Transformers Deck-Building Game - Dawn of the Dinobots: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Head to Head, Team Based, One vs Many, Deck-Building, Co-Operative, Competitive
Player Age: 13+Player Count: 1 - 5 PlayersTime to Play: 45 - 90 Minutes
Game Designer: Dan BlanchettGame Artist: Matt FrankPublisher: Renegade Game StudiosYear Published: 2022Expansion: YesDisclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the publisher.
Player Age: 13+
Game Designer: Dan Blanchett
Introduction:
The long-awaited Dinobots have finally entered the scene. This expansion doesn't just stop at Dinobots, it also adds Shock Wave, a playable Decepticon with a rapid movement of three in alt mode, and the colossal bot that is Devastator.
Card Contents:
There are plenty of added cards to the game including:
- 4 technologies (two of each)
- 4 maneuvers (two of each)
- 2 unique relics
- 4 unique allies
- 4 unique sites
- The new Autobot subtype Dinobot featured in 7 unique Autobots.
- The new Decepticon subtype has been added with 7 unique Decepticons.
- 3 Autobot and Decepticon bosses, one for each level.
- A Decepticon scheme, Autobot initiative and cooperative scheme.
- 4 new Dinobot playable characters (Autobots).
- Two new Decepticons; Shockwave and Devastator.
Game Modes:
Since this expansion has content for Autobots and Decepticons. You are now able to play two new game modes: team vs. team and one vs. many.
Team vs Team:
Team vs team allows each team to be either the Autobot or Decepticon, breathing new life into each Decepticon card as they are no longer merely enemies. Decepticon team members can be added to the Decepticon player deck just like the base game Autobots could. There are two more differences in this mode; defensive assists that allow players to add power to their bosses, and the game-ending additive of five damage cards for one player will end the game and give a further three-point deduction.
One vs Many:
One vs many works in the same manner as team vs team. The difference is that only one person can be either the Decepticon or Autobot and the opposing team can be stretched with all other players.
New Content:
Damage Type:
For added variance between games, a new damage type has been added called Statis Lock. This will instead go in your deck when gained and, when drawn, will prevent you from using any Energon that turn.
Dinobots:
Dinobots are new Autobots that join the fray. However, these Dinobots can be ruthless. All but Swoop can fight fellow Autobots in the matrix instead of purchasing them. In cases like Grimlock, you can get the best of both worlds and add them to your deck.
Devastator:
A new playable Decepticon character has been added. His presence can surely be felt as he comes in as a larger character card and a larger standee. This is because this robot is a combiner, made up of several smaller robots. This is shown in his replacement of starter cards that have special effects if he is in team mode (alt mode) instead of combiner mode (bot mode). Each card has a different benefit such as ways to gain Energon and movement as well as ways to destroy other cards.
Turning into combiner mode will cost an additional Energon and will have you lose one Energon on every future turn otherwise he will revert to individualised team mode. The reason you want to go to this combiner mode is for pure brute strength. He can give other players damage, as well as pay 2 Energon per wrath card to add two power when confronting bots or bosses.
Final Thoughts:
Key Points:
- Plenty of new content.
- Combiner with a modified starter deck.
- New Autobots; Dinobots who have no remorse about which robot they fight.
- The new game modes make the damage a more challenging system as players have to keep their damage low or will initiate the end of the game and lose further points.
This is my first expansion for Transformers the Deck Building Game of which there have already been two, and a standalone set for Decepticons. In my original review, I enjoyed the game but did not feel like it fully tapped its potential. This expansion has done exactly what I hoped and has fleshed out the game without convoluting anything. It has used the adversary system to the fullest, as you can now play as Decepticons, giving new meaning and life to the robot cards. It has further enhanced the experience by adding a combiner robot that towers over the other standees while having its unique bonuses unique starter deck, and powerful attacks. It comes with its penalty of having to spend double the Energon to transform and further Energon to maintain the combined state as well. Additionally, Autobots get their twist with the Dinobots who can fight the other Autobots giving them more potential for victory points at the cost of having fewer deck-building opportunities. This expansion has delivered greatly and has intrigued me to chase down the content I have missed to further add replayability and new mechanisms to the game as well as elevate the core game into a Silver Seal of Approval.
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