Cunning Folk (2015) Board Game

Cunning Folk is a card game released in 2015 by Button Shy, designed by Jay E. Treat, III. The game is designed for 2-4 players and has a runtime of around 15 minutes. It falls under the categories of bluffing, deduction, and push your luck, making it a strategic and engaging game for players of all ages.

Game Components of Cunning Folk

17 cards: 2 Good Witches, 1 Good Elder, 2 Evil Witches, 1 Evil Elder, 3 Villagers, and 4 Judgment cards.

Additional characters like the Liar and Vagrant can be introduced through expansions.

How To Setup Cunning Folk

To set up the game, shuffle the deck of cards and place them face-down within reach of all players. Each player’s goal is to identify and manipulate the cards without getting suspected of being a witch.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bluffing: Players pick a card, look at it secretly, and declare a role. They can tell the truth or lie about the card.

Deduction: Other players can challenge the declaration. If challenged, the card is flipped face-up to reveal its true identity.

Actions:
– Good Witch: Go again.
– Evil Witch: Swap two cards.
– Good Elder: Identify the three evil cards to win.
– Evil Elder: Identify the three good cards to win.
– Villager: No action.

Judgment: If a player is wrong once, they take a Judgment card with the “Suspected” side showing. If wrong again, they are “Ostracized” and out of the game.

Player Experience

Playing **Cunning Folk** is a quick and engaging experience that requires strategic bluffing and deduction. Players must carefully decide whether to peek at the same card someone else used or choose a different card to lie about. The game’s simplicity belies its depth, making it fascinating as players try to figure out when others are bluffing or telling the truth.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games last under 10 minutes, making it easy to play multiple rounds.

Simple yet Deep: The game’s mechanics are easy to learn but offer a lot of depth in terms of strategy.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and up.

Portable: The micro game format makes it highly portable.

Cons

Bluffing Requirement: Players who are bad at lying may be at a disadvantage.

Luck Element: The random draw of cards can influence the game’s outcome.

Limited Components: The base game includes only 17 cards, which might limit replayability without expansions.

Personal Thoughts on Cunning Folk

**Cunning Folk** is perfect for those who enjoy bluffing and deduction games with a touch of social interaction. It’s ideal for families or casual game nights where quick, fun games are preferred. The game’s short playtime and simple rules make it accessible to a wide range of players, while its depth keeps it engaging for multiple playthroughs. However, it may not be the best fit for players who struggle with bluffing or prefer more complex, longer games.

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