This week we are looking at a newly released card game; Tesla: Master of Lightning.
To start with Nikola Tesla is one of those interesting men of history and science. Born in 1856, Tesla,, who died in 1943, was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist, and futurist best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electrical supply system.
Tesla is often brought up in discussions around Thomas Edison, with Edison getting all the glory, although some history suggests Tesla might have been the more brilliant of the two, and certainly more eccentric. As a result Tesla still gets remembered, even appearing as a guest character on the fine Canadian television series 'Murdoch Mysteries'.
David McCord uses Tesla's life as a scientist as the theme of this game.
The backs of the cards are striking, with a picture of Tesla holding a light bulb against a black background. It looks great, but black card backs 'chip' and scratch rather easily, so you best be careful with the deck, or it will show wear pretty quickly.
There are several types of cards within the 108-card basic deck, including both positive and negative cards, appropriate to a game about a man known for his electrical discoveries. As you might expect the positive cards are good, the negative ones you hope to avoid.
Most interestingly these cards also include pictures or art drawings from Tesla's career, along with little snippets about the good or bad moments in his life. I really like this about the game. You get a bit of a history lesson on Tesla as you play.
The one thing missing is a dateline for the events. Had a 'circa' whatever year the event happened been included you would have a better feel for the ebb and flow of Tesla's career.
The deck also includes what are essentially colour-coded suits.
These are in essence the heart of the game, since it is a trick taking game.
That said it is a trick-taking game with a 'deck building' aspect.
The deck is shuffled, and each player dealt nine cards. The basic deck allows for two-to-four players. (An expansion pack is available to allow five, or six players.
From the nine cards, a player draws six, as a starting hand.
Three cards are then played from the common deck and placed face up as prize cards.
You select three cards from your hands, with each player revealing their cards simultaneously. The highest total takes the prize cards, which go into the winner's own card pile.
Then two prize cards are placed, and you play two more from your hand.
The third trick has one prize card, and you play the last cards in your hand.
As you win cards your personal deck becomes larger.
You play 'three trick rounds' until the common pile runs out.
Total the value of the cards in both of your decks including "Positive" and "Negative" cards plus any "suited cards" which may score, and the highest total wins.
The game is a nice joining of trick taking and deck building without getting overly complicated in the mating of the two.
The cards and theme are solid bonuses as well.
This is certainly a game worth a long look if you are a card player to start with.
If anyone is interested in this game, or other board games feel free to contact [email protected]
