Courtisans (2024) Board Game

Courtisans is a card game set in medieval times, where players take on the roles of courtiers trying to gain the favor of the king by collecting sets of cards. Designed by Romaric Galonnier and Anthony Perone, and illustrated by Noëmie Chevalier, this game was released in 2024 by Catch Up Games.

Game Components of Courtisans

Cards: The game includes a deck made up of 5 suits, each numbered 1-10, along with special ability cards like the noble, spy, assassin, and guard.

Banquet Table: A central component where cards are placed to determine suit values.

Secret Objectives: Each player receives two secret objectives at the start of the game.

Player Tokens: For tracking points and objectives.

How To Setup Courtisans

To set up Courtisans, each player is dealt a hand of cards. The banquet table is placed centrally, and each player receives two secret objectives. The game is ready to start once all players understand their objectives and the initial cards are distributed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turn: Each turn, a player looks at three different cards and decides which one to keep, which one to give to another player, and which one to add to the banquet table.

Suit Value Determination: The value of each suit is determined by a simple majority on the banquet table; more cards of a suit above the table make it positive, while more below make it negative.

Special Ability Cards: Each suit has special cards like the noble (worth two cards), spy (revealed at the end of the game), assassin (kills another card), and guard (unkillable).

Secret Objectives: Players have secret objectives to help or sabotage specific suits or feed certain suits to their neighbors.

Game Objective: The goal is to end the game with the most positive points by manipulating suit values and fulfilling secret objectives.

Player Experience

Courtisans offers a quick and engaging 20-30 minute game experience filled with strategic decisions and social interactions. Players must navigate the delicate balance of helping or sabotaging suits, all while managing their secret objectives. The game is known for its funny and cutthroat moments, making it a hit for competitive groups who enjoy strategic and social gameplay.

Pros

Engaging Strategy: Combines simple rules with complex strategic depth.

Social Interaction: Encourages player interaction and strategic targeting.

Replay Value: High replayability due to random card draws and secret objectives.

Quick Games: Lasts only 20-30 minutes, making it a great filler game.

Cons

Randomness: Significant random elements can be off-putting for some players.

Social Conflict: The game’s passive-aggressive nature may not appeal to all players.

Learning Curve: While the rules are simple, mastering the game’s nuances takes time.

Personal Thoughts on Courtisans

Courtisans is ideal for players who enjoy strategic card games with a strong social component. It is perfect for competitive groups who relish in the art of subtle sabotage and strategic planning. However, players who prefer more predictable outcomes or avoid social conflict might find this game less appealing. For those who enjoy games like Biblios and Botswana but are looking for something with an added layer of complexity and social intrigue, Courtisans is an excellent choice.

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