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Valley of the Kings (2014) Board Game

ByMichail

Valley of the Kings is a deck-building card game that was released in 2014 by Alderac Entertainment Group. Designed by Tom Cleaver, the game is set in ancient Egypt and revolves around players collecting sets of cards representing different artifacts and treasures.

Game Components of Valley of the Kings

  • Tomb cards** and reference cards for each player
  • Starter Cards: Shabtis, Urns, Boxes of Food, and Offering Tables
  • Level II and III cards** forming the Stock
  • Boneyard** (communal discard pile)
  • Pyramid** setup cards
  • Artifact Cards: jewelry, chambers, weapons, tomb art, and other treasures
  • Pharaoh Cards** (optional): provide asymmetric starting powers
  • Randomizer Cards**, **Card Dividers**, and **Tarot-sized sleeves** (in the Premium Edition).

    How To Setup Valley of the Kings

    To set up the game, each player receives a Tomb card and a reference card. Players start with ten Starter Cards (four Shabtis, three Urns, two Boxes of Food, and one Offering Table), which they shuffle to form their Draw Deck. Each player draws the top five cards to form their Hand. The Level II and III cards are shuffled and stacked to form the Stock, with the Level II cards on top. The Pyramid is set up by drawing six cards from the Stock, arranged in three levels. The Boneyard is initiated with the top card from the Stock. The starting player is determined by who last visited a museum.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Play Cards: Use cards to buy from the Pyramid, execute card actions, or entomb cards for scoring.
  • Discard: Discard played and leftover cards to the personal discard pile.
  • Draw: Draw five new cards from the Draw Deck or shuffle the discard pile if necessary.
  • Game Objective: Collect the most valuable artifacts in your tomb by entombing cards. Scoring includes points for unique cards, sets of cards (squaring the number of unique cards in each set), and starter cards.

    Player Experience

    In **Valley of the Kings**, players take on the role of Egyptian nobles preparing for their death and burial. The game is known for its tactical decision-making, where each turn requires careful planning on whether to use cards for their effects, purchase new cards, or entomb them for scoring. The crumbling pyramid mechanic adds a dynamic element, as cards become available based on the previous player’s actions. The game is praised for its balance between strategy and simplicity, making it accessible yet engaging.

    Pros

  • Fast and Easy to Learn: Quick setup and gameplay.
  • Tactical Decision-Making: Requires strategic thinking each turn.
  • Built-in Trashing Mechanism: Allows for deck thinning from the start.
  • High Replayability: Variability in card draws and combinations.
  • Affordable: Compared to other deck-building games, it’s relatively inexpensive.

    Cons

  • Scoring Complexity: Players need to understand the scoring system clearly to avoid mistakes.
  • Luck Element: Card availability can be influenced by luck.
  • Limited Deep Strategy: Not as deep as some other deck-building games like Dominion.

    Personal Thoughts on Valley of the Kings

    **Valley of the Kings** is ideal for fans of deck-building games who are looking for a game that balances strategy with accessibility. It’s a great choice for those new to the genre or seeking a quicker, more casual experience. The game’s theme and mechanics make it a memorable and engaging play, especially for those interested in ancient Egyptian culture. It’s highly competitive at two players but still enjoyable with three or four players in a more casual setting.

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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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