Micro Bots: Duel
A Hard-Hitting Tiny Tussle!
I’m back! And I’ve got another preview for you all today. I just got done playing the Print and Play version of Micro Bots: Duel and I wanted to share my thoughts on the game while it’s still available on Kickstarter.
Micro Bots is a strategic duelling game where you must outmanoeuvre, and outwit, your opponent. Card effects (attacking, moving, etc.) become more powerful based on the number of cards you have previously placed. So the order you play your cards determines your strategy — do you hold back your big attacks for maximum firepower, or deplete your opponent’s defences with a first strike?
A two-player dueling game that runs 15–45 minutes for ages 14+ (though it seems younger players could easily jump right in and enjoy this one).
Micro Bots: Duel is by Prometheus Game Labs and is the follow-up to the successful Micro-Dojo. Click the link for my review of Micro Dojo: Loyalty & Deceit.
Both games are designed to be able to fit into your pocket and pull out for a quick game. I was attracted to this feature of Micro Dojo and Micro Bots: Duel gives me the chance to smash with my opponent head-to-head instead of dancing on a player board selecting and blocking actions.
Finally, a family-friendly robot battler that’s fun and fits in my pocket!
Mechanisms
MB:D features 1v1 combat that is supplemented both by cards played in a player’s tableau and numbered tokens that can be played to boost one’s action. But be careful! If you use your stronger tokens early your opponent will have a really good idea of what they need to win future combats until you take the rest action — returning the tokens and most of your cards to your hand.
As I mentioned above, there is minor tableau-building. You can play an attack card or a support card. Support cards will provide some passive effects that can help you with attack and defense as long as they remain in your tableau.
MB:D features a system of hand management with similarities to Concordia and Pampero but lighter and with a simplified deck that you can start to get a feel for right away.
The game also features a distance mechanic that is abstracted through a meter that shows if the bots are close or far from each other. The closer they are, the more damage the combats can dish out on those poor little bots.
Like the games listed about, in MB:D you can take a type of rest action to bring cards back to your hand. This decision is important to time out carefully because you are vulnerable when you take this action. Refueling your energy and tokens prepare you for another few rounds of bluffing and fighting.
Each robot has a starting set of cards, energy, health, and battle tokens. Players can buy cards from a card market for energy on their turns.
Who is this for?
This game crosses over a lot of genres and checks off a lot of boxes, so I feel it has a wide appeal. The game’s compact design allows you to slip it into your pocket or back for a quick game while waiting for a flight at the airport or between heavy games on Gameday. A good game for couples or a parent and child to play at home. At 15+ minutes, it won’t wear out its welcome and, for me, the cost is reasonable for the amount of fun I’m getting.
Click to check out Micro Bots: Duel Kickstarter Page.
Who it might not work for?
Those who like displaying large beautiful boxes on their shelves. Those who want tons of extra deluxifications, expansions, and endless cards for their games. Those who want a much heavier battler game may want to consider it carefully.
Final Thoughts
Like Prometheus Game Labs' previous hit — Micro Dojo — this one works for me. I’m always on the lookout for thinky fillers and this one, being a battler, is much different from what I usually have a chance to play. While I only had a chance to try this as a print-and-play I think the total experience from the KS version looks really cool and I’m more than a bit jealous of others who played a test copy.
Prometheus Games was generous enough to offer a test copy for a fully-voluntary review of my honest opinions. The box got lost in the mail, but I’m still glad I was able to play with Micro Bots: Duel.
