Vindication

2018

Embark on a strategic quest in Vindication, a fantasy-based tabletop game. Master heroic attributes, defeat monsters, and regain honor in this unique adventure with high replayability.

150
minutes

2 - 5
player(s)

14+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Vindication is an engaging and immersive board game that thrusts you into a fantastical world of exploration, strategy, and personal redemption. Set in an enchanting, uncharted island, this game is an enthralling journey where players are disgraced individuals seeking to vindicate their honor.

The game’s theme is deeply rooted in character development and moral transformation, which sets it apart from your typical conquest or strategy board game. Players begin as wretched individuals, but through a series of strategic moves and choices, they can transform into reputable heroes, hence the title, ‘Vindication’.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Vindication is a euro-style board game with a unique theme and deep strategy. Each player uses their character’s attributes – strength, knowledge, inspiration, and more – to gain victory points and vindicate themselves. Here, we will list and describe every component included in the game:

1. Game Board: The game board is a hexagonal map of the island where the game is set. The board is used to track player movement, the location of various sites, and other game elements. The game board is essential to gameplay as it determines where players can move, where they can gain resources, and where they can have encounters.

2. Player Mats: Each player receives a player mat. This mat represents a player’s character and tracks the character’s attributes, such as strength, knowledge, inspiration, etc. The player mat is crucial as it helps players manage their resources and plan their strategy.

3. Dice: Dice are used in Vindication to determine the outcomes of various actions, like combat or encounters. The dice add an element of chance to the game, making it unpredictable and exciting.

4. Character Cards: Character cards provide unique abilities to the players. Each card has a unique character with a specific power that can be used during the game. These cards add variety and replayability to the game, allowing players to try different strategies in each game.

5. Companion Cards: Companion cards represent allies that players can recruit during the game. These cards provide additional abilities and options to the players, making the game more complex and strategic.

6. Monster Cards: Monster cards represent the enemies that players will face during the game. Defeating a monster provides rewards to the players, but can also be risky. The monster cards add an element of risk and reward to the game.

7. Tokens: Tokens are used to represent various resources in the game, such as strength, knowledge, inspiration, etc. Players gain, use, and exchange these tokens throughout the game. The tokens are a key part of the game’s economy and resource management mechanics.

8. Scoring Track: The scoring track is used to keep track of each player’s victory points. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game is the winner. The scoring track is essential to determining the winner of the game.

9. Rulebook: The rulebook contains all the rules of the game. It explains how to set up the game, how to play, and how to win. The rulebook is a crucial component, especially for new players.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Vindication is an epic adventure board game where players seek to vindicate their once shameful existence. Here is a step by step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player chooses a character to play as. They receive a player board, and a matching colored cube to represent their character on the main board. Each player also receives a player reference card to help them throughout the game.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the main game board in the center of the table where all players can reach it. Each player places their colored cube on the island region of the game board, where the game starts. The remaining colored cubes are placed in a common pool near the game board.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player receives a set of initial resources. These include five power cubes, one conviction token, and one companion card. The power cubes and conviction token are placed on the player’s board in the designated spots. The companion card is kept face down until the player chooses to reveal it.

Step 4: Random Elements

Shuffle the journey cards and place them face down on the corresponding space on the game board. These cards add a random element to the game and can alter the course of the game when drawn. Players also shuffle the secret quest cards and draw one each. These quests give players additional objectives to complete during the game for extra points.

Step 5: Preparing the Game Decks

There are various game decks in Vindication. Shuffle the Proficiency, Trait and Monster decks separately and place them on their corresponding spaces on the game board. Deal two proficiency cards to each player. These cards give players special abilities they can use during the game.

Step 6: Setting Up the Scoring Track

Each player places one of their cubes on the zero space of the scoring track. This track is used to keep score throughout the game. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Once all these steps are complete, you are ready to start playing Vindication!

Game flow Round and round we go

Vindication is a strategic, fantasy-themed board game where players aim to vindicate their character’s previous disgrace and earn the most honor points. The game is divided into turns and each turn consists of three phases: Activate, Visit, and Discard to Refresh. Players perform different actions in each stage.

