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Vaults (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Vaults is a card game that was released in 2015 and designed by Marko Cagalj, Tina Grgurevic, Biljana Matijevic, and Domagoj Rapcak. The game is published by an unknown publisher and falls under the category of card games. The game features mechanics such as action points, hand management, and open drafting, making it a strategic and engaging game for 2-4 players.

Game Components of Vault Wars

  • Vault cards: Representing the storage vaults of fallen heroes.
  • Item cards: Including valuable items, junk, gems, weapons, and artifacts.
  • Contracted Hero cards: Each player has heroes seeking specific items.
  • Gold coins: Used for bidding and paying storage fees.
  • Loan Shark card: Allows players to borrow money but at a cost in victory points.
  • Worker expansion** (optional): Adds additional mechanics and complexity.

    How To Setup Vault Wars

    To set up the game, each player starts by receiving 20 gold coins and two Contracted Hero cards. The Vault cards are shuffled and dealt to each player based on the number of players. The Item cards are shuffled and placed face down in a central stack. The Loan Shark card is placed near the Item deck. Players then choose a Vault card from their hand and place it face down in front of them to begin the auction phase.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Auction Phase: Players take turns as the Auction Master, bidding on Vaults. The Auction Master draws Item cards based on the Vault card and reveals some of these items. Players bid on the Vault, with the highest bidder winning the auction.
  • Item Management: Players can equip items for abilities, sell items for gold, or save them for victory points.
  • Storage Fees: Players must pay one gold per item not equipped at the end of each round or discard items.
  • Victory Points: Earned through collecting gems, equipping artifacts, and fulfilling hero contracts.
  • Objective: The player with the most victory points after all auctions wins.

    Player Experience

    In **Vault Wars**, players engage in a cut-throat bidding war, trying to outmaneuver each other to acquire valuable items. The game is full of surprises, with unknown contents in each Vault and the risk of bidding on junk. Players must balance their gold reserves, manage their items carefully, and make strategic decisions about when to bid high and when to hold back.

    Pros

  • Engaging Auction Mechanics: Keeps players actively engaged in bidding wars.
  • Strategic Depth: Managing items, gold, and hero contracts adds complexity.
  • Uncertainty: Unknown Vault contents keep the game exciting and unpredictable.
  • Replayability: Different Vault and Item card combinations ensure varied gameplay.

    Cons

  • Complex Setup: Several phases and card types can make the initial setup confusing.
  • Financial Management: Keeping track of gold and storage fees can be tedious.
  • Luck Factor: Drawing junk items or failing to get desired items can be frustrating.

    Personal Thoughts on Vault Wars

    **Vault Wars** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic bidding games and are comfortable with a mix of luck and strategic planning. It is suited for groups of 3 to 5 players and is recommended for those aged 13 and above. The game requires a good balance of risk-taking and resource management, making it appealing to fans of competitive and dynamic gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer straightforward rules or dislike the unpredictability of auction-based games.

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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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