Objective
Der Schwarm is a cooperative board game based on the novel of the same name by Frank Schätzing. The players aim to explore the mysterious underwater phenomenon and save humanity from a global catastrophe through collaboration.
Game Type and Player Count
The game is a cooperative board game designed for 2 to 4 players.
Setup
- Each player chooses a character with specific skills.
- The game board shows a world map where various danger zones are marked.
- Different decks (resources, events, research) are prepared.
Gameplay
- Round Structure: The game is played in rounds. Each round consists of the phases:
- Event Phase
- Player Actions
-
Inventory Check
-
Event Phase: At the beginning of each round, an event card is drawn, influencing the game. Event cards describe challenges that players must overcome in that round.
-
Player Actions:
- Move: Players move their characters to different locations on the world map. Some areas may have specific effects.
- Research: Players use their research cards to exchange information between characters and make progress.
-
Combat Dangers: Players must use resources to counter the various threats revealed during the event phase.
-
Inventory Check: At the end of each round, the game's progress is evaluated. Threats not successfully countered result in global impacts.
Winning and Losing
- The game is won when players successfully complete all main missions and decipher the source of the threat.
- The game is lost if threats get out of control and too many negative events occur.
Strategic Tips
- Communication: Since "Der Schwarm" is a cooperative game, it is crucial that all players coordinate their actions.
- Resource Management: Resource depletion can become critical, so careful planning is essential.
- Set Priorities: Not all dangers can be eliminated immediately. Determine as a group which threats need to be addressed first.
Enjoy exploring the unknown and saving the world!