Campaign Trail (2019) Board Game

Campaign Trail is a political board game that was released in 2019 by Cosmic Wombat Games. Designed by David Cornelius, Nathan Cornelius, and Jeff Cornelius, this game allows players to experience the excitement and strategy of running a political campaign.

Game Components of Campaign Trail

Cards: Action cards with multiple choices, candidate cards for individual player powers, and event cards.

Map: A map of the United States to track campaign progress and electoral votes.

Voter Tokens: To represent registered voters in various states.

Money Tokens: For fundraising and spending on campaigns.

Candidate Tokens: To track player movement and campaign rallies.

Issue Tokens: To represent key issues for advertising campaigns.

How To Setup Campaign Trail

To set up the game, each player selects a candidate card, which provides a unique player power. The action cards are shuffled, and each player draws a starting hand. The map of the United States is laid out, and voter tokens are distributed according to initial state allegiances. Money tokens are also distributed to each player for initial fundraising. Players then determine the starting player, and the game begins.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card-Driven Actions: Players play cards to choose from six actions: Fundraise, Register, Travel, Advertising, Campaign, and Event.

Fundraise: Add money to the war chest for future campaigns.

Register: Add voters to the registered voter supply.

Travel: Move the candidate to different states for campaign rallies.

Advertising: Create campaigns based on current issues to gain voters.

Campaign: Hold local rallies to gain voters in the current and adjacent states.

Event: Hold various political events to gain votes or increase resources.

Area Control: Players aim to have the most voters in enough states to win a plurality of electoral votes.

Resource Management: Manage money and voter tokens effectively to support campaigns.

Debates: Engage in debates on current issues to sway voters.

Event Cards: Use event cards to build an engine for resource production.

Player Experience

Playing **Campaign Trail** feels like navigating the intricate and dynamic world of political campaigning. Each turn, players must strategically decide how to allocate their resources and actions to connect with voters on key issues. The game requires a balance between fundraising, voter registration, and effective advertising and campaigning. The unique candidate powers and event cards add a layer of complexity and replayability, making each game unique.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Combines multiple mechanics for a rich and challenging experience.

Replayability: Unique candidate powers and event cards ensure different gameplay each time.

Thematic Accuracy: Effectively simulates the real-world challenges of a presidential campaign.

Engaging: Encourages strategic thinking and interaction with other players.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous mechanics and strategies.

Length: Games can be lengthy, requiring several hours to complete.

Luck Factor: Card draws can introduce an element of luck, affecting strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Campaign Trail

**Campaign Trail** is ideal for fans of strategy and political intrigue. It is perfect for groups who enjoy complex, multi-layered games that require strategic planning and resource management. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those seeking a quick, light-hearted experience. The game’s depth and replayability make it a great addition to any serious board game collection.

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