Xcom: The Board Game is an adventure strategy game that was designed with beginners in mind. It was created to provide players of all ages and skill levels a fun, yet challenging cooperative experience as they attempt to outwit their extraterrestrial opponents.
The game combines detailed plastic miniatures with cards and other components which challenge players to work together to fight the alien threat on Earth. It also includes several unique mechanics such as “The Panic System”, where incorrect cooperations can lead to potential consequences, as well as keeping track of resources using maintenance sheets.
The goal of Xcom: The Board Game is for players to save planet Earth from a secret invasion by fighting the aliens who have arrived and working together to make strategic decisions. There are four roles that may be chosen at the start of the game; Commander, Central Officer, Squad Leader, and Chief Scientist.
Then using only 30 minutes of preparation time, players must use their allotted resources (money, time and scientists) to build up their base while countering alien attacks from above.
For those new to the genre or who don’t have much experience playing strategy games; Xcom: The Board Game is easy for beginners due to its straightforward ruleset paired with its complex but accessible gameplay mechanisms. Its ‘co-op’ nature creates a supportive environment for those learning how to play while still making sure no one player dominates every decision.
Additionally, the accompanying free app helps teach newbies how it works all while providing them with a detailed tutorial on each action available during their turn – including purchasing research or weapons upgrades or even rolling dice for combat scenarios – this encourages teamwork between players so that everyone can enjoy an immersive experience reminiscent of classic board games but with modern twists.
Setting up the Board Game
Setting up the board game isn’t as daunting a task as one might think. It requires some patience and careful attention, but with the right approach it can be completed quickly and efficiently.
Before beginning, the components of the Xcom board game must first be accounted for – there should be central and side boards, counters, Command cards, Alien Activity Cards, Operative miniatures and Deployment markers. Once unpacked, a few preliminary steps will allow players to set up their Xcom Boards relatively quickly.
Step 1: Unfold Central Board
This is a simple process which only requires the unfolding of both central boards provided in the box set. Unfolding them ensures that all diagrams displayed on the board are face-upwards so that all players can view them easily when making decisions during game-play.
Step 2: Place Command Counters
The XCom Board comes with several command counters – players must place these in turns onto the circular map on the center board’s surface This order is determined by each player’s chosen color/player identifier according to which was opened from inside the box first. The number of turns taken per person is dependent upon how many players are in that particular group session (1-4).
All command counters should be placed roughly equidistant from both other occupying points on the map’s circumference to ensure no one player enjoys any undue advantage over another.
Step 3: Place Alien Activity Counters
Alien Activity counters are viewed by every individual as they are placed onto specific circles around the play area allowing each player an idea of what is happening in their location and what possible threats are about to be encountered during gameplay – this sets forth a rudimentary strategy for each participant/group as they try to prevent alien invasion.
The instruction manual will indicate which type of Aliens should occupy which sections for optimal results; keep track accordingly by writing down or taking pictures with a smartphone.
Human Society Counters should also be placed into corresponding color boxes located around middle playing area before starting regular rounds officially begins.
Exploring the Components
Xcom The Board Game is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to get into tabletop gaming. It is easy to learn with its detailed manual including instructions on how to set up the game and comprehensive audio and video samples.
The board itself is large, with a map of Earth full of alien threats. Players choose one of four selectable commanders from the classic XCOM squad and take part in battles against an alien invasion. Each team consists of four different squads – Specialist, Sniper, Assault and Heavy – each with their own unique ability that can be used to increase future rewards during the game.
This strategic board game also features lots of detailed components like plastic miniatures representing the soldiers, ‘tactical tokens’ that allow precise control over individual units, mission cards providing opportunities for bonuses within each mission and special challenges for advancing teams throughout the game. There are also ‘Equipment Stacks’, which provide players with access to better weapons and armour as they progress through their missions.
All these components come together to create an immersive environment where players try to outwit their opponents in grounded, tactical conflicts through careful planning and resource management.
