What is Variable Phase Order?
Variable Phase Order is a game mechanic where the sequence of actions or phases within a turn can vary from one round to another. This mechanic introduces an additional strategic layer to games, as players must anticipate and adapt to the changing order of operations.
How Does It Work?
In games employing this mechanic, players often have a way to influence or decide the order of phases for a round. This could be through a bidding system, selection of roles or special cards, or another method that varies between games. The chosen order can significantly impact gameplay and players' strategies.
Examples in Board Games
- Puerto Rico: Players select roles which determine the actions available to all players for that round, altering the phase order.
- Race for the Galaxy: Gamers select which phase will take place by choosing a card, keeping their choice secret until all have chosen.
- Twilight Imperium: The order of phases is influenced by strategy cards that players pick each round.
Strategy Implications
Variable Phase Order requires players to think ahead and consider not just what they want to accomplish, but when best to do so. Flexibility and adaptability become crucial, as the optimal strategy changes from round to round based on the phase order.
Conclusion
The Variable Phase Order mechanic adds complexity and depth to board games, offering a dynamic experience that challenges static strategies and requires players to be both proactive and reactive in their planning.
Miniatures themed games with Variable Phase Order
Variable Phase Order and Follow games
Strategy Game with Variable Phase Order
Fantasy themed games with Variable Phase Order
Farming themed games with Variable Phase Order
Variable Phase Order games illustrated by Brett Carville
Vindication
-27%
$199.95
$145.00
Seek vindication after a life of greed and treachery in this highly strategic, fantasy-based tabletop board game for 2-5 players. Manage your personal attributes wisely and call on your conviction as you leverage your influence to gain companions, control...
mostly positive, 77%
14 y/o +
2 to 5 players
45 minutes
Involved
Exploration
Fantasy
Area Majority / Influence
Dice Rolling
End Game Bonuses
Hexagon Grid
Variable Phase Order and Area Majority / Influence games
This great Expansion set increases the strategical depth of the basic game by allowing players to visit the imperial court. Note: This is not a complete game and requires the base game to play.
Shogun - Tenno's Court Expansion
$20.00
Sovereign of Discord Expansion provides a prequel to the events depicted in the base game, covering the years 1961-1963. The expansion allows players to see how the war escalated from an insurgency between ARVN and Viet Cong, assisted by the US and North...
Fire in the Lake: Sovereign of Discord Expansion
$51.00
$38.99
Science Fiction themed games with Variable Phase Order
Eminent Domain: Exotica adds a lot more to the game.9 new starting scenario cards - these cards were first introduced in the Escalation expansion and allow players to start the game with asynchronous decks 31 new technology cards - technology cards ...
Eminent Domain Deck - Building Game: Exotica Expansion
$50.00
$45.00
You thought it was going to be just another day at work in the toy factory, but no: The corporate executives learned about the Kanban methodology at a seminar. Convinced of its efficiency, they have reworked the entire production floor to take advantage...
Bot Factory
$63.99
$35.00
Variable Phase Order games designed by Sydney Engelstein
Variable Phase Order and Dice Rolling games
Variable Phase Order games illustrated by Blaise Sewell
Wolves
-11%
$44.95
$39.95
Can you work together to survive?Wolves is a semi-cooperative game about ensuring your community survives through winter. You'll gather as many resources as you can, but in then end, you'll have to rely on your fellow players for help. If you all make...
mixed, 68%
15 y/o +
3 to 6 players
45 minutes
Relaxed
Semi-Cooperative Game
Economic
Environmental
Hand Management
Negotiation
Push Your Luck
Variable Phase Order
Variable Phase Order games published by Lavka Games
Variable Phase Order games published by Final Frontier Games
Coloma is the town where an unexpected event happened that shaped history of the Western Frontier. In the Winter of 1848 a man building a sawmill on the South Fork of the American River spotted some bright nuggets in the tailrace waters below. Sure ...
Coloma
$264.17
Coloma is the town where an unexpected event happened that shaped history of the Western Frontier.In the winter of 1848 a man building a sawmill on the South Fork of the American River spotted some bright nuggets in the tailrace waters below. Sure enough...
Coloma (Deluxe Kickstarter Edition)
$179.95
$140.00
Variable Phase Order games illustrated by Isabel Fernández Sánchez
1714 - The Case of the Catalans
$40.00
1714: The Case of the Catalans is a strategy and negotiation board game set in the War of the Spanish Succession at the beginning of the 18th Century. The players represent the powers of the Grand Alliance constituted in 1701 to prevent the dynastic...
mixed, 62%
12 y/o +
2 to 5 players
120 minutes
Involved
War Game
Age of Reason
Age of Kings
Negotiation
Hexagon Grid
Open Drafting
Variable Phase Order
