Veritas (2013) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Veritas is a board game released in 2013 that is designed by James Ernest and published by Cheapass Games. The game is set in a medieval world and falls under the Print & Play category, meaning players can print the game materials themselves. With a runtime of 60 minutes, Veritas is recommended for players aged 12 and above and can accommodate 3 to 6 players, with the best experience being for 4 to 5 players.

Game Components of Veritas

Game board representing France with various monasteries

Book tokens for each player’s version of “Truth”

Monastery tokens

Scoring chips

Fire tokens

How To Setup Veritas

To set up Veritas, start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a color and places their two starting book tokens in a single monastery. Shuffle and place the monastery tokens and fire tokens according to the game instructions. Each player should understand the initial distribution of their books and the layout of the monasteries before the game begins.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Representation: Each player is a version of “Truth” trying to be preserved by book-copying monks.

Book Placement and Copying: Players place and copy book tokens in monasteries.

Book Distribution: Players pick up stacks of books and spread them across France.

Monastery Burning: Each turn, a monastery burns down, potentially destroying books within it.

Movement: Travel becomes faster as monasteries burn down, allowing players to move through them.

Scoring: Players score points when scoring chips are drawn, with points awarded to the player whose ideology dominates a region.

Win Condition: The first player to score 100 points wins, becoming the dominant truth as the Dark Ages end.

Player Experience

In Veritas, players engage in strategic planning and tactical execution to spread their version of “Truth” across France. The game is a delicate balance of resource management, area control, and luck. Players must navigate the risks of monastery fires and the competitive environment where other versions of “Truth” are also vying for survival. This dynamic creates an engaging and challenging experience that requires players to be crafty, wise, and sometimes lucky.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers deep strategic gameplay with multiple paths to victory.

Thematic Engagement: The theme of preserving truth in the Dark Ages adds a unique and engaging layer to the game.

Variable Gameplay: Each game can play out differently due to the random burning of monasteries and the spread of books.

Cons

Luck Element: The random burning of monasteries can introduce significant luck, which may not appeal to all players.

Complexity: While it is a Eurogame, it may have a steeper learning curve due to the unique mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Veritas

Veritas is ideal for fans of Eurogames who enjoy strategic gameplay with a strong thematic element. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate area control and resource management mechanics. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer games with minimal luck or simpler rulesets. For a casual gamer looking to dive into more complex Eurogames, Veritas offers a unique and challenging experience that can be very rewarding.

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