Mogul (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mogul is a board game designed by Marcel-André Casasola Merkle and released in in 2015. It falls under the economic and trains categories, where players act as railway investors trying to build the most profitable network.

Game Components of Mogul

1 game board

37 stock cards

1 crash card (Wall Street Crash)

1 start position placard

Bidding chips

Depot pieces (used as score markers)

Player color markers

How To Setup Mogul

To set up Mogul, each player starts with a specific set of color-coded cards: players one and three receive brown, yellow, and blue cards, while players two and four get purple, blue, and gray cards. Each player takes a Depot piece and places it on the zero space of the score track. The deck of cards is shuffled, with the Wall Street Crash card inserted randomly among the bottom four cards. Players are given six bidding chips each, which must be kept secret from opponents.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

No Thanks Auction Mechanism: Players bid using chips, with the option to pass or continue bidding.

Stock Market Simulation: Players buy and sell shares based on dividends and market conditions.

Secret Bidding: Players keep their bidding chips hidden from opponents.

Game Objective

Accumulate the most dollars (victory points) by strategically buying and selling shares.

Pay dividends to players holding specific color cards when those colors are drawn.

Avoid the Wall Street Crash, which ends the game.

Player Experience

Mogul is described as an elegant and clean game design, easy to learn but offering intense strategic decisions. The game lasts about 45 minutes, making it a borderline filler game that packs a punch. The no-thanks auction mechanism and the tactile experience of passing bidding chips add to the game’s charm and engagement. Players must balance bidding strategies with the risk of the market crash, making for a fun and competitive experience.

Pros

Elegant Design: Simple rules with deep strategic layers.

Tactile Experience: The use of bidding chips enhances gameplay.

Quick Playtime: Lasts about 45 minutes.

Engaging Mechanics: No thanks auction system adds unique strategy.

Cons

Component Management: Players need to keep bidding chips secret, which can be cumbersome.

Limited Availability: The game may be out of stock or hard to find.

Simplicity: Some players might find it too straightforward.

Personal Thoughts on Mogul

Mogul is ideal for players who enjoy economic and stock-market themed games with a strong focus on bidding and strategic timing. It’s a great choice for those looking for a game that is easy to learn but still offers complex decision-making. If you can find a copy, Mogul is highly recommended for its unique blend of strategy and charm.

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