What Is Abyss Conspiracy: The Card Game
Conspiracy: Abyss Universe is a standalone card game with similar theming and mechanics to the main Abyss board game. Set in the murky depths of the seas, these games focus on the malicious nature of politics with powerful lords from various factions all vying for the most points, pearls and power. The Abyss Conspiracy card game captures all the fun mechanics of the original but scaled-down in a way that makes the game travel friendly and more of an option for just 2-players to enjoy.
Conspiracy Similarities to Abyss The Board Game
Alongside the dark Atlantean sea-life theming, the main components of the games are aligned with the Lords, Locations & Pearls being key ways to earn points. In Conspiracy, you are using your lords to create a strong Parliament, which you place in a 5 card down to 1 shaped triangle in-front of you. Lords are worth various points and have different actions when they are placed. In the points-scoring phase, only the highest points Lord from each faction so it's important to claim these Lords when found in the deck.
Much like how you would choose a Location in the base game, you can select up to 3 cards to draw from the Lords deck selecting which ONE you would like to add to your Parliament. The remaining non-selected Lords, much like the Allies in the base game, are left in a pile on the table where other players can then help themselves to all of the Lords of the same colour rather than taking straight from the Lords deck in the centre. As a player, you’ll want to be picking the best Lord for you whilst ensuring your opponents don’t enjoy big gains through recruiting multiple Lords at once.
Unfortunately, the Conspiracy card game doesn’t include the same pearls as the Abyss Base Game. There is a pearl-master mechanic, but it's not the same as having your physical pearl to swirl around your clam-shaped pearl pot! However, this shouldn’t take too much away from the game itself. The pearl-master mechanic is simple: the last player to have the most pearl on display gets an additional 5 points. Pearls are counted up from Lords and Locations which are marked on a small counter card. This can lead to a real tussle to nudge ahead of your opponents and score a few additional points.
Quick Conspiracy Card Game Strategies
Locations are a big point scorer in this card game. Keys are displayed on Lords and with the right combination of keys you will be able to unlock locations. Multiplier locations are possibly the ones that have the most potential for bigger points. On average, a base location will give you 3 or 4 points, so ones that go beyond this are worth going for. As well as the big 7-point location you’ll find ones that will accumulate more points through having silver keys, Lords of a certain colour or even more locations - so grab these before your opponents.
Another big point swing can be the size of your largest coalition. This is calculated by how many Lords of the same colour are touching within your triangle-shaped parliament. Whilst it's good to diversify Lord colours (as you will only score points for one Lord of each colour), having multiple Lords from the same faction that are touching will get you 3 points per Lord. This makes your Lord placement all the more important and even makes the 0-point Lords (who can make Lords switch positions) even more powerful.
Of course, as well as furthering your own interests in the game, you need to be looking at what your political opponents are doing. By taking less cards from the Lord deck, you could be limiting their options or forcing them to dig for random cards rather than choosing from a selection on the display. Get to locations first, or take one that could score your opponent big points depending on what strategies you can see them working on. Some particularly fun locations force opponents to take certain actions, restricting their turn and potential gains.
Is Abyss Conspiracy Worth It?
Absolutely, yes! My partner and I have a lot of time for Abyss Conspiracy. It’s a quick and easy game that we have shared amongst plenty of friends and family members due to its quick, teachable and easy instructions. The theming and artwork of the Abyss games are so well-done it's definitely welcome to see another game featuring it. It’s a simple game that captures all of the essence of the original with less of time investment and a more limited opportunity for arguments. This is definitely a card game to add to the collection.
What is a Good Score in Conspiracy Abyss?
0-20: You may as well sit out at the next election. Perhaps to play the game better you need a little revisit of the rules, or only choose to take on less formidable political opponents. However, no effort should be dismissed, do you have what it takes to rise up?
21-40: You are developing a shrewd mind that is needed for political power. Your ability to form coalitions and recruit Lords is there, but needs to be bigger and better to take on those stronger powers in the opposition. What will you do next?
41-50: You have a strong political knowledge and know what you need to do to climb to the top of the ladder. However, these efforts are not insurmountable and more able opponents may still be able to topple your government. Will your efforts be enough?
51-60: You have used your political influence to gain a multitude of locations, you have lured stronger and more influential Lords to your cause and you may as well have become the Ultimate master of pearls. Is it enough to control the tides of power?
60+: You have mastered the art of Atlantean politics. Your coalitions are strong, your leaders masterly, your locations vast and your pearl reserves mighty. With points and knowledge a-plenty, legends now say that only a leviathan can stand in your way.