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Josh Burns (166 KP) rated Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery in Tabletop Games

Jun 20, 2019

Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery

2012 | Abstract Strategy, Action, Adult, Economic, Fighting

8.8

(6 Ratings)

Tabletop Game Rating

Easy to learn but a ton of fun (1 more)

Great strategy and combat

I had my eye on this game for a while before finally pulling the trigger and ordering it a few years ago. I had little faith in a game based on a tv show, but I love gladiator games and there aren't many to choose from.
The base game is 3-4 players, there are expansions that increase that, but I'm sticking with the base game for this review. Each player controls a different House, which have their own stats, abilities, and alternate objectives, with the main objective being to reach 10 influence.
The game plays basically as follows:
Upkeep phase: collect money, try to heal wounded gladiators, and reactivate slaves that were used.
Market: A number of cards are drawn and placed face down, then one card is flipped. It could be a gladiator, a slave (can earn you money and may have abilities that are useful outside the arena) or gear for your gladiators. All players choose how many coins to bid and keep them in a closed fist until everyone is ready, then everyone reveals their bid. Whoever was highest wins. You then repeat till each card is flipped. You can also put your own cards up for auction or offer trades.
the arena: after this, 2 players chosen by another player have to either fight each other, pitting a slave or gladiator against the oppents, or forfeit at the cost of Influence. Players may place bets on who will win and if the loser will be killed, or badly injured.
The game is basically 2 games in 1: outside the arena and in it.
Outside: It is primarily about making deals, lying, setting each other up, making temporary allies and backstabbing. Literally the only rule in the actual rulebook about how to go about this is: "Don't be a dick. " It actually says that, and says they mean keep it fun, don't actually try to be a spiteful douche. There is nothing directing you when to lie or be honest, if you have to keep promises, etc.
In the arena: Combat is fun and simple. Not all fighters are equal but I have seen weak ones overcome the odds. If you're a fan of the show you will recognize many names. As a quick sidenote, an expansion can turn these fights from 1 vs 1 to 2 vs 2. I've won hard fought games, and I've lost on purpose to win a bet or fulfill a deal. Your fighter may or may not die or be injured. The player who chose the participants also decides the fate of the losing fighter (if they didn't die fighting) with a thumbs up or down. The player with the losing fighter can plead for the fighters survival or bribe, or maybe the player chosing wants the losing player to owe them a favor. There is never a clear cut choice.
In conclusion: This is a favorite of mine. It is unbelievably fun making deals (whether you keep them or not) bribing, setting players against each other etc. The combat is fun and easy to learn and the other players are typically screaming at whoever they want to win if they aren't doing well (in good fun, not actual anger). I can't think of anything to not like about it. If you like the show you'll love references such as the "Jupiter's Cock" card and seeing all the characters (slaves, gladiators, and dominas). If you don't like the show, it's still a hell of a game and you don't need to watch the show to know what's going on.

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iPeng 9 - Squeezebox Remote

Music and Utilities

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iPeng 9, the music remote for the Logitech® Squeezebox™, has been designed for the latest iOS...

Dusty (12 KP) created a post

Aug 17, 2018

These are the films that I watched between last night and early this morning. 1. Cocktail Blockers- Very funny made me laugh like mad (it's been a while) if I had to rate it it would be a 9/10. Brilliant a must watch.
2. Ready Player One- love the soundtrack to this thought between that and the storyline was well put together. It is a great Sci-fi and the graphics and special fx are worth it. My hopes this will go far. 8/10
3. Rampage- Another great film by Dwayne Johnson I liked the team man ship between Dwayne and George the Gorilla again the sfx was pretty good. And sorry yet again worth the watch. 8/10