Skytear (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Skytear is a competitive card-driven miniatures game that was released in in 2020. Designed by Anca Albu, Bogdan Antoci, Rafael Dioli, and Marko Fiedler, the game features a fantasy world filled with powerful heroes battling against each other to gain control of the magical essence known as Skytear. With its unique combination of card game mechanics, miniatures, and video game themes, Skytear offers a strategic and immersive gaming experience for 2-4 players.

Game Components of Skytear

28 heroes

Over 65 power cards

2 maps

Miniatures for each hero

Minion tokens

Cards for deckbuilding

Faction-specific cards

Outsider cards

Victory condition cards

How To Setup Skytear

To set up Skytear, players start by selecting one of the three victory conditions for the game. Then, they draft four heroes from four different factions, each hero coming with associated power cards. These cards are shuffled together to form the final deck for the game. The game board, which includes three lanes and two domes (similar to jungles in MOBA games), is set up, and players place their heroes and minions accordingly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card-Driven Mechanics: The game is diceless, relying on modifiers printed on power cards.

Hero Drafting: Players draft heroes from four factions, each with unique gameplay mechanics.

Deckbuilding: Players customize their heroes’ decks with 9 power cards each.

Lane Control: Players compete to take control of the lanes and lead minions to assault enemy towers.

Dome Control: Players can also enter the dome to take control of the outsider.

Victory Conditions: Three possible victory conditions are selected at the start, allowing for bluffing and strategic adaptations.

Minion System: Minions are used to push lanes and support heroes.

Player Experience

Skytear offers a highly replayable and tactical experience. The game combines deckbuilding and card play with miniature tactics, making every decision meaningful and requiring constant readaptations due to the actions of the opponent. The game’s design ensures that strategies are flexible and can be adjusted based on the opponent’s selections. The game takes around 45 minutes to play, making it accessible for those who enjoy deep strategic games without the long gameplay duration.

Pros

High Replayability: Multiple heroes, power cards, and victory conditions ensure unique games each time.

Strategic Depth: The game rewards both strategic planning and tactical adaptations.

Customization: Players can customize heroes’ decks to fit their playstyle.

Visual Appeal: The miniatures and game components are of high quality and visually appealing.

Active Community: The designers are active in the community, providing support and updates.

Organized Play: Designed with organized play in mind, including tournaments and online leagues.

Cons

Complex Setup: Setting up the game can be lengthy.

Minion System: The minion movement system can be a bit fiddly.

Steep Learning Curve: While the ruleset is easier than expected, it still requires some time to fully understand and master.

Personal Thoughts on Skytear

Skytear is perfect for fans of MOBA games and those who enjoy strategic, card-driven miniatures games. It is ideal for players who appreciate deep gameplay mechanics, customization, and high replayability. The game’s ability to capture the essence of MOBA games on a tabletop makes it a standout in its category. If you’re looking for a game that combines intricate strategy with the excitement of competitive gameplay, Skytear is definitely worth checking out.

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