The Xuanwu Gate Incident (2016) Board Game

The Xuanwu Gate Incident is a historical event that took place in 626 AD in China during the Tang dynasty. It involved a power struggle between two factions in the imperial court, ultimately leading to the assassination of the emperor. The incident has been immortalized in history and now serves as the basis for this board game.

Game Components of The Xuanwu Gate Incident

Character Cards: 9 cards, each representing a secret identity.

Starting Player Card: 1 card to determine the starting player.

Voting Cards: 14 cards (7 Coup d’Etat and 7 Lie in Wait).

Scoring Marks: 21 marks to track points.

How To Setup The Xuanwu Gate Incident

To set up the game, each player is dealt a character card, which remains secret to other players. Two cards are placed face down in the center of the table. The starting player is determined by the Starting Player Card.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deduction Mechanics: Players examine and may swap one of the face-down cards with their own card or another player’s card.

Voting Mechanics: After all players have had a chance to examine a card, there is a voting phase to determine if the round comes to a showdown.

Game Objective: The objective is to uncover the identities and align with the winning team during the showdown.

Player Experience

The Xuanwu Gate Incident offers a dynamic and suspenseful experience, as players must strategically deduce and manipulate the identities to achieve their goals. The game is designed for 3-7 players and takes approximately 5-30 minutes to play, making it an engaging and quick social interaction.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Fast-paced and can be completed in a short time.

Social Deduction: Encourages strategic thinking and social interaction.

Historical Context: Based on a real historical event, adding an educational layer.

Simple to Learn: Easy rules make it accessible to players of all ages.

Cons

Limited Depth: The gameplay may be too simplistic for some players.

Luck Element: The voting phase introduces an element of luck that can affect outcomes.

Limited Replayability: The game may become repetitive after multiple plays.

Personal Thoughts on The Xuanwu Gate Incident

The Xuanwu Gate Incident is ideal for those who enjoy social deduction games and are interested in historical contexts. It’s a great addition to any game collection, particularly for families or casual gaming groups, as it is simple to learn and plays quickly. However, players seeking more complex strategies might find it lacking in depth. The game’s historical roots add an interesting layer, making it a unique blend of fun and education.

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