Raid & Trade is a board game released in 2015, designed by Michael Andresakis and Anthony Cournoyer. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players compete to survive and thrive in a harsh environment. The game combines elements of exploration, miniatures, negotiation, and science fiction, offering a unique gaming experience for 3-5 players.
Game Components of Raid & Trade
Modular board: Composed of map tiles, allowing for a different layout each game.Character models: 6 sculpted models representing different skills (mechanic, trader, electrician, bodyguard, and medic).Raid cards: Associated with different types of buildings, influencing the outcome of raids.Resources: Tools, scraps, mechanics, electronics, etc., used for crafting items.Quest cards: Secret quests from the Golden City that players must fulfill.Action points: Used to perform various actions such as movement, raiding, crafting, and trading.Combat dice: Unique to each character, used for resolving combat between players.Incident cards: Provide one-time bonuses or penalties.Favor discs: Represent social status and are crucial for winning the game.
How To Setup Raid & Trade
To set up the game, players begin by creating the modular board according to the guidelines in the rulebook. This involves arranging map tiles to form the wasteland area. Each player chooses a character and receives their unique items and resources. The deck of Raid cards, Quest cards, and Incident cards are shuffled and placed within reach. Players start with 15 action points, and the player with the least amount of resources becomes the starting player.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Action Points: Players spend 15 action points each round to perform actions like movement, raiding buildings, crafting items, trading resources, and resolving combat.Raiding: Players can raid buildings by spending action points and drawing Raid cards, which may require rolling a Raid die for success.Crafting: Players use resources to craft items, gaining skill points.Trading: Players can trade resources, items, or Incident cards with other players or the Black Market.Combat: Resolved using unique Combat dice, allowing players to steal resources or Favor discs.Quests: Players must fulfill three secret quests from the Golden City to progress.Objective: The game ends when a player achieves one of the winning conditions: reaching 20 skill points, fulfilling three quests, or gaining 10 Favor points.
Player Experience
In **Raid & Trade**, players immerse themselves in a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce and survival is key. Each character has unique skills and items, making the gameplay experience asymmetric. Players navigate the modular board, raid buildings, make moral decisions, and engage in combat or trade with other players. The game’s variability, thanks to the modular board and diverse character abilities, ensures that each game is different.
Pros
High Replayability: Modular board and varied character skills ensure unique gameplay each time.Deep Strategy: Combination of resource management, crafting, and social status manipulation.Interactive Gameplay: Players engage in trading, combat, and negotiations.Thematic Immersion: Post-apocalyptic theme is well-integrated into the mechanics and components.
Cons
Complex Rules: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous mechanics and components.Long Playtime: Games can last around 90 minutes, which may be too long for some players.Resource Management: Managing resources and action points can be challenging and frustrating at times.
Personal Thoughts on Raid & Trade
**Raid & Trade** is ideal for fans of post-apocalyptic themes and those who enjoy complex, strategic board games. It is best suited for experienced gamers who appreciate resource management, crafting, and social interaction. The game’s high replayability and deep strategy make it a great addition to any board game collection, but it may not be the best fit for casual or new players due to its complexity.
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