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The Witcher (2007) Board Game

ByMichail

The Witcher Board Game is based on the popular series of novels by Andrzej Sapkowski and the video game adaptation by CD Projekt Red. The game was released in 2007 and has since gained a loyal following among fans of the fantasy genre.

Game Components of The Witcher: Old World

  • Map/Game board**
  • Action Cards** (in five colors representing defense, light attack, heavy attack, offensive magic, and defensive magic)
  • Potion Cards**
  • Trophy Cards**
  • Event Cards**
  • Exploration Cards** (City/Wilds)
  • Gold Tokens**
  • Poker Dice**
  • Area Tokens**
  • Monster cards** and **Monster tokens**
  • Witcher figurines** and **player markers**
  • Reputation tokens**
  • Companions** and **equipment**

    How To Setup The Witcher: Old World

    Setting up the game involves a considerable amount of time, often over an hour for a five-player game. Each player selects a Witcher from one of the five schools, each with unique specialities. Players start with a deck of 10 identical action cards in five colors. The game board is populated with various tokens, cards, and monsters. Each character has a character level and four abilities (Combat, Defence, Alchemy, and a unique School speciality) starting at level 1 and maxing out at level 5.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Game Phases

  • Phase I: Movement and Actions**
    – Discard a card to move to a new location matching the terrain symbol.
    – Perform actions such as training, playing dice poker, tracking monsters, and gaining gold or potions.

  • Phase II: Combat, Exploration, and Meditation**
    – Fight a monster or another Witcher if present.
    – Explore city or wilderness areas with story-driven choices.
    – Meditate to gain a trophy if an ability is maxed out.

  • Phase III: Picking Cards**
    – Discard cards and draw a new hand.
    – Buy a new card from the available cards on the board by discarding the required number of cards.

    Game Objective

  • The goal is to be the first player to earn four trophies, which can be achieved by defeating monsters, other Witchers, or maxing out one of the abilities. The final trophy must be from a fight.

    Player Experience

    Playing **The Witcher: Old World** is a socially engaging experience despite its complex setup and lengthy gameplay. Each turn can be quite long, allowing for social interaction and relaxation. The game combines strategy with fun elements like exploring lore through story-driven exploration cards and engaging in card-based combat. The deck-building mechanic allows players to strengthen their Witchers over time, but also requires careful management to avoid running out of cards during combat.

    Pros

  • Deep Strategy: Combines worker placement and deck-building for a rich strategic experience.
  • Social Interaction: Encourages socializing during lengthy turns.
  • Lore and Story: Provides engaging story-driven exploration and quests.
  • Replayability: High due to multiple Witcher schools, various monsters, and diverse exploration cards.

    Cons

  • Complex Setup: Setup can take over an hour.
  • Long Gameplay: Turns can be very long, taking anywhere from 3-25 minutes.
  • Steep Learning Curve: Combat mechanics can be convoluted and take time to grasp.

    Personal Thoughts on The Witcher: Old World

    **The Witcher: Old World** is ideal for groups of players who enjoy complex strategy games and are willing to invest time in learning the mechanics. It offers a great balance between strategy and social interaction, making it perfect for game nights with friends who appreciate deep gameplay and are patient enough to navigate the intricacies. However, it may not be the best choice for casual or quick game sessions due to its lengthy setup and gameplay.

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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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