Grifters: Nexus (2018) Board Game

Grifters: Nexus is a standalone expansion to the original Grifters game, which was released in in 2018. Designed by Jarek Nocoń, Daniel Solis, and Dawid Urbaniak, this card game is set in a world of criminal masterminds and cunning con artists. Players take on the roles of competing crime syndicates, trying to outsmart and outmaneuver their opponents to become the most successful grifters in the city.

Game Components of Grifters: Nexus

Specialist cards: 15 new ones introduced

Job cards: New job card system

Cool down mechanisms: Same core mechanics as the original Grifters

Operative cards: For recruiting new operatives with specialized skills

ISK (in-game currency)

Other cards for cons, blackmail, and heists

How To Setup Grifters: Nexus

To set up the game, players need to prepare their starting decks, shuffle and draw initial hands, and place the various card piles and ISK tokens within reach. Each player begins with a basic set of operatives and resources. The detailed setup involves organizing the new specialist cards, job cards, and ensuring all players have equal starting conditions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players manage their deck of operatives and action cards.

Deck Building: Players expand their deck by recruiting new operatives and acquiring new cards.

Take-That Mechanics: Players can steal ISK from each other through cons, blackmail, and heists.

Cool Down Mechanisms: Certain cards have cool down periods before they can be used again.

Objective: The player with the most ISK at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

In **Grifters: Nexus**, players immerse themselves in a world of high-stakes crime and cunning strategies. The game encourages strategic thinking, resource management, and a bit of luck. Players must balance between building their criminal empire and sabotaging their opponents. The game supports 2-4 players and typically lasts about 30 minutes.

Pros

Engaging Theme: Set in a dystopian universe with a compelling crime boss narrative.

Strategic Depth: Combines hand management, deck building, and take-that mechanics for a challenging experience.

Replayability: New specialist cards and job card system add variety to each game.

Short Playtime: Games are relatively quick, lasting about 30 minutes.

Cons

Complexity: The game has multiple mechanics that can be overwhelming for new players.

Player Interaction: Some players might find the take-that aspect too aggressive or frustrating.

Availability: The game can be out of stock or hard to find.

Personal Thoughts on Grifters: Nexus

**Grifters: Nexus** is perfect for fans of strategic card games and those who enjoy a bit of competitive interaction. It is ideal for groups of 2-4 players who are looking for a game that combines depth with a relatively short playtime. However, new players may need to invest some time to understand the various mechanics and strategies involved. Overall, it’s a great addition to any board game collection for those who enjoy complex, thematic games.

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