Council of Verona (2013) Board Game

Council of Verona is a card game released in 2013 by Crash Games. Designed by Michael Eskue, the game is set in Renaissance Verona and is based on the famous Shakespearean play “Romeo and Juliet”. Players take on the roles of influential citizens of Verona who are trying to manipulate the court in their favor.

Game Components of Council of Verona

Character cards representing influential citizens of Verona

Influence Tokens

Agenda cards

Ability cards

Poison and antidote expansion (in some versions)

Betting tokens

How To Setup Council of Verona

To set up the game, a few cards are removed from the character deck to introduce uncertainty. The remaining cards are shuffled and dealt to the players. Each player starts with a hand of cards and a set of influence tokens. The agenda cards are placed within reach of all players, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Auction/Bidding: Players bet on agenda cards to influence the outcome.

Card Drafting: Players manage their hand of character and ability cards.

Hand Management: Strategic use of cards to influence the council.

Objective: Use influence tokens and clever card placement to gain victory points by aligning with the agendas of characters. The player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

Council of Verona is a fast-paced, social game that encourages strategic thinking and a bit of deception. Games last between 10 to 20 minutes, making it an excellent “beer and pretzel” game for quick sessions with friends. The game’s design allows for engaging table talk and subtle strategies, even in the 2-player variant, although the dynamics change slightly with fewer players.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games are short and fun, lasting 10-20 minutes.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but requires thoughtful card management.

Social Interaction: Encourages table talk and social engagement.

Balanced Mechanics: The game is well-balanced for all player counts.

Unique Mechanics: Includes interesting mechanics like the poison and antidote expansion.

Cons

Randomness: Some cards are removed from the deck, introducing randomness that may not appeal to all players.

Limited Player Interaction in 2-Player Games: With only two players, the likelihood of being targeted by opponent’s cards is higher.

Personal Thoughts on Council of Verona

Council of Verona is perfect for those who enjoy quick, strategic card games with a social twist. It’s ideal for casual gamers and fans of the Romeo and Juliet theme. The game’s ability to scale well from 2 to 5 players makes it versatile for various gaming groups. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy, social interaction, and a touch of Shakespearean flair, Council of Verona is an excellent choice.

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