Council of Shadows (2022) Board Game

Council of Shadows is a science fiction board game released in 2022, designed by Armin Rangani and featuring artwork by alea. The game is set in a universe of space exploration and intrigue, where players take on the roles of powerful factions vying for control and influence.

Game Components of Council of Shadows

Game board split into 3 “parsecs” with shuffled tiles in each section

Two decks of Dark Tech cards

Deck of light bonus cards

Dark bonus cards for each player

Market of AI cards

Player boards and markers

Consumption track

Action cards with varying consumption costs

Gemstones and other resource tokens

Planet and galaxy tiles

Cardboard throne for the player who triggers the end game.

How To Setup Council of Shadows

To set up the game, start by placing the Council of Shadows board on the table. Shuffle and place the Dark Tech cards, light bonus cards, and AI cards according to their designated areas. Each player is secretly dealt one dark bonus card. Players set up their personal boards and markers, including the consumption track. The game board is divided into three parsecs, each with its own set of shuffled tiles. Players begin with the same six action cards and resources to start their journey.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Phases: Each round consists of three phases – Buy, Planning, and Taking Actions (and possibly scoring).

Buy Phase: Players can acquire new action cards or upgrades.

Planning Phase: Players choose and place action cards behind their screens in secret.

Taking Actions Phase: Action cards are revealed, and players determine turn order based on the consumption cost of their cards. Players execute their actions from left to right.

Consumption Track: Players move their marker on the consumption track based on the total consumption cost of their action cards.

Dark Tech Levels: The game ends when at least one player reaches Dark Tech level 3. The player with the highest Dark Tech level wins, with energy level breaking ties.

Area Control: Players can assess their presence in galaxies to score energy points by having the majority of colonies in those areas.

Player Experience

**Council of Shadows** offers a deeply tactical and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance the consumption costs of their action cards with the need to progress through Dark Tech levels. The game is largely played individually, with some competition for cards and planet slots. The action card system and the moving score target create a puzzle-like experience that requires careful planning and decision-making. The game typically lasts under an hour and is known for its tight and competitive matches.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers challenging and interesting tactical decisions.

Efficiency Rewards: Efficient card play and resource management are highly rewarded.

Upgrade System: Players can upgrade their card slots and player boards to access more advanced actions.

Area Control Mechanics: Players can score points by controlling majorities in galaxies.

Cons

Limited Interaction: There is minimal direct interaction between players, which may not appeal to all players.

Assessment Phase Issues: The Assessment phase can feel logically forced, as players almost always assess every galaxy where they have a majority.

Personal Thoughts on Council of Shadows

**Council of Shadows** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic, puzzle-like games with deep tactical mechanics. It suits those who appreciate games that require careful planning and resource management. While it may not be the best fit for players seeking high levels of direct interaction, it offers a compelling and challenging experience for fans of solo-focused strategy games. The game’s unique scoring system and the thrill of racing to achieve Dark Tech levels make it a standout in the tactical board game genre.

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