Puzzle Strike: Third Edition (2012) Board Game

Puzzle Strike: Third Edition is a deck-building card game designed by David Sirlin. It was first released in 2012 and has since gained a dedicated fan base for its unique take on the deck-building genre. The game is inspired by puzzle video games, and players must strategically build their decks to send “gem chips” to their opponents in order to defeat them.

Game Components of Puzzle Strike: Third Edition

Cardboard chips (large amount, sizes similar to poker chips)

Player boards for organizing gem and discard piles

Cloth bags (4) for drawing chips

Screens to hide players’ hands

Plastic insert for chip storage in the box.

How To Setup Puzzle Strike: Third Edition

To set up the game, each player selects a fighter with three unique starting actions. Players organize their gem and discard piles on their player boards and use the cloth bags to draw their starting hand of chips. The shared bank of chips is prepared, and each player’s screen is set up to conceal their hand. The plastic insert helps keep all components sorted and secured.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Asymmetrical Deck-Building: Players start with unique actions and purchase additional actions from a shared bank.

Chip Drawing: Players draw a hand of chips each turn from cloth bags.

Gem Management: Players aim to avoid having 10 or more gems in their pile at the end of their turn to prevent losing.

Action Combos: Players strategize on which chips to buy, play, and in what order to create effective combos.

Opponent Interaction: Send gems to opponents’ piles using specific actions.

Player Experience

Puzzle Strike works best as a 2-player game or in 2v2 teams, though it can accommodate up to 4 players. The game involves strategic decision-making on chip purchases and play order. In larger games (3+ players), the game can become chaotic, and kingmaker scenarios are more likely. The components are of decent quality, with sturdy cardboard and well-designed storage.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: Uses chips instead of cards, adding a tactile element.

Strategic Depth: Allows for complex decision-making and combo planning.

Asymmetrical Start: Each fighter has unique starting actions, offering varied gameplay experiences.

Well-Designed Components: Includes a plastic insert for organized storage and cloth bags for chip drawing.

Cons

Chaotic in Larger Games: Games with 3 or more players can lose strategic focus and become chaotic.

Kingmaker Scenarios: Larger games are prone to kingmaker scenarios where one player’s actions decide the outcome for others.

Component Quality: While decent, the components are not of the highest quality, such as those from Fantasy Flight Games.

Personal Thoughts on Puzzle Strike: Third Edition

Puzzle Strike: Third Edition is ideal for fans of deck-building games looking for a unique twist. It’s particularly suited for those who enjoy strategic gameplay and tactical planning. The asymmetrical starter sets and chip mechanic make it stand out in the genre. However, players who prefer games with consistent strategic depth in all player counts might find the larger game modes less appealing.

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