Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents (2015) Board Game

Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents is a board game that simulates the famous rivalry between inventors Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison during the late 19th century. Players take on the roles of rival electric companies, competing to dominate the emerging power industry by building power stations, expanding their networks, and investing in new technologies.

Game Components of Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents

Game board

Player boards

Route tiles

Technology cards

Worker tokens

Stock certificates

Resource tokens

Various other components for tracking progress and resources

How To Setup Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents

Setup involves each player selecting a player board and receiving initial resources and worker tokens. The game board is set up with route tiles and technology cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Players also receive stock certificates to begin their economic journey. Each player starts with a set of basic technologies and resources, ready to dive into the competitive world of electrical innovation.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Build Routes: Players construct electrical routes across the map to connect cities and industries.

Grow Tech Trees: Advance through a technology tree by researching and developing new electrical technologies.

Play the Stock Market: Manage stock holdings to influence the market and gain advantages.

Worker Placement: Assign worker tokens to perform various actions such as research, building routes, and managing resources.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by building efficient electrical routes, advancing technology, and successfully navigating the stock market.

Player Experience

**Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents** offers a dynamic and engaging experience for 2-5 players. The game requires strategic planning, resource management, and a bit of luck. Players must balance their efforts between building routes, advancing technologies, and manipulating the stock market to outmaneuver their opponents. The game’s theme and mechanics create an immersive environment where players feel like they are part of the historical battle between AC and DC electrical systems.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s historical context adds a unique and interesting layer to the gameplay.

Deep Strategy: Combining route building, tech trees, and stock market mechanics offers a rich and challenging experience.

Replayability: Various player actions and random elements ensure high replayability.

Social Interaction: Players can influence each other’s stock holdings, adding a social element to the game.

Cons

Complexity: The game’s multiple mechanics can be overwhelming for new players.

Length: With 20 minutes per player, the game can be quite long, especially with more players.

Component Intensity: Managing numerous components can be cumbersome for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents

**Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents** is ideally suited for fans of economic and industry-themed board games. It is perfect for players who enjoy complex strategy, resource management, and a bit of historical flair. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game enthusiasts due to its complexity, experienced players will find it a compelling and challenging addition to their game collection.

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