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Elder Sign (2011) Board Game

ByMichail

Elder Sign is a cooperative dice-driven card game that was released in 2011 by Fantasy Flight Games. Designed by Richard Launius and Kevin Wilson, the game is set in the Cthulhu Mythos universe created by H.P. Lovecraft. Players take on the role of investigators exploring the eerie halls of the museum, trying to prevent the awakening of the Ancient Ones.

Game Components of Elder Sign

  • Game board** representing the Miskatonic University Museum
  • Location cards** that change throughout the game, each with specific tasks and rewards
  • Investigator cards** with unique abilities and strengths
  • Item cards** that provide temporary benefits such as healing, re-rolling dice, or access to special dice
  • Spell cards** that allow saving dice for future turns
  • Monster tiles** with various challenges and penalties
  • Dice** (six standard green dice, and two special dice: yellow and red)
  • Elder Sign tokens** and **clue tokens**
  • Doom track** and **Ancient One sheet**

    How To Setup Elder Sign

    To set up Elder Sign, begin by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Shuffle the location deck and draw a set number of location cards, depending on the number of players, and place them around the board. Each player selects an investigator and places their token on the museum lobby. Distribute starting items and spells if any, and initialize the doom track and Ancient One sheet.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Rolling Dice: Players roll six standard dice (and optionally the yellow and red special dice) to match symbols on the location cards.
  • Investigating Locations: Players must complete tasks on location cards by rolling specific dice results.
  • Fighting Monsters: Defeating monsters requires similar dice rolls as investigating locations.
  • Using Items and Spells: Items and spells can be used to aid in investigations or combat, but are one-time use.
  • Managing Health and Sanity: Players must balance physical and mental health as failures can cause damage or summon monsters.
  • Blocking the Ancient One: The ultimate goal is to place enough elder signs to prevent the Ancient One from entering the world.

    Player Experience

    Playing Elder Sign involves a mix of strategy and luck, as the dice rolls significantly influence the outcome. Players must carefully choose which locations to investigate, when to use items and spells, and how to manage their health and sanity. The game is engaging, especially for fans of the Lovecraftian theme, but can be frustrating due to the reliance on dice rolls.

    Pros

  • Cooperative Play: Supports 1-8 players, allowing for a dynamic group experience.
  • Short Playtime: Games typically last under 60 minutes, making it a quicker alternative to other Arkham Files games.
  • Solo Play: The game remains enjoyable in solo mode with minimal adjustments.
  • Strategy and Adaptation: Players must adapt their strategy based on the dice rolls, keeping the game engaging.

    Cons

  • High Randomness: The game’s reliance on dice rolls can lead to frustrating outcomes.
  • Item and Spell Limitations: Items and spells are one-time use, which can be limiting.
  • Small Item Deck: In games with multiple players, the same items may reappear frequently.

    Personal Thoughts on Elder Sign

    Elder Sign is ideal for fans of cooperative games and the Lovecraftian horror genre. It offers a quick, strategic experience that can be enjoyed both in group settings and solo. However, players who prefer games with less randomness may find it less appealing. For those looking to scratch their cosmic horror itch without the lengthy commitment of other Arkham Files games, Elder Sign is a solid choice. Despite its flaws, it remains an engaging and thematic addition to any board game collection.

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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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