In addition, Xcom The Board Game includes detailed optional rules with added complexity for experienced gamers who enjoy longer playtime experiences as well as shorter sessions designed for novice players who just want a casual introduction to classic board games without being overwhelmed by too many rules. This makes it a great introductory board game for anyone wanting to either find out what all those generic pieces are about or hone their skills in strategic team-play simulations.
How the Game Play Works
Xcom The Board Game is a cooperative strategy game based on the computer game of the same name which puts players in charge of an elite team of soldiers responsible for fighting hostile alien forces. Each player takes on a role such as the commander, head scientist, defensive specialist and central officer, to represent different aspects of the organization’s strategy. Players must then collaborate together to save Earth from this interstellar threat.
The objective of the game is for each player to contribute their resources and abilities towards advancing Xcom’s interests while trying to gain victory points through completing missions and objectives set by the commander. Discerning which areas require immediate attention is key throughout the mission; as no two missions are ever alike.
Each turn begins with a briefing phase where the players learn about any new objectives or conditions coming into effect during this shift. This can involve equipping your team with certain weapons or technologies that will increase their chances of completing an upcoming mission.
After that they go into the management phase; where players take turns performing global actions such as investigating new contacts, researching technology and doing some research in order to fulfill objectives set by the commander. This phase ends with an action round where players make tactical decisions directly related to current battles or situations already established on board.
After these phases have been completed players move on to an end-of-turn process which includes things such as field reports from recent missions, evaluating researched advances and more, all with the goal of helping Xcom achieve its ultimate victory condition before time runs out – spending fewer resources than enemies are capable of creating or capturing resources/locations across multiple continents around Earth.
Finally, there is a victory assessment completed; where accumulated numbers will give them an indication if they have ultimately won against invading forces – rewarding them well deserved bragging rights after hours spent playing.
Strategies for Winning the Game
Determine the Objective
XCOM: The Board Game is a tense and challenging struggle for survival. It is important to decide on the group’s main objective as early as possible, and to then focus on achieving it.
For example, in some games, the main aim may be to shoot down all of the alien craft, while in others, everyone might be working together to find and deactivate all of the “alien pods”. Deciding upon an objective makes winning much easier and maximizes each turn so that successes are achieved with fewer mistakes or wasted actions.
Know Your Teammates
X-COM players take on different roles within a chosen team. Each individual’s strengths should be used in order to maximize success during game play.
For example, a “Sniper” player may be best suited for long-range combat while someone with scientific knowledge may operate well as an “Assault Trooper” for healing duties between XCOM assaults on alien forces. It’s important to review each member’s abilities and come up with ways to utilize them best suited for each mission.
Expect Betrayal
One thing XCOM players must keep in mind is that there can be unexpected betrayals among players within a team. This could lead to conflict and critical mission failures if one team member turns against another during gameplay.
As such, it’s important never to assume complete trust in any team members (in-game or real life) and always plan accordingly with multiple backup plans just in case betrayal occurs – separating money earned equally amongst group members at the start of each mission is highly recommended for smoother team play.
Additionally, it’s important not have too many weapons or resources stockpiled by any one person from game funds as this can create even more mistrust and suspicion between teammates which could ultimately cause serious issues if left unchecked before missions begin.
Adjusting the Difficulty Level
Xcom The Board Game Easy is ideal for those new to the board game hobby. It has relatively simple rules that make it easy to learn how to play and can be finished in two hours or less.
For players looking for a more advanced challenge, you may adjust certain game components and rules to increase the difficulty. Here are some tips on how to do so:
- Increase the number of invaders that spawn each turn by adding additional cards from other sets.
- Make use of timed turns – set a timer and give each player 10 – 15 minutes per turn.
- Add bonus objectives or missions. For example, if your team manages to complete 3 bonus objectives during a mission, they receive a bonus point.
