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Tricks and the Phantom (2017) Board Game

ByMichail

Tricks and the Phantom is a card game designed by Takashi Saito and published by Oink Games in in 2017. It falls under the categories of bluffing, deduction, and card games, making it a strategic and engaging game for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Tricks and the Phantom

  • Cards:** A deck of cards, each with a color (suit) and some with special effects.
  • Player Boards:** Each player receives a player board.
  • Tokens:** Color tokens corresponding to the card colors and additional tokens for scoring and gameplay.
  • Magnifying Glass Tokens:** Used for guessing the culprit.

    How To Setup Tricks and the Phantom

    Setup is straightforward. Each player receives a player board, a set of tokens, and two or three cards, depending on the number of players. For a two-player game, each player gets four cards. For a three-player game, one card is flipped face-up in the middle, and each player discards one card face-down into the middle. The remaining cards are set aside.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Bluffing:** Players use cards to bluff and mislead other players about the highest card (the culprit).
  • Deduction:** Players must deduce who has the highest card based on the cards played and tokens used.
  • Special Effects:** Some cards have special effects, such as the Phantom, which can confuse other players.
  • Objective:** The goal is to correctly guess who has the highest card (the culprit) or to play the highest card to earn points. The game ends when a player reaches 10 points.

    Player Experience

    In Tricks and the Phantom, players take on the roles of police investigators trying to solve a mystery while avoiding the misdirection of the Phantom. The game is a battle of wits, requiring players to read each other’s psychology and make strategic guesses. Each round involves placing cards face-down and guessing who has the highest card, with the Phantom adding an element of unpredictability.

    Pros

  • Quick Playtime:** Games are short, lasting around 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Simple to Learn:** The rules are easy to understand, making it accessible for new players.
  • Strategic Depth:** Despite its simplicity, the game requires strategic thinking and bluffing.
  • Fun and Interactive:** The game encourages social interaction and bluffing, making it entertaining.

    Cons

  • Luck Element:** There is a degree of luck involved in the cards drawn.
  • Limited Replayability:** The game’s small card set might limit replayability for some players.
  • Confusion with the Phantom:** The Phantom card can sometimes make the game more confusing than fun.

    Personal Thoughts on Tricks and the Phantom

    Tricks and the Phantom is perfect for those who enjoy quick, strategic games with a social element. It’s an excellent choice for families or casual game nights, as it’s easy to learn and play but still offers enough depth to keep players engaged. However, it might not be the best fit for those seeking complex, long-term strategy games or those who prefer games with minimal luck involved.

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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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