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Council of 4 (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Council of 4 is a board game designed by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini and was released in 2015 by CMON Global Limited. The game is set in a Renaissance-themed world where players take on the roles of influential merchants trying to gain influence and power by connecting cities and fulfilling objectives.

Game Components of Council of 4

  • Game board** featuring a map of the kingdom
  • Politics cards** used for manipulating the council
  • Councilor tokens** representing the nobles in each kingdom
  • Business permit tiles** for gaining bonuses and expanding the merchant empire
  • Merchant tokens** for placing in cities
  • Coins** and **servants** as resources
  • Nobility track** for advancing player status

    How To Setup Council of 4

    To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Shuffle and deal a starting hand of politics cards to each player. Each region of the board needs to be populated with councilor tokens. Business permit tiles are placed face down in their respective regions. Players choose their starting merchant tokens and place them on designated starting spaces on the board.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Draw politics cards: Each turn begins with drawing a politics card to add to the player’s hand.
  • Elect a councilor: Players can choose a new councilor to insert into the council, gaining coins and creating a favorable council.
  • Acquire business permits: Trade in politics cards to get business permit tiles, which provide various bonuses such as extra cards, money, servants, or advancements on the nobility track.
  • Place merchants: Use business permits to place merchant tokens in cities.
  • Objective: Become the most successful merchant by earning the most victory points through placing merchants, advancing on the nobility track, and collecting bonuses.

    Player Experience

    The game is designed to be accessible and medium-weight, making it a good step up for players familiar with games like Ticket to Ride or Catan. Games typically last under an hour, and the rules are easy to explain. However, the game has minimal luck, which can make it less appealing for those seeking more randomness. The experience varies with the number of players; the game is more strategic with two players but becomes more chaotic with three or four players.

    Pros

  • Streamlined simplicity: Easy to understand and explain.
  • Strategic depth: Plenty to think about without being rules-heavy.
  • Quick gameplay: Most games last under an hour.
  • Accessible: A good step up from gateway games.

    Cons

  • Low luck: Minimal randomness can make the game less exciting for some.
  • Chaotic with more players: The board changes frequently, making it harder to maintain a strategy.

    Personal Thoughts on Council of 4

    **Council of 4** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games without the complexity of heavy Euros. It’s a great choice for those looking to transition from lighter games to more medium-weight experiences. While it may not be the best fit for families or those seeking high-luck games, it offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for two players. The unique blend of route building and set collection, along with the thematic twist of manipulating a medieval council, adds a layer of strategy that will appeal to fans of tactical gameplay.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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