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Down with the King (1981) Board Game

ByMichail

Down with the King is a board game released in 1981 by The Avalon Hill Game Co. It is a card game that combines elements of fantasy, negotiation, and political strategy. Designed by Glenn and Kenneth Rahman, the game is set in a medieval kingdom where players vie for power and influence to overthrow the reigning monarch.

Game Components of Down with the King

  • Character cards** representing nobles and other figures
  • Influence Points (IPs)** and **Prestige Points (PPs)**
  • Opportunity counters** to restrict actions
  • Office cards** for political positions
  • Event cards** for random occurrences
  • Action cards** for various activities like dueling, assassination, and travel

    How To Setup Down with the King

    To set up the game, each player chooses a noble character and receives a set of character cards, IPs, and PPs. Players also draw a starting hand of action cards. The game board or play area is organized to track players’ influence, prestige, and the current state of the monarch.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Gameplay Mechanics

  • Random Events: Each turn involves a sequence of random events that affect all players.
  • Player Actions: Players can increase their character’s skills, influence, and prestige; gain loyalty of non-player characters; acquire political offices; destabilize the current king; and interfere with other players’ factions.
  • Action Cards: Actions include dueling, assassination, travel, advising the monarch, escape, extradite a wrongdoer, expose a scandal, intrigue, recruit characters, court the monarch’s favor, fill vacant offices, recruit by treachery, seduce characters, hold a wedding, consult prestige tables, and solicit bribes.
  • Resource Management: Players manage IPs and PPs to perform actions.

    Game Objective

    The objective is to depose the current monarch and place your own royal character on the throne. A player wins by controlling the monarch for three consecutive turns.

    Player Experience

    **Down with the King** offers a rich and complex gaming experience, filled with diplomacy, betrayal, and political maneuvering. Players must balance their resources and actions carefully to build enough power to overthrow the monarch. The game is known for its depth and variety of actions, making each game unique and challenging.

    Pros

  • Deep Strategy: Offers a wide range of strategic options and complex gameplay.
  • Replayability: Random events and varied player actions ensure each game is different.
  • Social Interaction: Encourages negotiation, betrayal, and cooperation among players.
  • Historical Setting: Set in the European Baroque age, adding a layer of historical context.

    Cons

  • Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous rules and actions.
  • Lengthy Gameplay: Games can last up to 120 minutes, which may deter some players.
  • Resource Management: Managing IPs and PPs can be tricky and may lead to analysis paralysis.

    Personal Thoughts on Down with the King

    **Down with the King** is for players who enjoy complex, strategic games with a strong social element. It is ideal for those who appreciate historical settings and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the game’s intricate mechanics. If you enjoy games like **Diplomacy** or **Game of Thrones: The Board Game**, you will likely find **Down with the King** to be a compelling and engaging experience. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those looking for a quick, straightforward game.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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