Patrician (2007) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Patrician is a board game released in 2007, designed by Michael Schacht and published by AMIGO. The game is set in a medieval theme and focuses on area majority, influence, hand management, and set collection mechanics. Players take on the role of influential patricians in the city, competing to gain power and prestige.

Game Components of Patrician

Tower pieces

City boards

Hand cards with various icons and special powers

Player pieces in different colors (note: certain colors are only available with specific player counts)

Patrician portraits for scoring

How To Setup Patrician

To set up Patrician, each player selects a set of player pieces based on the number of players. The city boards are laid out, and each player is given a starting hand of three cards. The remaining cards are placed face down next to their respective city spaces, with one card turned face up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Majority: Players aim to control the most tower pieces in each city.

Hand Management: Players must manage their hand cards to add tower pieces to cities.

Set Collection: Collecting sets of three matching icons on cards scores points.

Special Powers: Certain cards allow players to move tower pieces or trigger other benefits.

Objective: Score points by controlling the tallest towers in various cities and collecting sets of matching icons.

Player Experience

Patrician is known for its fast-paced gameplay and simple rules. Players need to strategically time when to play their cards to finish off a city section, as this can secure area majority scoring. The game has a logical progression, making it easy to learn and play quickly. However, the randomness of drawing new cards can introduce luck, which may appeal less to strategy-focused players.

Pros

Fast gameplay, lasting 15-20 minutes

Easy to learn and teach

Strategic timing for area majority scoring

Special power cards add variety and strategy

Cons

Randomness in drawing new cards can be luck-based

Limited planning for set collection due to the small hand size

Certain player pieces are only available with specific player counts

Personal Thoughts on Patrician

Patrician is ideal for those looking for a quick, light-hearted game that combines area control and hand management. While it may not offer deep strategic complexity, its fast pace and simple rules make it a great filler game before longer sessions. It shines best with a full five-player count, where the competition for tower control is at its highest. For fans of area majority games and those seeking a quick, engaging experience, Patrician is a solid choice, though it may not be the go-to for serious strategy enthusiasts.

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