Shogun (2006) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Shogun is a board game that was originally released in in 2006. Designed by Dirk Henn and published by Queen Games, it is a strategic game set in medieval Japan where players take on the roles of daimyos vying for control of the country.

Game Components of Shogun

Game Board with two different sides (sun and moon symbols)

5 Daimyo Cards for player turn order

5 Individual Boards with two sides each

Province cards

Army cubes (64 per player)

Tall and short disks for tracking victory points and rice

War chests (tokens)

Castle, temple, and Nô theater buildings

Revolt markers

Cube Tower (unique battle resolution mechanism)

Special cards and action cards

Rule booklets in five languages.

How To Setup Shogun

To set up Shogun, players start by placing their individual boards and selecting their Daimyo cards and corresponding color sets. Each player receives a set of 64 army cubes, tall and short disks, and an initial amount of war chests (12 in a 5-player game, 15 in a 4-player game, and 18 in a 3-player game). Players deploy their army groups to their starting provinces by transferring them from their individual boards to the game board. The province cards are distributed, and the game board is prepared with the action cards and special cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Each Daimyo has 10 possible actions to develop their kingdom, such as building castles, temples, and Nô theaters, confiscating rice, and battling for provinces.

Battle Resolution: The unique Cube Tower is used to resolve battles between armies; cubes from both sides are thrown in, and those that fall out at the bottom determine the winner.

Province Control: Players aim to control as many provinces as possible and build buildings in each region to earn bonus points.

Resource Management: Players manage war chests to pay for actions and buildings.

Turn Order: Players bid for turn order using special cards.

Objective: The goal is to have the most victory points by controlling provinces, building structures, and successfully executing actions. The player with the highest number of points becomes the Shogun.

Player Experience

Playing Shogun involves a deep strategic layer where players must balance long-term army investments with short-term tactical decisions. The game is known for its complex mechanics, including secret resource allocation, bidding for turn order, and the use of special cards like ninja and ronin. Players need to manage their provinces, buildings, and armies carefully to achieve dominance. The game’s unique Cube Tower adds an element of unpredictability to battles, making each conflict exciting and immediate.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers complex and engaging gameplay with multiple layers of strategy.

Unique Mechanics: The Cube Tower and special cards like ninja and ronin add unique elements to the game.

Historical Setting: Set in the intriguing Sengoku period of Japan, providing a rich historical context.

Replayability: High replay value due to the variety of actions and strategies available.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for casual gamers due to its intricate rules and setup.

Setup Time: Known for a lengthy setup process.

Cost and Size: The game is relatively expensive and requires significant space for components.

Personal Thoughts on Shogun

Shogun is a game tailored for enthusiasts of strategic board games who appreciate complexity and depth. It is ideal for those who enjoy resource management, area control, and strategic planning. While it may not be as popular as some other games like Risk, Shogun offers a more mechanically interesting experience that rewards players for their strategic thinking and tactical execution. However, due to its complexity and lengthy setup, it is not suitable for casual gamers or those looking for a quick gaming session.

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