Vindication Board Game – Rules, Strategy and How to Win Tips

Introduction

Vindication is a strategic, tile-based board game where you play as a character who’s been thrown overboard for being a terrible person. But, here’s the twist: you survive, wash up on an island, and get a shot at redemption. The goal? To become the most vindicated hero around by gaining honor points. I find the concept to be a pretty interesting one.

The game was created by Orange Nebula and first hit the scene in 2018. It’s known for its deep strategy and beautiful artwork. People I’ve played with seem to love it because every game feels different, thanks to the modular board and a bunch of different ways to score points. Let’s dive into what makes Vindication stand out and how you can get good at playing it.

Rules for playing Vindication

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Vindication rules. First off, the game is for 2-5 players and usually takes about 15-30 minutes per player. The main goal is to collect honor points, which you can get in a bunch of different ways, like controlling regions, defeating monsters, or gaining attributes. The game ends when the end-game condition is triggered, and then everyone finishes the current round before counting up their honor points to see who’s the most vindicated.

Each player starts as a wretched character with a personal journey card that gives them a unique path to vindication. You’ll be moving around the board, which is made up of hexagonal region tiles, and using influence to activate various locations. Influence is like a currency that you’ll manage throughout the game.

There are three main attributes in the game: Strength, Knowledge, and Inspiration. You’ll use these to interact with locations, companions, and relics. The game also has a cool mechanic called “vindication,” where you transform your influence into attributes to become more powerful.

Combat is another part of the game, where you’ll fight monsters for rewards. But be careful, because if you’re not strong enough, you might end up with shame points, which are negative points.

There’s a lot more to the rules, but that’s the basic idea. You’ll be exploring, gaining resources, and trying to outsmart your opponents to rack up those honor points.

Equipment and Setup for Vindication

Now, let’s talk about what you need to play Vindication and how to set it up. Inside the box, you’ll find a bunch of stuff:

1. A big board made of hex tiles that you’ll arrange differently each time you play.
2. Character miniatures and cubes for tracking influence and attributes.
3. Cards for companions, relics, monsters, and more.
4. Tokens for various resources and points.

Setting up the game is part of the fun. You’ll create the island by randomly placing the hex tiles. Each player gets a character board, a miniature, and starts with some influence and a couple of attributes. You’ll also set up decks of cards and tokens near the board for everyone to reach.

There are different types of tiles in Vindication, like the monastery, where you can gain inspiration, or the fortress, where you can gain strength. Each type of tile has its own function and will help you in different ways.

If you don’t have the game, you could try making a DIY version with some creativity, but I’d recommend getting the real deal because the well-made components are a big part of the experience.

How to Play Vindication and Game Mechanics

Playing Vindication involves a few key steps each turn:

1. Move: You can move your character up to three spaces on the board.
2. Visit: Interact with the tile you landed on, like gaining resources or fighting a monster.
3. Rest: If you don’t want to move, you can rest and get some influence back.
4. Convert: Turn your influence into attributes or vindicate yourself to become more powerful.

Gameplay goes around the table with each player taking their turn. You’ll be trying to use your influence and attributes in the best way possible to get ahead. The game ends when a certain number of end-game conditions are met, like a number of monsters being defeated or a pile of cards running out.

How to Win at Vindication

Winning at Vindication is all about strategy. Here are some tips for different levels of play:

Beginner: Focus on understanding how the different locations work and how you can use them to get honor points. Don’t spread yourself too thin; pick a couple of strategies and stick to them.

Intermediate: Start paying attention to what your opponents are doing and try to block their plans while advancing your own. Also, keep an eye on the end-game triggers so you can plan your moves accordingly.

Advanced: At this level, you should be thinking a few turns ahead. Try to control key locations and be flexible with your strategy. If you see an opportunity to score big points, even if it’s not what you planned, go for it!

Best Strategies for playing Vindication game

Vindication is a strategic board game that blends several mechanics, including area control, resource management, and character development. To excel at Vindication, players should focus on multiple strategies. Firstly, it’s important to understand the synergy between the various attributes (Strength, Knowledge, and Inspiration) and how they can be leveraged to gain Honor points. Players should strive to control regions on the board that align with their attribute strengths and desired guild affiliations. Efficient movement is also crucial, so planning your pathways to minimize wasted turns is key. Engaging with companions and relics can provide powerful bonuses; hence, acquiring and using them effectively can give a player a significant advantage. Balancing the questing aspect with the need to vindicate oneself (thus unlocking more powerful actions) should be a central part of any strategy. Lastly, adaptability cannot be overstated; being able to pivot your strategy based on other players’ actions and the dynamic state of the board is essential for claiming victory in Vindication.

For the best strategies, you’ll want to:

1. Control powerful locations that give you ongoing benefits.
2. Collect companions that complement your strategy.
3. Defeat monsters that give you honor points and other bonuses.
4. Use relics wisely, as they can be game-changers.
5. Keep an eye on the honor track and make sure you’re not falling behind.

Sneaky tactics can also come in handy. For example, you might pretend to go for one strategy to mislead your opponents and then switch to another. Or you could hoard certain resources to make them scarce for others.

Scenarios

Sometimes you’ll find yourself in a tough spot, like being low on influence or having an opponent control all the good locations. Here’s how to turn things around:

If you’re low on influence, consider resting more often or visiting the inn to get more. If an opponent is controlling the board, try to make alliances with other players to take them down a notch. Always be adaptable and ready to change your plans.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Vindication game

Here are some common questions and answers:

1. Q: How long does a game of Vindication take?
   A: It usually takes about 15-30 minutes per player.
2. Q: Can I play Vindication solo?
   A: Yes, there’s a solo mode in the rulebook.
3. Q: Is Vindication good for families?
   A: It’s great for families with older kids or teens who enjoy strategy games.
4. Q: How do I keep track of all the different rules?
   A: The player boards and reference cards help a lot. After a few games, it gets easier.
5. Q: Can I change my strategy mid-game?
   A: Absolutely, being flexible is key to winning at Vindication.

External Links

For more info on Vindication, check out these links:

Official Vindication Page by Orange Nebula

Vindication Deep Dive Review [Video]