Objective of the Game
In K2, players take on the role of mountain climbers aiming to conquer K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. The goal is to reach the summit with your climbers and keep them alive for as long as possible, enduring harsh weather conditions and a lack of oxygen. The player with the most points from height gains after 18 game days (rounds) wins the game.
Components
- Game Board with a depiction of K2, showing various elevation levels.
- Climber Figures for each player (two per player)
- Tents for each player (one per player)
- Action Cards for movement and acclimatization
- Weather Cards for each week of the game
- Acclimatization Boards for each player
- Climber Markers for height tracking
Setup
- Place the game board in the center of the table.
- Each player takes their climber figures, one tent, and a set of action cards.
- Place the climbers at the base of the mountain on the starting position.
- Give each player an acclimatization board and set their markers accordingly.
- Shuffle the weather cards and draw the appropriate cards for the game duration.
Game Play
The game is played over 18 rounds. Each round consists of the following phases:
- Weather Phase:
- Flip over a new weather card and lay it out for all to see.
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The weather card dictates the conditions for the round, affecting safety on different elevation levels.
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Action Cards Phase:
- Each player secretly selects three action cards from their hand and places them face down.
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These cards allow for movement and adjustment to the harsh conditions (acclimatization).
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Action Phase:
- All players simultaneously reveal their chosen action cards.
- Each player "plays" their movement and acclimatization actions in turn.
- Movement: Change your climber’s position on the board based on the total movement points on your action cards.
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Acclimatization: Increase a climber's acclimatization as per the card values. Oxygen deprivation worsens at higher altitudes.
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Acclimatization Phase:
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Based on the elevation and current weather, adjust the acclimatization track of the climbers. If they fall to or below zero, they perish, and the player loses that climber.
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End of Round:
- Each player draws cards to fill their hand again.
End of the Game
The game ends after the 18th round. Players tally their victory points based on their climbers' highest achieved elevations. The player with the most victory points wins the game. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest-ranking climber wins.
Strategic Tips
- Mind the Weather: Always consider the impact of weather cards as they can greatly affect your climbers.
- Manage Oxygen Well: Balance pushing forward with safe acclimatization to keep your climbers alive.
- Use Tents Wisely: Utilize your tent to create safe resting spots for your climbers.
- Risk Management: Weigh risks and plan your moves to ensure your climbers can stay active in higher parts of the mountain.
