry and set up for impromptu games.

Cons

Simple for Some: Gameplay may feel too simple for players seeking more complex games.

Luck Factor: The game involves a significant amount of luck, which may not appeal to everyone.

Personal Thoughts on Button Men

**Button Men** is ideal for those looking for a quick, fun, and strategic dice game. It is perfect as a gateway game, a filler, or for travel due to its easy setup and short playtime. Fans of dice rolling and push-your-luck style games will find this game engaging, and its diverse character set makes it appealing to a wide range of players. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking more complex or lengthy gaming experiences.

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