Ultimate Scheme (2016) Board Game

Ultimate Scheme is a board game released in 2016, designed by Lee Moyer and Claudio Pozas. The game is known for its humor and engaging gameplay, with players taking on the roles of villains scheming to take over the world.

Game Components of Ultimate Scheme

Game Board (21″ x 21″ mounted board)

Player pieces (25 minion tokens and 25 control markers in five colors)

Resource Markers (120 wooden cubes: 40 each for finance, occult, and science resources)

Unobtanium (12 acrylic crystal resource markers)

Game Cards (136 poker-sized cards: Schemes, Action cards, Ultimate Schemes, X-Factor cards)

Ninja token

Anarchy marker

First Player token

Rulebook

Optional: Plan B expansion with additional components like Interpol Agent, Event Deck, new Schemes, Single Player Mode, and more.

How To Setup Ultimate Scheme

Setup is straightforward. Players choose a faction and place their score counter at zero. Each player starts with two minions at their faction’s HQ, draws two scheme cards and an action card, and places the specific card decks on their spots on the game board. The Anarchy marker is set to zero. For a more advanced game, an X-Factor card can be drawn, adding an additional victory requirement.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Steps in a Game Turn

Draw: Each player draws a new scheme card from one of three scheme decks (criminal, subversion, genius).

Move: Players move their minions to adjacent locations, with two moves allowed per turn.

Resource: Players collect resources from the locations where their minions are placed.

Execute: Players execute schemes if they have the required resources and a minion in the specified location.

End: Reset minions, resources, and first player token for the next turn.

Game Objective

Players aim to complete their secret Ultimate Scheme by fulfilling its requirements, which include collecting specific resources, executing certain schemes, and sometimes meeting additional conditions set by the X-Factor card. The first player to complete their Ultimate Scheme wins, with tiebreakers based on progress points if multiple players finish on the same turn.

Player Experience

**Ultimate Scheme** offers a light-hearted yet engaging experience where players must manage resources, move minions strategically, and execute schemes to progress towards their ultimate goal. The game is dynamic, with action cards adding a layer of unpredictability and strategy. Players need to balance resource collection, scheme execution, and blocking opponents to achieve victory. The game’s quirky theme and mechanisms make it an enjoyable romp for those who love strategic gameplay with a humorous twist.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: The combination of scheme cards, action cards, and resource management keeps the game exciting and unpredictable.

Strategic Depth: Despite its light-hearted nature, the game requires careful planning and resource management.

Player Interaction: The game encourages strategic placement of minions to block opponents and gain resources.

Thematic Fun: The evil genius theme is well-integrated into the mechanics, making it a fun and thematic experience.

Cons

Resource Management Complexity: Managing multiple types of resources and schemes can be overwhelming for new players.

Luck Factor: The draw of scheme cards and action cards introduces an element of luck.

Setup Time: While setup is straightforward, it may take a few minutes to organize all the components.

Personal Thoughts on Ultimate Scheme

**Ultimate Scheme** is perfect for players who enjoy resource management and worker placement games with a dash of humor and strategy. It is suitable for groups of 2-5 players and is an excellent choice for those looking for a game that balances complexity with fun. While it may not be as deep as some other strategy games, its light-hearted approach makes it accessible to a wide range of players. If you’re in the mood for a game where you can be an evil genius trying to take over the world, **Ultimate Scheme** is an excellent choice.

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