Spellbound (2012) Board Game

Spellbound is a cooperative board game that was released in in 2012. Designed by Vitaly S. Alexius, Paolo Chiari, Vicki Dalton, and Jeremiah Morelli, this game takes players on an adventure in a fantasy world filled with magic and mystery. The game is known for its deck-building and pool-building mechanics, where players must work together to defeat evil forces and save the kingdom.

Game Components of Spellbound

Board

4 mages

5 spell books

4 witch hats

A troll

A City Watchman

A witch

A bag

20 stones

90 cards

16 different decks of ally cards (e.g., Knight, Dragon, Dark Elf).

How To Setup Spellbound

To set up the game, place the figures on the board: the troll on the wilderness track, one witch hat in each city, the witch in the witch’s tower, and books on the fourth space of each track. Mages start in the wilderness. Create a starting destiny deck with 15 basic cards, four witch cards, Fortuna, and the City Watchman ally card (for 1-2 players). Form villages by taking one card from each of the 16 ally sets, removing seven randomly, adding the Witch’s Tower, Fortuna, and Fairy Spring cards, then shuffling and placing one next to each of the 12 village spaces. Shuffle the wicked deck, add a troll card to the bottom, and turn it face up. Place two moonstones and three sunstones in the bag. Cards are revealed from the destiny deck until there are five, with wicked cards placed on an upper row and hats moved accordingly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Cooperative gameplay

Deck-building

Card drafting

Movement and resource management

Game Objective:

Collect spellbooks to banish the evil witch and reverse the curse.

Send cards to the witch’s tower, benefiting either the players or the witch.

Play or discard mage cards to move mages, charge wands, or recruit allies.

Research to move books along tracks and draw spells.

Manage witch encounters, resolving wicked card actions and engaging in skirmishes.

Player Experience

In **Spellbound**, players take on the roles of mages transformed by an evil witch. The game requires strategic teamwork and efficient use of cards to progress. Players must balance their actions between moving mages, recruiting allies, and researching spellbooks while managing the ever-increasing threat of the witch. The game’s dynamic setup and variable ally cards ensure a unique experience each time it is played.

Pros

Unique and engaging cooperative gameplay.

High replayability due to variable ally cards and dynamic setup.

Detailed and thematic components.

Encourages strategic planning and teamwork.

Cons

Complex rules may require multiple plays to fully understand.

Limited player count (1-4 players).

High dependency on luck during card draws and encounters.

Personal Thoughts on Spellbound

**Spellbound** is ideal for fans of cooperative games and deck-builders who appreciate thematic and detailed game components. It is particularly suited for families or small groups looking for a challenging yet rewarding cooperative experience. While it may have a steep learning curve, the game’s depth and replayability make it a worthwhile addition to any board game collection.

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