Grifters (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Grifters is a card game released in 2015 by Jacksmack Games. Designed by Dave Fulton and Jacob Tlapek, the game is set in a world of criminal enterprises where players take on the roles of master thieves, con artists, and swindlers. With a mafia theme, players must recruit specialists, complete jobs, and pull off heists to outwit their opponents.

Game Components of Grifters

Player boards: Each player has a board with slots for cards and a refresh area.

Ringleader cards: Three identical cards per player, representing basic actions.

Specialist cards: Randomly dealt cards that expand player abilities.

Job cards: Five decks separated by color, each with specific icon requirements.

ISK tokens: Victory points, placed in the Coffers area.

Night slots: Areas on the player board for playing cards.

How To Setup Grifters

To set up Grifters, each player starts with three Ringleader cards and three random Specialist cards. The Specialist deck is placed as a draw pile. The five decks of job cards are ordered by number and separated by color. ISK tokens are placed in the Coffers area based on the number of players. Each player receives a player board and sets up their Night slots.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand management: Players manage their hand to complete jobs and perform actions.

Set building: Collecting job cards of the same color for endgame bonuses.

Card play: Three phases per turn – Play, Resolve, and Refresh.

Play: Play Specialist cards to complete jobs or perform actions.

Resolve: Resolve the effects of played cards.

Refresh: Add cards from the Refresh area back to the hand.

Game-end criteria: The game ends when the last ISK token is taken, all Job cards are collected, or there are no cards left in the Specialist Deck and Discard pile.

Player Experience

In Grifters, players take on the roles of crime bosses, managing their gangs to steal ISK (victory points) from the government and rival gangs. The game requires strategic planning, as players must balance completing job cards with using regular actions that can also yield significant ISK. The gameplay involves complex card interactions, such as duplicating opponents’ actions or moving cards around, which adds a layer of strategy and depth.

Pros

Strategic depth: Complex card interactions and strategies.

Novel mechanics: Combines hand management and set building in a unique way.

Thematic coherence: Fits well within the Dystopian Universe with consistent artwork.

Dynamic gameplay: Each turn offers multiple paths to victory.

Cons

Complexity: Some turns can involve lengthy chains of events, requiring careful attention.

Luck factor: Initial Specialist card draw can influence gameplay significantly.

Personal Thoughts on Grifters

Grifters is for players who enjoy complex card games with deep strategic layers. It is ideal for those who appreciate hand management and set building mechanics, and are comfortable with games that require careful planning and execution. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it is a great addition to the Dystopian Universe, offering a fresh take on the genre without the social deduction elements.

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