Advantage Token in Board Games
The Advantage Token mechanic refers to a specific component in board games that grants a player a temporary benefit or privilege. Here is a brief overview of its function and utility in games.
Function
An Advantage Token typically:
- Grants benefits: This can range from extra turns, additional resources, or strategic positioning.
- Is temporary: The token usually cycles among players, preventing any one player from monopolizing the advantage.
- Promotes balance: It helps balance games by providing catch-up opportunities or mitigating the impact of poor luck.
Utility
The utility of this mechanic lies in:
- Dynamic gameplay: Introduces variability and can force players to alter strategies.
- Strategic depth: Players must decide when to use tokens for maximum effect.
- Player engagement: Keeps all players involved by offering the chance to gain or reclaim the token.
Examples
Certain games employ this mechanic under different names, like "First Player" tokens, which can be considered a variant, dictating turn order and providing an edge in actions selection.
Conclusion
Incorporating Advantage Tokens in game design can provide a myriad of strategic options, maintaining engagement and competition throughout the gameplay experience.
Strategy Game with Advantage Token
Advantage Token and Variable Player Powers games
Modern Warfare themed games with Advantage Token

Experience the dense Cold War suspense and scratch that Twilight Struggle itch in only 45 minutes.13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis is a nail-biting, theme saturated two-player strategy game about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Your fate is determined by...
13 Days - The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
$39.99

Note on 8th Printing: This version of the game will be identical to the previous printing, with any known errata corrected.On November 9th of 2009, the world marked the 20th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Cold War. That was the day that the Cold...
Twilight Struggle (Deluxe Edition, 8th Printing)
$54.95
Advantage Token and Worker Placement games
Advantage Token and Movement Points games

With the help of Venus, the goddess of love and intimacy, two partners work together at a game of Concordia while competing against one or two others teams. Mutual understanding and coordinated planning are essential to succeed as a harmonious couple...
Concordia - Venus
$79.95
$69.26

2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire ruled the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. With peace at the borders, harmony inside the provinces, uniform law, and a common currency, the economy thrived and gave rise to mighty Roman dynasties as they expanded...
Concordia (2nd Edition)
$45.00
$34.00
War Game with Advantage Token

The March of Progress is a two player strategic micro-wargame, composed of several historical scenarios. Each scenario changes the setup and tweaks the rules to give a flavor of strategy in different time periods, from the Thirty years War, through ...
March of Progress, The
$25.00

For months you've been planning and gathering forces for the largest invasion of the war. Your opponent knows that you are preparing a major strike, but do they know where? Suddenly you receive reports that as py has gained information about your operation...
Great Designers Series, The: Fog of War, The
$23.95
$14.00
Fantasy themed games with Advantage Token
Advantage Token games illustrated by Robin Olausson

Innovation (3rd Edition)
$25.00
Invent your way to an empire! Innovation is a card-driven journey through humanity's ideas and advancements from prehistory all the way to The Internet.You must strategically combine the abilities of your technologies to succeed!105 unique cards, each...
mostly positive, 70%
12 y/o +
2 to 4 players
45 minutes
Involved
Card Game
Civilization
Advantage Token
Hand Management
Layering
Melding and Splaying