Gladius (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Gladius is a board game released in 2021 and designed by Cheryl Young. It is a game that falls under the bluffing, card game, and deduction categories, with gameplay mechanics including betting and bluffing, hand management, and variable player powers. The game is designed for 2-5 players, with the best experience for 3-4 players, and has a runtime of 20-30 minutes. The game is recommended for ages 13 and up and features artwork by Cat Quartet Games.

Game Components of Gladius

Event cards

Gladiator cards

Podium cards

Betting cards (gold and bronze tokens)

Influence cards

Spectator cards

Influencer decks and tokens

Gladiatorial teams with skills categorized into skill, theatrics, and luck

How To Setup Gladius

To set up Gladius, start by shuffling the event and gladiator cards to form their respective decks. Place the podium cards in a row and the betting cards below them, leaving space to reveal gladiators and place influence cards. Randomly deal out a spectator card to each player, who then take the respective influencer deck and tokens. Based on the player count, draw cards to create a starting hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Betting Phase: Players place bet tokens face down on gladiator teams, either betting for a team to win (gold) or lose (bronze).

Influence Phase: Players use influence cards to manipulate the outcome by adding or neutralizing gladiators’ skills.

Special Abilities: Players can discard influence cards to use their spectator’s special ability.

Second Bet: Option to place a second bet during the action phase.

Resolution: Reveal influence cards, determine the winning team, and score points based on bets.

Objective: Be the player with the most points after three rounds by accurately betting on and influencing the gladiatorial games.

Player Experience

In Gladius, players take on the roles of cunning Roman spectators aiming to make the most money by betting on and rigging gladiatorial games. The game is unique in its focus on betting, bribery, and cheating rather than direct combat. Each round involves strategic betting and the use of influence cards to manipulate the outcome. The game requires careful planning and social deduction to outmaneuver opponents.

Pros

Unique Theme: A fresh take on gladiatorial games, focusing on spectator influence rather than combat.

Strategic Depth: Combines betting and card manipulation for a challenging and engaging experience.

Social Interaction: Encourages strategic thinking and social deduction among players.

Replayability: Multiple rounds and varied influence cards offer high replay value.

Cons

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be somewhat intricate due to the various components and decks.

Learning Curve: New players may need time to understand the nuances of betting and influence mechanics.

Luck Element: The game includes a luck category for gladiatorial skills, which can introduce randomness.

Personal Thoughts on Gladius

Gladius is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a social twist. It’s perfect for those interested in a unique take on historical themes and who appreciate the complexity of managing bets and influencing outcomes. While marked for ages 14+, younger players can participate if the rules are well-explained. Overall, Gladius offers a captivating and engaging experience for fans of strategy and social deduction games.

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