Life Siphon (2019) Board Game

Life Siphon is a board game released in 2019 that falls under the fantasy, fighting, and medieval genres. Designed by Nick Nazzaro and featuring artwork by Lay Waste Games, this game is geared towards 2 to 4 players aged 13 and up. With a playtime of 20 to 40 minutes, Life Siphon offers a mix of strategy and hand management mechanics for an engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Life Siphon

Game Board: Divided into quadrants for each player, each with areas for familiar summoning, movement, the river, and the battleground.

Familiars: Metal components including Imps, Liches, and Dread Knights.

Aspects: Cards representing abilities players can use during the game.

River Cards: Cards drawn during the game to aid players.

Skulls: Tokens representing players’ life force, starting at 20.

Spell Cards: Fast and slow spells with various functions and life costs.

How To Setup Life Siphon

To set up Life Siphon, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Set out the familiars nearby and place the Aspects within reach. Each player starts with a skull token on 20, indicating their starting life. Give each player one card and flip three face-up next to the deck as River Cards. Once everything is in place, choose a starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Regenerate Phase: Players gain one life and additional life equal to the number of familiars in the River area.

Familiar Movement: Players move familiars through different areas of their quadrant.

Combat: Players can attack the player to their left and defend against the player to their right using familiars and spells.

Spell Usage: Fast spells can be played anytime, while slow spells are restricted to the main phase of a player’s turn.

Objective: The game continues until one player’s life force drops to zero; the player who dealt the final blow wins.

Player Experience

In Life Siphon, players are immersed in a dark, foreboding world where they must balance life preservation with aggressive strategies. The game is quick to learn but challenging to master, requiring players to make tough decisions about when to attack, defend, or draw new spells. The metal components and dark art style enhance the game’s thematic appeal.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s dark and sinister setting is well-supported by its art style and components.

Strategic Depth: Players must constantly weigh the costs of their actions, making for a deeply strategic game.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last around 20 minutes, making it accessible for various player counts.

Innovative Mechanics: The game introduces unique mechanics like the Regenerate Phase and the use of familiars and spells.

Cons

Luck Element: The game involves card luck, which may not appeal to everyone.

High Dependency on Strategy: New players might find the need for strategic planning overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Life Siphon

Life Siphon is ideal for players who enjoy competitive, tactical games with a dark twist. It’s perfect for those who appreciate the tension between life preservation and aggressive play. The game’s short playtime and easy-to-learn rules make it accessible to a wide range of players, while its strategic depth will appeal to experienced gamers looking for a challenge. If you’re ready to dive into a cursed world where only the most cunning survive, Life Siphon is definitely worth a try.

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