Mountaineers (2019) Board Game

Mountaineers is a board game released in 2019, designed by Corey Wright and illustrated by Massif Games, LLC. It falls under the adventure and exploration category, with gameplay mechanics such as area majority/influence, modular board, pattern building, point-to-point movement, and variable player powers. The game is suitable for 1-6 players, with an average runtime of 30-180 minutes and is recommended for players aged 13 and above.

Game Components of Mountaineers

Mountain Sides: Hundreds of pieces forming 120 mountain combinations.

Conditions Board: Includes Condition Change Event Cards and a Condition Marker.

Event Cards: Two types, including Condition Change Event Cards and regular Event Cards.

Climbing Route cards: Secret routes for players to complete.

Character Cards: Each player gets two, with different abilities.

Supplies: 20-30 tokens based on player experience.

Carabiners: For climbing.

Climbers and Pitons: For tracking progress on the mountain.

Score Tokens: For keeping track of points.

Automated Climbers and AC Cards: For lower player counts.

Die: Used for automated players.

How To Setup Mountaineers

To set up Mountaineers, start by assembling the mountain using the Mountain Sides and securing them with rubber bands. Place the Conditions Board nearby and shuffle the Event Cards, separating the Condition Change Event Cards. Each player receives 10 Event Cards, 6 Climbing Route cards, two Character Cards, Supplies, Carabiners, and their Climbers and Pitons. For games with fewer than three players, use automated players with AC Cards and a die.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics

Event Cards: Drawn at the start of each turn, influencing gameplay.

Condition Changes: Weather and other conditions affecting the climb.

Route Completion: Completing secret routes for points.

Sabotage: Occasional sabotage of peers for safety and strategy.

Supply Management: Managing resources to sustain the climb.

Game Objective

The goal is to score the most points by climbing the mountain, completing routes, and achieving event card goals while managing supplies and navigating changing conditions.

Player Experience

Mountaineers offers a dynamic and challenging experience, requiring strategic planning and adaptability. Players must balance resource management, route completion, and the unpredictable conditions of the mountain. The game’s complexity and variability ensure a different experience each time, making it engaging for multiple plays.

Pros

High Replayability: With hundreds of mountain combinations and varied Event Cards.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Interactive Elements: Includes sabotage and competition elements.

Scalable: Supports 1-6 players, though best with 3 or 4.

Cons

Complex Setup: Requires careful assembly of the mountain and distribution of components.

Automated Players: Less engaging for lower player counts due to the use of automated climbers.

Variable Play Time: Can range from 30 to 180 minutes, which may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Mountaineers

Mountaineers is ideal for fans of strategic and adventure games who enjoy a mix of resource management, route planning, and competitive elements. It is particularly suited for groups of 3-4 players, where the dynamic of competition and cooperation is most pronounced. However, its complexity and lengthy setup may not appeal to casual gamers or those looking for a quick, light-hearted experience.

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