Succession: Intrigue in the Royal Court (2004) Board Game

Succession: Intrigue in the Royal Court is a board game released in 2004, designed by Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio. The game is set in a medieval royal court, where players take on the roles of nobles vying for power and influence to become the next ruler.

Game Components of Succession: Intrigue in the Royal Court

Game Board: A small, two-panel board displaying the standing of the five contenders for the throne, each with unique special rules and illustrated by Phil Foglio.

Candidate Tokens: Tokens placed on the board to track each candidate’s standing, numbered 1 to 10.

Character Cards: Five player characters (squire, taxman, royalist, wizard, or ambassador) each with special powers.

Intrigue Cards: Cards that initiate votes to increase or decrease candidates’ standings.

Influence Cards: Cards numbered 4 to 9 used to influence votes.

Gold Chips: 72 gold chips (50 single units and 22 five-unit chips) used for voting and other actions.

Event Cards: Cards allowing players to perform various powerful actions.

Pencils and Paper: For auction bidding and voting.

How To Setup Succession: Intrigue in the Royal Court

To set up the game, place the main board in the middle of the table. Each player receives a player board and initial patronage along with four cards. The main board shows the five contenders for the throne, each with a starting standing: Archie the King’s son (7), Galahad the noble knight (3), Archie the bishop (2), Venetia the merchant (2), and Arianna the King’s daughter (1).

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Negotiation: Players make deals during intrigues.

Auction/Bidding: Players vote using influence cards, intrigue cards, or gold.

Variable Player Powers: Each player character and candidate has unique abilities.

Hand Management: Players manage cards to influence votes and gain patronage.

Game Objective

The objective is to have the highest standing with the contender who is eventually elected to the throne. The game ends when a candidate’s standing reaches 10 or when the deck of cards runs out. The player with the highest standing with the winning candidate wins.

Player Experience

**Succession: Intrigue in the Royal Court** offers a rich and dynamic experience where players must navigate complex webs of intrigue and alliances. Players need to strategically manage their resources, form deals, and influence votes to support their chosen candidate. The game is full of twists and turns, making each playthrough unique and engaging.

Pros

Deep Strategic Play: Complex mechanics offer a lot of depth for strategic players.

High Replayability: Varied setups and player choices ensure no two games are the same.

Engaging Theme: The royal court intrigue setting is immersive and engaging.

Variable Player Powers: Unique abilities for each character add variety and strategy.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game has a steep learning curve due to its intricate mechanics.

Resource Management: Managing multiple types of cards and gold can be confusing.

Small Print: Some players may find the special rules on the board hard to read.

Personal Thoughts on Succession: Intrigue in the Royal Court

**Succession: Intrigue in the Royal Court** is ideal for players who enjoy complex strategy, negotiation, and variable player powers. It’s a great fit for those who appreciate games that require careful resource management and tactical thinking. However, due to its complexity, it may not be the best choice for casual or new board game players. This game is perfect for groups of experienced players looking for a challenging and engaging experience.

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