Variable Player Powers in Board Games
Variable Player Powers is a game mechanic where players control characters or factions with unique abilities. This adds asymmetry, encouraging diverse strategies and replayability.
Purpose
Variable Player Powers create dynamic interactions, as each player's unique abilities can significantly influence their approach to the game.
Impact on Gameplay
- Strategic Depth: Differing powers require players to develop individual strategies, tailoring their play to their character's strengths.
- Balance: Designers must ensure that powers are balanced, preventing any one player from having an overwhelming advantage.
- Replayability: With each character offering a new experience, this mechanic can greatly enhance a game's replay value.
Game Design Considerations
- Playtesting: It's essential to thoroughly test the game to balance the Variable Player Powers adequately.
- Complexity: Introducing unique powers can increase complexity, possibly making the game less accessible to new players.
- Interaction: Designers should consider how different powers interact to maintain a coherent and enjoyable gameplay experience.
Variable Player Powers games published by Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars - Destiny 2-Player Game
$9.00
Take control of your favorite Star Wars characters and decide the fate of the galaxy! Upgrade your heroes and villains with iconic blasters, lightsabers, Force powers, and more. Use premium dice and cards in a fast and furious duel to defeat your foe...
mixed, 67%
10 y/o +
2 players
30 minutes
Relaxed
Card Game
Movies / TV / Radio theme
Science Fiction
Collectible Card Game
Collectible Components
Collectible Dice Game
Dice Rolling
Fantasy themed games with Variable Player Powers
Family Game with Variable Player Powers
Variable Player Powers and Hand Management games
Variable Player Powers and Dice Rolling games
Variable Player Powers and Action Points games
Variable Player Powers and Income games
Variable Player Powers and Auction/Bidding games
Team-Based Game with Variable Player Powers
Variable Player Powers games illustrated by D. Brad Talton, Jr.
BattleCON: War of Indines (2nd Edition)
-44%
$49.95
$28.00
BattleCON: War of Indines (2nd Ed.) is a fast-paced head to head card game for 2-4 players, based loosely around the mechanics and tactics present in 2D fighting games.In BattleCON, two or four players choose characters with unique abilities and powers...
mostly positive, 76%
9 y/o +
2 players
30 minutes
Involved
Card Game
Fighting
Anime / Manga
Hand Management
Programmed Movement
Rock-Paper-Scissors
Simultaneous Action Selection
Cooperative Game with Variable Player Powers
Variable Player Powers and Area Majority / Influence games
Miniatures themed games with Variable Player Powers
Variable Player Powers games published by USAOpoly
Smash Up: Disney
$31.95
Players combine unlikely allies and fantastical foes, thanks to all-new Factions from timeless Disney films. Choose two decks, smash them together, and play on their unique abilities to battle against your opponents' teams and claim bases. Be the first...
mostly positive, 74%
14 y/o +
2 to 4 players
45 minutes
Relaxed
Family Game
Movies / TV / Radio theme
Area Majority / Influence
Hand Management
Take That
Variable Player Powers
Strategy Game with Variable Player Powers
Variable Player Powers and Programmed Movement games
Tiny Turbo Cars
-89%
$125.00
$14.00
Tiny Turbo Cars is a frantic race game for 2 to 4 players where you program the movements of your tiny toy car in advance, with a sliding puzzle acting as your remote controller.• Choose your racing car! Select 1 of 8 different racing car abilities.•...
mixed, 60%
10 y/o +
2 to 4 players
40 minutes
Relaxed
Family Game
Puzzle
Racing
Action Queue
Catch the Leader
Modular Board
Programmed Movement
Variable Player Powers and Deck, Bag, and Pool Building games
DC Comics Deckbuilding Game: Rivals - Flash vs Reverse Flash
-24%
$24.99
$18.99
The Ultimate High-Speed Battle!Recruit unique Speedsters and Rogues with the ultimate goal of defeating your iconic foe three times! • Play as The Flash or Reverse-Flash! • Each time a Character is defeated, they gain new abilities and become more difficult...
mostly positive, 79%
15 y/o +
2 players
45 minutes
Relaxed
Card Game
Superheroes
Comic Book / Strip
Deck, Bag, and Pool Building
Variable Player Powers
Variable Player Powers games published by Ninth Haven Games
Deep Shelf (Kickstarter Edition)
$129.95
Deep Shelf is a game of deep-sea exploration, engine building, and area majority scoring. Control one of four highly asymmetric factions and lead them to victory by building the most efficient resource extraction engine and researching powerful new ...
mostly positive, 72%
12 y/o +
1 to 4 players
90 minutes
Involved
Economic
Exploration
End Game Bonuses
Market
Pick-up and Deliver
Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game