Crave (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Crave is a card game released in 2019 that is designed for 2-6 players. It falls under the fantasy and fighting category and includes elements of deck, bag, and pool building, hand management, open drafting, take that, team-based gameplay, and variable player powers. The game is designed by Randis Albion, Aaron Griffin, Artur Jag, and Daria Rashevskaya, with artwork done by Black Forest Studio.

Game Components of Crave

Cards: Tarot-sized cards, including a main market deck and separate market decks for Vampires and Vampire Hunters.

Player Health Tracking: Mechanisms to track player health, though noted for being prone to accidental adjustments.

Items: Attachable items that enhance the power or defense of Being Patrols.

Groupies: Special cards that build on each other and provide bonuses.

Beings: Cards that include Patrols, Sentinels, and other types with unique abilities.

How To Setup Crave

To setup **Crave**, each player starts with an asynchronous starting deck, meaning the Vampire and Vampire Hunter decks have some identical but also some unique cards. The main market and the player-specific market decks are shuffled and laid out. Players begin with a set amount of health, and the objective is clear: reduce the opponent’s health to zero.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deckbuilding: Players expand their decks by buying cards from the main market or their specific market.

Resource Management: Players use Strength, Influence, and Health gained from played cards to perform actions.

Combat: Attack cards are used to reduce the opponent’s health, while defensive cards like Sentinels must be destroyed first.

Surge and Block Abilities: Some cards have Surge abilities for immediate play or Block abilities for temporary immunity.

Objective: The game ends when one player’s health is reduced to zero, with the other player declared the winner.

Player Experience

**Crave** offers a dynamic and engaging experience, particularly for fans of adversarial deck-building games. The game’s artwork on the tarot-sized cards is a highlight, though the card quality has been noted as merely okay. Players appreciate the expansive market options and the strategic depth provided by the unique card abilities and items.

Pros

Engaging Artwork: Tarot-sized cards showcase impressive artwork.

Strategic Depth: Multiple market decks and unique card abilities offer a rich strategic experience.

Asymmetric Play: Different starting decks and market options for Vampires and Hunters add variety.

Interactive Mechanics: Surge and Block abilities enhance gameplay interaction.

Cons

Card Quality: Cards show signs of wear after a few plays.

Health Tracking Issues: Health tracking mechanisms can be easily disrupted.

Learning Curve: Some complexity in rules may require additional explanations.

Personal Thoughts on Crave

**Crave** is ideal for those who enjoy adversarial deck-building games, particularly fans of **Star Realms** or **Ascension**. It offers a unique blend of strategic depth and engaging gameplay, making it a great addition to any deck-building enthusiast’s collection. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a game with high-quality card materials or a simple, introductory deck-builder.

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