Fantasy Flight Games’ recent Star Wars: Unlimited release helps newcomers get their bearings and makes a fun Geek Pick of the Week.
As the Holiday season approaches, we’re bringing back our Geek Pick of the Week. Each week leading up to Christmas, we’ll be highlighting a cool product we’ve found that we feel would be the perfect gift for geeks of all kinds. Use these to help fill in your own wish list or find the perfect gift for the nerds in your life. Click HERE to read more about previous Picks of the Week!
We’re a couple years, and several expansions, into Star Wars: Unlimited taking fans and players by storm. As a long time fan of both Star Wars and trading card and collectible card games, I can honestly say it’s been a while since I’ve seen so many people enamored with a new Star Wars game like this. It doesn’t hurt that a steady stream of expansion packs have not only improved the gameplay, but given fans/collectors a whole bunch of exciting cards to track down.
I love it. I’ve been hooked almost since it was first announced. The last couple of expansions (Legends of the Force and Secrets of Power) have been bleeding my bank accounts. My love of card games is already well known, so this should come as no surprise, but Unlimited is a really solid game that everyone can enjoy.
That said, I understand how it can feel daunting to get into a game like this (card games can already feel intimidating to learn) with so many expansions already out. As such, I was thrilled when they released this “Intro Battle: Hoth” playset just the other month. The premise is simple and straightforward: take a pared down version of the card game, give it a board game aesthetic, and even more simplified, step-by-step instructions.
The whole idea being to make it as easy as possible for people to learn the basics of playing the game. Several card games have done something similar over the years, and I absolutely love it. Hell, I got the Pokemon version of the concept to help teach my youngest (eight years old now) how to play that game and it was incredibly fun.
Intro Battle: Hoth is a very similar concept. You get two entirely pre-built decks, some damage tokens, reference cards, a rulebook, and the all important game board. For me, the game board is what makes this set work. It tells players specifically how to lay out their cards (and includes helpful reminders on the board). This ensures everyone is on the same page and getting the same information, while also helping to establish some basic habits you can carry on into future games.
The cards work the same as they do in the regular game, but they are tailored especially for this experience. The goal being to showcase play styles and strategies while you’re playing so you can get a feel for how you might want to play later on. The rules themselves are the same, but presented in a more simplified and straightforward way (again, more like a board game) without making you feel stupid either.
It’s a very self-contained experience overall, meant to be enjoyable on its own (and in a shorter timeframe). More importantly, it takes out pretty much all the frustration that can come from getting into any kind of card/tabletop game. It won’t make you an expert by any means, but will give you the confidence to dive deeper into the game with others; exploring the new play options the various expansions give as well.
I had a blast playing around with it. I love card games, but the truth is, all the rules start to blend together and I sometimes struggle to play them as much as I’d like. Even with Unlimited, I haven’t been able to get out and throw down like I want to, despite the insane number of cards I have. With this Intro Battle: Hoth set, however, I can enjoy it with the rest of the house and keep my playing instincts sharp.
Best of all, this set comes in at only $20. That’s a STEAL for the amount of cards you getting on top of everything else. That’s about as entry level as you can get in any card game, plus you get some unique cards you can only get in this set (something for collectors to keep in mind as well).
Between the ease of use, the accessibility it presents, and ridiculously good price point, this would make for a solid gift to give out this year. If you already love playing it, get it for a friend or family member who’s wary of card games so they can learn and you’ll have new people to enjoy the game with!
Star Wars: Unlimited – Intro Battle: Hoth is available right now both online and wherever card games are sold!
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