- Remove powers from the Avatar units – this would makes unit management more difficult and restricts their flexibility.
Pavlovian Difficulty System (PDS) is an optional rule that can also be used to raise the level of challenge. PDS allows all players have access to powerful abilities but with a psychological twist; as one develops their powers through successful completion of challenging achieve certain goals, they take on greater risks due to increased chances of failure. PDS helps ensure the campaign remains fair and balanced by enabling players whose avatars grow in power at differing rates.
Another way for experienced gamers would be to expand actions available each turn. Low-point action cards become available which allow extra reactions during enemy turns, giving an additional layer of strategy which increases complexity over traditional play.
Furthermore, Mission Cards provide modules/modules for either non-hardened or hardened aliens, further growing the difficulty level provided by varying numbers of different enemy types encountered during different missions along with predefined expansions requiring analysis from all players present in order to identify best strategies.
Advanced Game Play Options
X-Com board game has been one of the most enjoyable and perennial board games for a long time. One of the main reasons for its appeal is that it is easy to learn even for beginners and offers options for expansion as players become more knowledgeable.
The basic rule set includes character-specific roles, control options, base building, resource management, tactics, and much more. All of this allows newcomers to learn the game quickly while keeping the core gameplay simple but interesting.
The advanced gameplay options of X-Com provide numerous ways to build upon the original ruleset. Character-specific rules allow players to tailor their strategies according to how they want their team aligned. These alternate strategies range from fast pressuring tactics with aggressive heroes to long-term defense strategy that rely on exceptionally durable characters. This feature drastically expands on how different teams are played across multiple gaming sessions, thus providing immense replayability value over time.
Another unique component that adds variety to X-Com board game is the ability to modify dice rolls through defensive units or special items such as medical kits or propellants providing players with a mean of defense against enemy attacks without them having to retreat too early in the mission as well as increase their team’s accuracy when needed during critical scenarios.
It should go without saying this can be further enhanced by an experienced player when compared to a novice just getting into the game as they have mastered some of these modificationtactics allowing then access abilities other players may not have access at first.
Overall these modifications add far greater interest and deeper strategic play than a straightforward approach could offer in terms of beginner games even though veterans may find them trivial after a certain point in their playing career.
Tips for Playing Xcom
Xcom: The Board Game is an exciting strategy game that can be played solo or with a group. This sci-fi adventure puts you in the role of unique “fugitive” characters attempting to prevent an alien invasion from taking over the world. The challenge for beginners is deciding how best to achieve this goal, so here are some helpful tips for playing Xcom successfully as a beginner.
First, it’s important to plan out your strategy before each game. What objectives do you want to accomplish and how will you achieve them? Make sure your team decides what their primary goals are as well as any sub-goals.
Strategize together during your turns on how you will achieve these goals most quickly and effectively. Pay attention to resources such as funds, tech levels, and available personnel to determine where the weaknesses are and how best they can be addressed while maintaining full control of the situation.
To increase your chances of success even further, make sure to properly interpret enemy behavior. Instead of simply assuming a move or response from them, try to think outside the box and anticipate their plans beyond what would seem obvious at first glance.
Utilize all manner of strategies against them – both offensive tactics such as airstrikes and more defensive measures like setting up ambushes or planning special operations missions behind enemy lines – in order to stay one step ahead of the aliens and keep them off balance at all times.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to adapt in a pinch if circumstances arise which require it; sometimes the original plan doesn’t pan out due to factors outside of your control so it’s beneficial to incorporate unexpected elements into the overall strategy quickly without losing sight of the end goal.
Adjustments may need to be made on an individual basis depending on available resources and existing threats; this constant tactical reassessment is essential for succeeding in Xcom: The Board Game – especially when playing as a beginner.
I love playing all kinds of games – from classics like Monopoly to modern favourites like Ticket to Ride.
I created this blog as a way to share my love of board games with others, and provide information on the latest releases and news in the industry.
