Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker (2018) Board Game

Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker is a fantasy board game that was released in in 2018. It is designed for 2 to 5 players, with the best experience being for 4 to 5 players. The game combines elements of bluffing, card game, deduction, fantasy, and negotiation, making it a unique and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker

Royal Cards: Each player starts with three royal cards face-up.

Player Cards: A full hand of eleven cards, including attack and court cards.

Attack Nomination Cards: Four cards per player, each in a different color.

Court Cards: Special ability cards that can change or negate attacks.

Gold Card: Allows players to buy back a card from the discard pile.

Thief Card: Counter to the gold card.

How To Setup Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker

To set up the game, assign each player a color and give them their three royalty cards, which are placed face-up in front of them. Each player also receives the other cards of their color and four attack nomination cards. If there are fewer than five players, the remaining “players” are set up as dummy players who play randomly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Simultaneous Card Play: Players play one card from their hand face-down.

Card Resolution: Cards are revealed and actions are resolved in a specific order.

Elimination: The player with the most attacks must remove one of their royals.

Special Abilities: Court cards can change or negate attacks.

Scoring: Points are awarded for remaining royals and cards in hand.

Game Objective

Eliminate Opponents: Wear down other houses until only your royals remain.

Maximize Points: Accumulate points from remaining cards and royals to win.

Player Experience

**Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker** is a fast-paced game that combines strategy and social play. Players must form temporary alliances and betray each other to advance their agenda. The game’s short playtime of about 15-30 minutes makes it ideal for a quick break or as a filler between longer games. The surprise element of card reveals and the need to carefully manage card plays add a layer of excitement and mental challenge.

Pros

Quick Playtime: Games are short, lasting about 15-30 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Involves significant strategy and social play.

Variable Player Powers: Court cards offer unique abilities to manipulate the game.

Engaging Gameplay: The surprise element of card reveals keeps players engaged.

Cons

Random Elements: Dummy players can introduce randomness that may affect strategy.

Luck Factor: The draw of cards can influence the game’s outcome.

Complexity for New Players: May require a few plays to fully understand the mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker

**Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker** is perfect for fans of games like **Coup**, **Resistance**, and **Love Letter**. It suits players who enjoy strategic elimination and bluffing social games. The game’s balance of social interaction, strategy, and luck makes it appealing to a wide range of players. However, it may not be ideal for those seeking highly cooperative or complex, long-duration games. If you enjoy quick, mentally stimulating games with a good dose of social intrigue, **Kingdom of Aer: Kingmaker** is definitely worth a try.

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