Spoils of War (2017) Board Game

Spoils of War is a board game released in 2017, designed by Nick Deligaris and David Kegg. The game is published by Arcane Wonders and falls under the categories of bluffing and dice games. With a playtime of 45-60 minutes, Spoils of War is designed for 3-5 players aged 14 and above.

Game Components of Spoils of War

Dice: Each player receives a set of dice and a dice cup.

Gold Coins: $70 gold coins per player, used for betting and tracking victory points.

Player Screens: To hide players’ money and treasure cards.

Treasure Cards: Include armor, weapons, jewelry, dragon eggs, and magical artifacts.

Artifact Cards: Special cards with unique abilities, such as manipulating dice or peeking at other players’ dice.

Challenge Disc: Used to initiate a challenge during the bidding phase.

Treasure Piles: Face-down and face-up card stacks setup at the beginning of each stage.

How To Setup Spoils of War

To set up the game, each player is given a set of dice, a dice cup, $70 gold coins, and a player screen. The game is divided into three stages, with each stage involving the setup of treasure piles. The treasure cards are shuffled and arranged into three face-down piles, with normal treasure cards placed face up and artifact cards kept face down. The Viking Chief selects one of these piles to start the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players secretly roll their dice at the start of each round.

Bidding: Players bid on the number of dice showing a specific value among all players’ hidden dice.

Challenging: A player can challenge the current bid, leading to a reveal of dice and resolution of the bet.

Betting: Players bet on whether the challenger or the declarer is correct, using gold coins.

Treasure Collection: The winning players get to pick treasure cards, with the highest bidder choosing first.

Artifact Abilities: Players can use artifact cards to manipulate the game state.

Set Collection: Players aim to collect sets of treasure cards for bonus points.

Game Objective: The player with the most gold points, earned from gold coins, treasure cards, and sets, wins the game.

Player Experience

**Spoils of War** is renowned for its engaging social interactions and the constant involvement of all players in every round. The game encourages bluffing, strategic betting, and clever use of artifact abilities. Players must balance their bets carefully, as losing can reduce their victory points. The dynamic of players encouraging or discouraging challenges adds a layer of fun and negotiation to the game.

Pros

Engaging Social Interactions: Every player is involved in each round, promoting table talk and strategy.

Strategic Depth: Balancing bets and using artifact abilities adds complexity and fun.

Variety in Treasure: Multiple types of treasure and artifact cards keep the game interesting.

Quick Games: Typically lasts 45-60 minutes, making it a good fit for game nights.

Cons

Repetitive Gameplay: Some players find the game repetitive after multiple plays.

Luck Factor: Dice rolling introduces a significant luck element, which may not appeal to all players.

Length Variability: Game length can vary based on player decisiveness.

Personal Thoughts on Spoils of War

**Spoils of War** is perfect for groups who enjoy lighthearted bluffing games with auction mechanics. It’s ideal for those who appreciate the social aspect of gaming and are willing to engage in strategic betting and negotiations. While it may not offer deep strategic gameplay for experienced gamers, it provides a fun and interactive experience that is easy to learn and play. For fans of Viking-themed games or those looking for a game that combines luck, strategy, and social interaction, **Spoils of War** is a great addition to any game collection.

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