Mechs vs. Minions
{{Short description|2016 board game}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox game
| title = Mechs vs. Minions
| designer = Chris Cantrell, Rick Ernst, Stone Librande, Prashant Saraswat, Nathan Tiras
| publisher = Riot Games
| image_link =
| image_caption = Box cover art
| players = 2 to 4
| playing_time = 60 to 120 minutes
| random_chance = Medium
| skills = Resource management, Planning
|
}}
Mechs vs. Minions is a 2016 cooperative board game published by Riot Games set in the League of Legends universe.{{Cite web|date=2016-10-24|title=League of Legends: Mechs vs Minions review – a challenging triumph|url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/24/league-of-legends-mechs-vs-minions-review|access-date=2021-02-14|website=the Guardian|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=2020-01-13|title=League of Legends developer Riot Games is making new board games|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/13/21063835/league-of-legends-developer-tabletop-tellstones-release-date-price|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Polygon|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|date=2017-02-18|title=Mechs vs. Minions review: Come for the minis... then maybe leave|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/02/league-of-legends-first-board-game-come-for-the-minis-then-maybe-leave/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|last=Guarino|first=Ben|title='Mechs vs. Minions' Is Violent, Gleeful Fun|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/25379-mechs-vs-minions-review|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Inverse|date=19 December 2016 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=League of Legends board game, Mechs Vs. Minions, pits Yordles against trash mobs|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/league-of-legends-board-game-mechs-vs-minions|access-date=2021-02-14|website=PCGamesN|date=20 September 2016 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Unboxing and playing the 'League of Legends' board game|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016-10-29-league-of-legends-mechs-vs-minions-unboxing.html|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Engadget|date=29 October 2016 |language=en-US}}
Gameplay
= Components =
Mechs vs. Minions is a cooperative game, where players support each other by planning and sharing commands to control mechs to achieve a goal. Each player has a Command Line, consists of 6 slots. Players play Command Cards into these slots, and then execute the commands in order from left to right.
The commands stay mostly unchanged, and are changed bit by bit each turn. It is important for players to plan ahead, use the right commands, as the danger and tension ramps up.
Game Terms:
- Command Line: A storage for a Mech command cards.
- Command Cards: A command player can put on their Command Line.
- Damage Cards: Penalty cards for taking damage in the game. Some gives immediately effects, while others take up a Command Line slot and have ongoing effects, making the Mech harder to control.
- Crystal Shards, Bombs, Lava Wall Cardboard: Several Objectives of the Games.
- Map Tiles: Cardboard tiles that make the map of the game.
- Mechs: Player units.
- Minions: The main enemies of the game.
= During Play =
Game are split into three phases:
- Player Phase: This phase is when the player plan and execute the command lines for the robots to work.
- Minion Phase: The main and common enemies of the players are the Minions. They move, spawn and attack during this phase.
- Danger Phase: A special phase during which the campaign mechanic progress, for example, lava wall or Boss.
= Campaign =
Players play Mechs vs. Minions in a series of campaigns. In some campaigns, players have to protect a bomb from minions. In others, it is to escape a lava wall, or defeat the boss.
Reception
Mech vs. Minions was overall received positively. The game is praised for the creative combination of programming gameplay and cooperative play.{{Cite web|url=https://coopboardgames.com/cooperative-board-game-reviews/mechs-vs-minions-review#:~:text=Simply%20put%2C%20Mechs%20vs.,as%20a%20co%2Dop%20game.|title=Mechs vs. Minions Review|website=Coop Board Game|date=4 January 2017 }} It is also praised for the high product value compare to its price. However, the game is criticized for its low replayability, when players stop after finishing all campaigns. Riot has since launched a page for players to create and share their own Mech vs Minions campaigns.{{Cite web|url=https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/featured/mvm-scenario-creator#/ |title=Scenario Creator|website=League of Legends}}
= Awards =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:98%" |
| scope="col" style="width:3%;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:22%;"| Award ! scope="col" style="width:33%;"| Category ! scope="col" style="width:6%;"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:1%;"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| {{center|2018}}
| Juego del Año | Finalists | {{nom}} | |
| {{center|2017}}
| SXSW Tabletop | Game of the Year | {{nom}} | |
| rowspan="9"| {{center|2016}}
| rowspan="6"| Golden Geek | Most Innovative Board Game | {{nom}} | rowspan="5"| |
| Board Game of the Year
| {{nom}} |
| Best Thematic Board Game
| {{nom}} |
| Best Strategy Board Game
| {{nom}} |
| Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation
| {{nom}} |
| Best Cooperative Game
| {{won}} |
| rowspan="3"| Board Game Quest Awards
| Game of the Year | {{nom}} | |
| Best Production Values
| {{won}} |
| Best Coop Game
| {{won}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/featured/mechs-vs-minions}}
- {{Bgg title|209010|Mechs vs. Minions}}
{{League of Legends}}
{{Riot Games}}
Category:Board games introduced in 2016
Category:Cooperative board games
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