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SOL (2016) Board Game

ByMichail

SOL is a board game released in 2016 by designer Pierre Buty and published by Blackrock Games. The game falls under the adventure, deduction, and exploration categories, with a playtime of 30-60 minutes and recommended for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of SOL

  • Board:** Two-sided for 1-4 players and 5 players
  • Player Mats:** Each player receives a mat
  • Pieces:** Movement Tokens, Motherships, Solar Gates, Energy Nodes, Sundiver Foundries, Transmit Towers, Sundivers, and scorekeeping tokens (Arks).

    How To Setup SOL

    Setting up SOL involves several steps. Start by placing the board with the appropriate side for the number of players. Give each player a mat and the pieces of their chosen color. Place all motherships on the board, ensuring they are evenly spaced, with one player having an extra space in front of their mothership to determine the first player. Each player starts with their Movement Token on 3, 8 Sundivers in their Hold, and the remaining items in the Reserve. Each player also receives 3 Energy Cubes. For the Vestigial Structures variant, players take turns adding stations or Solar Gates to the board, following specific placement rules.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Actions:** Move, Convert, or Activate
  • Move:** Move your mothership or Sundivers.
  • Convert:** Draw cards and possibly gain energy or momentum.
  • Activate:** Use stations to gain energy, move Sundivers, or gain momentum.
  • Objective:** Collect energy and momentum to escape the solar system before the sun supernovas.
  • Instability Tracker:** Drawing Instability cards can move the tracker down, leading to the sun’s supernova.
  • Energy Management:** Players must manage energy carefully, as having more than 13 energy cubes results in losing half of them.

    Player Experience

    SOL offers a thematically gripping experience with significant variability due to card effects. The game is praised for its succinct rulebook and player aids, making it easier to understand and play. The game’s visual appeal is also noted, as it looks gorgeous on the table. Players must balance collecting energy and momentum while managing the instability of the sun, creating a tense and engaging gameplay experience.

    Pros

  • Thematic Grip:** The game’s theme of escaping a dying star is highly engaging.
  • Variability:** Card effects add a high level of variability to each game.
  • Visual Appeal:** The game is visually stunning on the table.
  • Clear Rules:** The rulebook and player aids are succinct and easy to follow.

    Cons

  • Complex Setup:** The game has a fair bit of setup involved.
  • Energy Management:** Managing energy to avoid penalties can be challenging.
  • Luck Factor:** Drawing Instability cards can significantly impact the game’s progression.

    Personal Thoughts on SOL

    SOL is ideal for fans of science fiction and strategy games who enjoy a mix of action point allowance and area control mechanics. It is suitable for players who appreciate thematic depth and variability in their games. However, due to its complexity and the need for careful energy management, it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game players.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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