HMS Dolores (2016) Board Game

HMS Dolores is a card game released in 2016 by renowned designers Bruno Faidutti and Eric M. Lang. Set in a world of pirates and high seas adventure, the game revolves around negotiation and strategic decision-making. With its unique combination of prisoner’s dilemma, rock-paper-scissors, set collection, and simultaneous action selection mechanics, HMS Dolores offers a thrilling and immersive gameplay experience for 2-4 players.

Game Components of HMS Dolores

70 “goods” cards, each of 7 different types with values from 1 to 3.

9 special action cards (“message cards”) that modify game rules.

A dawn card that signals the end of the game.

How To Setup HMS Dolores

To set up HMS Dolores, shuffle the deck of goods cards and the special action cards together, excluding some of the special action cards if a simplified version is preferred. Each player starts with no cards. Four new treasure cards are drawn and placed in front of the players, two for each player. The dawn card is shuffled into the last 15 cards of the deck to mark the game’s end.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Prisoner’s Dilemma: Players engage in simultaneous decision-making, similar to the prisoner’s dilemma problem.

Rock-Paper-Scissors: Players choose between “peace,” “war,” or “first pick” to split the loot.

Set Collection: Players collect sets of goods cards to maximize scoring.

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players make decisions simultaneously on how to split the loot.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most points by collecting sets of goods cards. Players score points for the sets they have the most and least of, with special rules for tied sets and sets with the same total value.

Player Experience

HMS Dolores is a game of negotiation and strategic decision-making. Players must recognize what their opponents need and negotiate to achieve the best outcomes. The game encourages bluffing and careful planning, as the scoring system is complex and rewards strategic thinking. Each game lasts about 20 minutes, and the game is suitable for players aged 10 and up.

Pros

Engaging Negotiations: The game fosters interesting and dynamic negotiations between players.

Strategic Depth: The unique scoring system requires players to think strategically about which cards to collect.

Short Playtime: Games are relatively short, lasting around 20 minutes.

Variable Gameplay: The use of special action cards can significantly alter the game flow.

Cons

Complex Scoring: The scoring system can be confusing and may lead to significant scoring disparities.

Emotional Impact: The game’s focus on backstabbing and negotiation can be emotionally taxing for some players.

Accessibility Issues: The game may present challenges for players with visual impairments or memory issues due to the need to track various sets and negotiate effectively.

Personal Thoughts on HMS Dolores

HMS Dolores is ideal for players who enjoy strategic negotiation and are fascinated by game theory, particularly the prisoner’s dilemma. It is not a thematic game but excels in providing a unique and engaging gameplay experience. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a highly thematic game or those who are sensitive to the potential emotional impact of backstabbing mechanics. Overall, HMS Dolores is a cleverly designed game that challenges players to navigate complex negotiations and strategic card collection.

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