Guards of Atlantis II (2022) Board Game

Guards of Atlantis II is a board game that was released in 2022, designed by Wolff Designa. It falls into the categories of Fantasy, Miniatures, Video Game Theme, and Wargame. The game is best played with 4 to 6 players and has a runtime of 90 to 120 minutes. The game features elements such as Campaign/Battle Card Driven mechanics, Grid Movement, Hand Management, Simultaneous Action Selection, Team-Based gameplay, and Variable Player Powers.

Game Components of Guards of Atlantis II

22 Heroes: Each with unique character decks and playstyles.

Hex-based Map: For strategic movement and battles.

Character Cards: Featuring stats such as initiative, movement, defense, attack, range, and text effects.

Minions and Enemy Figures: Controlled by opposing teams.

Money and Upgrade System: For upgrading cards after each round.

Life Counters: To track heroes’ health.

How To Setup Guards of Atlantis II

To set up the game, each team starts in their corner of the hex-based map. The first turn involves “fast movement” to teleport into the next zone, setting up the initial battle in the middle zone. Subsequent turns involve movement to get into position and then using card effects or attacks. The battlefield moves to an adjacent zone after each battle, with minions respawning.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Card Play: Players choose and reveal a card from their hand each turn, resolved in initiative order.

Team-Based: Teams of human players control heroes and minions.

Upgradable Cards: Earn money to upgrade cards after each round.

Multiple Victory Conditions:
– Win enough battles in a row to push the battlefield into the enemy’s corner.
– Defeat enemy heroes enough times to eliminate all their life counters.
– Win the final battle in a fifth-battle tiebreaker.

Strategic Movement: Use cards to maneuver around the map to dodge, chase, and attack enemies.

Player Experience

**Guards of Atlantis II** offers a highly interactive and strategic experience, reminiscent of games like **Gloomhaven** but with the added dynamic of opposing human teams. Players must constantly adapt their strategies, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals. The game requires a dedicated group of players willing to invest time and energy into mastering the complex mechanics.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Multiple victory conditions and upgradable cards offer depth and replayability.

Unique Characters: 22 heroes with distinct playstyles encourage diverse team compositions.

Dynamic Battles: Human-controlled teams add unpredictability and teamwork elements.

Upgradable Cards: Significant boosts to cards enhance player power and adaptability.

Cons

Complex Setup: Requires a significant amount of time and effort to set up and learn.

Niche Appeal: Needs a dedicated group of players, which can be challenging to gather.

Limited Availability: Currently out of stock, with shipping restrictions to the US and Canada.

Personal Thoughts on Guards of Atlantis II

**Guards of Atlantis II** is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay and are willing to invest time into learning and mastering the game. It is particularly suited for groups who enjoy team-based games and the dynamic of human vs. human competition. However, its niche appeal and complex mechanics may make it less accessible to casual gamers.

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