1. Activate:

This phase involves activating companions or relics. Players can activate a companion or a relic by moving influence cubes from their influence pool to the companion or relic’s card. This activation allows the player to use the abilities of the companion or relic.
Players can also regain influence cubes from the board and place them back into their influence pool, freeing up these cubes for use later.

2. Visit:

During the Visit phase, players can move their hero to a location and perform the corresponding action. The available locations include the Monuments, which allow players to gain new attributes, the Dungeon, where players can fight monsters for rewards, and the Shrine, where players can convert attributes into points.
Other locations also include the Command Post, where players can recruit new companions, and the Library, where players can acquire powerful relics.

3. Discard to Refresh:

In this phase, players can discard unwanted cards to draw new ones. This allows players to refresh their hand and prepare for the next turn. Players can also choose to keep their cards if they believe they will be useful in the future.

The game continues in this manner until one of the end game conditions is met, such as a player earning a certain amount of honor points, or all the monsters in the dungeon being defeated. At this point, the player with the most honor points is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

The game Vindication is a strategic board game that allows players to take a series of actions during their turn. Each player’s turn consists of three phases: the Start of Turn Phase, Action Phase, and End of Turn Phase.

Start of Turn Phase

During the Start of Turn Phase, players can perform the following actions:

Activate a companion: Players can use character abilities by activating a companion card.
Control regions: If a player’s influence is present in a region, they can control it by placing one of their control markers on it.

Action Phase

In the Action Phase, players can choose to perform one primary action and any number of free actions:

Primary Actions: These are the main actions players can take, which include move, rest, or visit a location. Players can only conduct one primary action per turn.
Free Actions: These include actions such as activate a companion, augment, or convert influence. Players can perform as many free actions as they wish during their turn.

End of Turn Phase

During the End of Turn Phase, players complete the following steps:

Refresh companions: All companions that were activated during the turn are refreshed.
Draw new companions: If a player has less than their maximum number of companions, they can draw new ones.
Pass the turn: The player ends their turn and passes play to the next player in clockwise order.

The strategic choices in Vindication greatly affect gameplay. For instance, activating a companion can grant a player advantages such as additional movement or influence, while controlling regions can provide resources or victory points. Furthermore, the choice of primary and free actions can greatly impact a player’s strategy. For example, visiting a location can allow a player to gain new companions or relics, while resting can help a player regain their strength. Therefore, players need to carefully consider their actions to maximize their chances of winning.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Vindication is a strategic board game that ends when one of the three end-game triggers is activated. These triggers are:

Relic activation: If a player activates a relic, this will trigger the end of the game.
Monster defeat: The game will also end if all monsters on the board are defeated.
Tile depletion: The game ends when all the tiles on the board have been explored.

Once any of these triggers have been activated, all players continue to play until everyone has had an equal number of turns. This means that if the end-game trigger was activated by the first player, all other players get to take one final turn before the game concludes.

At the end of the game, players will have to undertake final scoring. This involves tallying up the scores from the following areas:

Victory Points: Count the number of victory points each player has accumulated on the Victory Point track.
Scoring Attributes: Convert any remaining attributes (Strength, Knowledge, Inspiration, Vision, Courage) into victory points at a rate of 2:1. This means that two attributes are equivalent to one victory point.
Companion Cards: Add any victory points from Companion cards. These are indicated on the individual cards themselves.
Monster Trophies: Add victory points from Monster trophies. Each trophy is usually worth a variable amount of points, which is displayed on the trophy.
Relic Cards: Include any victory points from activated Relic cards.

The player with the highest total number of victory points at the end of final scoring is declared the winner of the game. In the case of a tie, the player with the most remaining attributes wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most companions wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Vindication is a strategic board game where players earn points by vindicating their character, combating enemies, controlling regions, and accomplishing achievements. The scoring system is as follows:

1. Vindication Points:

When a player becomes vindicated, they receive 25 honor points immediately.
Each time a player vindicates another companion, they gain 4 honor points.

