Cartographers Heroes (2021) Board Game

Cartographers Heroes is a standalone sequel to the critically acclaimed game Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale. It was released in 2021 by Thunderworks Games and designed by Jordy Adan and John Brieger. The game falls under the fantasy and territory building category, where players compete to map out the most successful kingdom.

Game Components of Cartographers Heroes

Double-sided map sheets with 11×11 grids, featuring predetermined mountain and Ruins locations.

Scoring cards with randomly selected goals for each game.

Explore cards that provide terrain types and shapes to draw on the map.

Ambush cards, including Monster and Hero cards with unique abilities.

Pencils for marking the map.

Objective cards (16 in total, divided into four sets of four) for scoring.

How To Setup Cartographers Heroes

To set up the game, each player receives a double-sided map sheet and a pencil. The deck is shuffled, including the explore, ambush, and objective cards. Four objective cards are randomly selected and placed in a specific order (A, B, C, D). The game is ready to start with players preparing to draw and mark their maps according to the cards drawn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Flip and Write: Players draw cards and mark corresponding shapes and terrain types on their maps.

Modular Board: The map sheets are double-sided, offering varied gameplay experiences.

Variable Player Powers: Introduced through Hero cards that combat Monster cards.

Game Objective

Players aim to score points by fulfilling the objectives set by the randomly selected scoring cards.

Objectives include specific terra-relationships such as Forest, Farms & Water, Villages, and generic cartographical accomplishments.

The game is divided into four seasons, with two objectives scoring at the end of each season.

Player Experience

Cartographers Heroes offers a dynamic and interactive experience, combining strategic map-building with the challenge of battling monsters and utilizing heroes. Players must balance their map development with the unpredictability of ambush cards, which can either hinder their progress or provide opportunities for heroism. The game’s infinite replayability and variable objectives ensure a unique experience in each gameplay session.

Pros

High Replayability: With random objective cards and variable map setups, each game is different.

Interactive and Dynamic: The inclusion of monsters and heroes adds a social and challenging element to the game.

Versatile Player Count: Supports 1-100 players, making it suitable for various group sizes.

Quick Gameplay: Games last between 30-45 minutes.

Cons

Complexity: While the core mechanics are simple, the addition of monsters and heroes can add complexity for new players.

Luck of the Draw: The random nature of the cards can sometimes lead to unfair advantages or disadvantages.

Personal Thoughts on Cartographers Heroes

Cartographers Heroes is ideal for fans of map-drawing and strategy games, particularly those who enjoy the “flip and write” genre. It’s a great fit for families and casual gamers due to its ease of learning and engaging gameplay. However, it also offers enough depth for experienced players to strategize and optimize their map-building and hero deployment. The game’s adaptability to different player counts and its short playtime make it a versatile addition to any game collection.

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