Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game is perfect for beginners in deckbuilding games

what is the board game Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game?

In Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game , each of the two players has his own deck of cards, with which he tries to destroy the opposing bases. As the game progresses, this deck is improved by adding new cards. Accessible from 12 years old, for 2 players only, a game lasts about 30 minutes.

Published by Fantasy Flight Games, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Gameis a game by Caleb Grace, sold for €33.90 at Philibert.

What are the rules of Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game ?

Distribution and arrangement of cards

Each player receives their specific deck of ten cards, and draws five at random. Between them, we form a line of six cards, drawn from a large deck. Finally, each side has a starting base, a planet, the destruction of which is the opponent’s objective.

Goal of the game

As in all games based on the mechanics of deck building, you play all the cards in your hand on your turn, then you draw five more. When his deck is empty, he reshuffles it, with the newly acquired cards, to form a new draw pile.

All cards (unit or ship) work on the same principle: they have an effect that resolves when played, and one to three numerical values ​​among the characteristics of Attack, Resources and Strength.

Strength influences a kind of tug of war, which determines which of the two sides has control of it, and the associated advantages.

Resources allow us to buy new cards from those available in the center of the table, to complete our deck and make it better. We can obviously only buy cards from our side (or neutral, like Jabba the Hutt for example): impossible to recruit Darth Vader if you play as the Rebels.

The Attack characteristic allows either to attack the opponent’s base, and, by dint of inflicting damage on it, to destroy it, or to attack the enemy cards in the center of the table. You then gain a bonus, more or less substantial depending on the power of the target card, but above all, you prevent the opponent from acquiring it since it is discarded.

We can protect our base by playing ships, which remain in place from one turn to another, and act as a shield. In any case, when our base is destroyed, we replace it with another. They all have a special ability, and we choose one or the other depending on the situation.

At the end of his turn, we discard all the cards played, we draw new ones, then it’s up to the other. The first to destroy three enemy bases wins the game.

Why Play Deckbuilding Game Star Wars ?

“Ah, yet another two-player battle game based on deck building… I already have plenty! we might say to ourselves. And it’s true, especially since Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game takes up all the clichés of the genre, in the manner of Shards of Infinity, Hero RealmsOr Star Realmsto name just three.

But he still offers one or the other originality that distinguishes him from his peers.

The universe first. Whether you like Star Wars or not, you have to admit that it’s much more fun to play with Darth Vader or Mon Calamari cruisers than with any anonymous unit offered in other games of the genre.

But the game is not limited to fans of the work of George Lucas, since its rules make it very accessible. It’s a good gateway for anyone wanting to discover a game of deck building .

The second originality comes from the clear distinction between the two factions. We are used, in other games based on the same principle, to be able to add any card to our deck. Here, and even if there are neutral units accessible to both players, most of the cards are reserved for a specific faction.

Associated with this, the possibility, original and very pleasant, to directly destroy a card of the opposite camp, before our adversary can seize it. It can be a bit frustrating, when sometimes almost opposing cards are coming. And a little penalizing according to those previously added in its package, and their order of release. But that’s part of the draw hazard inherent in all these games.

For further

Finally, for once, we are not directly attacking the opponent and his life points, but the bases he controls, one by one, and defended by his ships. With the possibility then to choose the new base, according to the situation at this moment of the game.

Note, however, that a few rare parts can drag on a little. But it is above all due to an overly wait-and-see attitude of the two players, not aggressive enough.

Despite a basic mechanic that could not be more basic for a game of deck building, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Gameoffers some originalities that manage to distinguish it from other titles of the genre. Fans of the universe will of course be delighted, but it’s not just for them. Especially since its simple rules make it the ideal candidate to learn this type of game. And, if success is there, it’s a safe bet that extensions will add new cards, and, with them, new possibilities and more diversity in the games.

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