2. Combat Points:

Defeating monsters in combat earns players honor points equal to the monster’s strength.
At the end of the game, if a player has the ‘Scourge Slayer’ laurel (awarded to the player who defeated the most powerful monster), they receive an additional 20 honor points.

3. Region Control Points:

Controlling regions by having the most influence cubes in them at the end of the game awards players 2 honor points per region.

4. Achievement Points:

Each secret quest card completed earns a player 5 honor points.
Each open quest card completed earns a player 3 honor points.
Each trait card a player possesses at the end of the game awards them 1 honor point.

At the end of the game, the player with the most honor points is the winner. In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaking rules apply:

The player with the most controlled regions wins.
If still tied, the player with the most relics wins.
If still tied, the player with the most companions wins.
If still tied, the player with the most influence remaining wins.
If a tie persists, the tied players share the victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Vindication is a strategic board game that requires careful planning and strategy. There are a few special rules and exceptions that players should be aware of:

Companion Abilities: Some companions have unique abilities. These abilities can only be used when the companion is active. If a companion is exhausted or defeated, the player cannot use their ability.

Use of companion abilities does not require to exhaust the companion unless explicitly mentioned.

If a companion’s ability allows you to control more than one region, you must still adhere to the standard rule of only one control marker per region.

Secret Quests: Each player has a secret quest that they can complete for bonus points at the end of the game. These quests are kept secret until the end of the game. However, if a player chooses to reveal their secret quest and completes it, they will receive double points.

Revealing a secret quest is optional and it’s a risk-reward decision.

If a player reveals their quest but does not complete it, they do not receive any points for it.

End Game Trigger: The game ends when a player achieves vindication, and all players have had an equal number of turns. In case of a tie, the player with the most honor points wins.

If multiple players achieve vindication on the same turn, the player with the most honor points is the winner.

In case of a tie in honor points too, the player with the most controlled regions wins.

Profession Cards: Profession cards provide unique abilities and advantages to the players. However, there are restrictions.

A player can have only one profession card at a time.

If a player wants to change professions, they must first discard their current profession card.

Monster Battles: When a player encounters a monster, they must fight it. If a player cannot or chooses not to fight, they must retreat and end their journey.

Monsters must be defeated in one turn. If a player fails to defeat a monster, it regains full health.

If a player retreats from a monster, they cannot interact with that region for the rest of their turn.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Vindication is a strategic board game that requires careful planning and effective resource management skills. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your game, here are some tips, strategies, and common mistakes to avoid.

Advanced strategies:

Effective use of companions: Companions can provide powerful ongoing effects. Choose your companions wisely and utilize their abilities to gain an edge over your opponents.
Optimal resource management: Always make sure to balance your resources, both in terms of influence and potential. Overutilization or underutilization of either can lead to a disadvantage.
Region control: Controlling areas on the board can provide additional resources and points. Be aggressive in expanding your control and defending your territories.

Beginner tips:

Understanding the rules: Take time to thoroughly read and understand the game rules. This will help you make more informed decisions during the game.
Focus on gaining potential: Beginners should focus on gaining potential early in the game. This will provide more options later on.
Keep an eye on your opponents: Pay attention to what your opponents are doing. This can help you anticipate their moves and plan your strategy accordingly.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Ignoring companions: Many beginners ignore the power of companions. Remember, companions can provide substantial advantages if used correctly.
Spreading too thin: Attempting to control too many areas at once can spread your resources too thin. Instead, focus on controlling a few strategic areas.
Underestimating the power of influence: Influence can turn the tide of the game. Do not underestimate its value and strive to gain more whenever possible.

Ways to optimize gameplay:

Plan your moves: Planning your moves ahead of time can help you make more efficient use of your turns.
Adapt to the game: Be ready to adapt your strategy based on the state of the game. Flexibility can often be the key to victory.
Use your resources wisely: Always make sure you’re getting the most out of your resources. Don’t waste potential or influence on unnecessary actions.