Harald (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Harald is a card game designed by Emmanuel Civiello and was released in in 2015. The game is published by Eagle-Gryphon Games and RUNES Editions. It is set in a medieval world and revolves around animal characters competing for the throne.

Game Components of Harald

Deck of Cards: Includes various profession cards and reference cards.

Reference Cards: Provide iconography and powers of each card type.

Council and Village: Areas where players place their cards to score points.

Artwork: Based on illustrations from the original card game, highly praised for quality[3,.

How To Setup Harald

To set up Harald, each player is dealt five cards from the deck. The remaining deck is placed to the side, and four cards are drawn and placed face up as a ‘market’. Players then secretly play one card in front of themselves to start their village. The starting player chooses their first card, and play begins.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Placement: Players place cards from their hand into the Council and their Village.

Scoring: Points are scored based on the number of cards of a particular profession in the Council and Village.

Special Actions: Each profession card has unique skills and conditions for scoring bonus points.

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

Player Experience

Harald is a game that appears simple at first but reveals a complex strategic depth. Players must balance their village and the Council, leveraging special actions to sabotage opponents or enhance their own score. The game is quick, lasting 10-20 minutes, but requires careful planning and adaptability as opponents’ moves can significantly impact your strategy.

Pros

Engaging Artwork: The game features beautiful, detailed illustrations.

Strategic Depth: Offers a delicate balancing act between village and Council, making it challenging and engaging.

Short Games: Ideal for players with limited time, as games are relatively short.

Variants: Includes variants such as team play and removing prestige points.

Cons

Complexity: Can be too complicated for average players, requiring time to learn all nuances.

Limited Online Play: Difficulty in finding human opponents online can reduce the game’s longevity.

No Steam Achievements or Trading Cards: Lack of integration with Steam features.

Personal Thoughts on Harald

Harald is a game tailored for fans of strategic, abstract card games. It is ideal for players who enjoy deep, tactical gameplay and are willing to invest time in mastering the game’s mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual players due to its complexity, it offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy games like *Settlers of Catan* or *Carcassonne*. If you’re looking for a quick yet intellectually stimulating game, Harald is definitely worth considering.

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