I used to hate deck builders. A buddy changed my mind last week.

Three years ago I tried Dominion at a game cafe in Portland. Hated it. Felt like I was just shuffling cards and hoping for good draws. Last week my friend forced me to play Clank! at his place. The board gives you a reason to build your deck. You're actually moving a piece and making choices based on where you go. That physical goal made the whole deck building thing click for me. Now I'm looking at the rules for a few other deck builders with a board attached. Has anyone else had a specific game change their mind on a whole mechanic?

2 comments

2 Comments

simonreed18d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, are we really calling deck building a "mechanic" like it's some life-changing revelation? It's just a way to organize your cards in a game.

angela_wilson7818d ago

Has anyone tried a deck builder where you're actually competing against time itself? I played Star Realms once and it felt like solitaire with someone else watching. But then I tried The Quest for El Dorado and the race aspect changed everything. You're building your deck to move faster, not just to have a better engine. It turns the mechanic into a literal footrace which is way more engaging. The pressure of watching someone zoom past you on the track makes each card choice feel urgent. That physical goal on the board made me realize deck building needs a reason to exist beyond just sorting cards.

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