Deadwood 1876 (2018) Board Game

Deadwood 1876 is a board game that was released in 2018 by Facade Games. Designed by Travis Hancock, this game is set in the American West during the gold rush era. Players take on the roles of outlaws and lawmen in the infamous town of Deadwood, South Dakota, trying to outwit their opponents and come out on top.

Game Components of Deadwood 1876

Faux book box with magnetic closure

9 wood star pawns

3 wood platforms

10 engraved dice

50 playing cards

9 character cards

25 safe cards (includes Mystery Safe expansion)

Linen bag[5,.

How To Setup Deadwood 1876

Players are randomly assigned to one of three major establishments in Deadwood: the Bella Union Saloon, Gem Theater, or Grand Central hotel. These establishments serve as the teams for the game. Each player starts with a hand of cards and the objective is to accumulate gold-filled safes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Play: Players take turns playing item or gun cards from their hand.

Items: Allow various actions like spying on safes, drawing new cards, or moving to a new location.

Guns: Initiate robberies or duels, resolved by rolling dice that match the gun card.

Heists: Players attempt to steal safes from the town’s stack at the end of each round.

Badges: Provide extra turns.

Showdown Guns: Offer extra dice in the final showdown.

Teamwork and Betrayal: Players must balance collecting gold for their team while preparing for the final showdown against their teammates.

Final Showdown: The team with the most gold advances to a final duel where teammates fight each other; the last person standing wins all the gold.

Player Experience

Deadwood 1876 combines teamwork and selfishness, requiring players to manage risk and strategy. Players must deduce what their teammates have in their safes, make alliances, and betray each other as necessary. The game is simple to learn but rich in strategy and social drama, making it engaging for teens and adults.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Balances teamwork and individual strategy.

Social Interaction: Encourages alliances, betrayals, and deduction.

Quick Playtime: Games last 20-40 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules with deep gameplay.

Thematic Aesthetic: Beautifully presented game box and components.

Cons

Not Ideal for Two Players: The game is more enjoyable with larger groups.

Dice Rolling Mechanics: May not appeal to players who dislike dice-based conflict resolution.

Personal Thoughts on Deadwood 1876

Deadwood 1876 is perfect for those who enjoy strategic games with a strong social element. It’s ideal for party nights, family gatherings, or any group looking for a fun and engaging game. However, it may not be the best choice for two-player games due to its design favoring larger groups. The game’s unique blend of cooperation and betrayal, along with its thematic setting, makes it a great addition to any board game collection.

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