Duel for Meloch: Rapid Review
Information:
Mechanics: Area Control, Engine Building, Variable Player Powers, Assymetrical
Player Age: 14+Player Count: 1 - 2 PlayersTime to Play: 45 Minutes
Game Designer: Jamey Stegmaier
Player Age: 14+
Game Designer: Jamey Stegmaier
Rundown:
Duel for Meloch is a really hard game to explain and review. However, it is a production feat that needs to be noted. Jamey Stegmaier has taken his two existing titles Expeditions and Scythe and created a shorter duel game. There are some interpretations of game crossovers in the industry so far, and loving them, an example is Mindbug X King of Tokyo. Duel for Meloch is more than this where other crossovers carry across the feelings of one game or characters into another system. Duel for Meloch is a system designed to hold residence for two other systems at once. The players are separated into one Scythe player
and one Expeditions player.
Each playing their own game system with the larger duel system. For the original review of Scythe click here, and for Expeditions click here. This review will focus more on how this system works and what else it could contain.
Alteration:
As a standalone product the alteration in Duel for Meloch isn't high there are a low amount of cards in all main decks, as well as only one faction / board for each side.
The main replayability comes from mastering either side. As a system and game that has just been released it offers odd alteration. For any fan of Scythe or Expeditions, that player will already own expansions for Duel of Meloch because the cards, the factions and the boards are all compatible as an expansion for this. It may not start as a high level of replayability but for an existing fan (or one willing to expand) there is an abundance of content that can be added to Duel of Meloch. Furthermore if that content is readily available players can actually play a game of Scythe vs Scythe or Expeditions vs Expeditions with slight variance to the rules. While everything in the game is an expansion for their own standalone systems.
Pursuit:
In both Expeditions and Scythe the game ends when enough stars are placed by a player but they aren't determined to be the winner. Instead there is additional scoring to be calculated. In Duel for Meloch the winner is determined by a race for placing on the triumph track. The first player to place four of their stars is the winner. Simple as that, no post conclusion scoring.
The board is double sided for variability and has one side relating to each player, each triumph can only have one player place a star (also double sided for replayability). The Scythe players will place a star immediately when they meet the triumph. The Expeditions player however, has to have a boast action to fill an already met triumph. Depending on that player's setup this can allow the Scythe player to catch up. The exception to this rule is winning combat for the Expeditions player will instantly meet this condition.
Duel for Meloch has a very interesting catch up system that balances when a player is lagging behind to keep both players engaged to the end of the game. The meloch cards will get revealed whenever the other player has met a triumph. The player who did not place a star will draw the meloch card and cover one half of the last played card.
This system is very interesting. Since it isn't as rewarding when players are close meeting triumphs. If one player is falling behind the Meloch cards become more beneficial with more bonuses gained.
Interaction:
For the full level of interaction to be on display in this game each player has to have a good understanding of Scythe and Expeditions (unless playing the variant of duel for one game). The triumph track will have the players sharing similar goals, which are balanced based on the ease that each side can obtain, for example 9 coins for Expedition players and 12 coins for Scythe player. The triumphs are very easy for inexperienced players to see how the other player is progressing but when it comes to preventing the other player actively that is when the experience of the engines becomes more paramount.
The most obvious way to slow down the Scythe player is to place the Expeditions mech on a hex they control.
This now gives the Expeditions player control and the Scythe player can no longer trade, produce, spend resources, build or deploy in that hex. Introduced in Duel for Meloch the Expeditions player can now engage in combat by doing a vanquish action when on the same hex. The Expeditions player will use power and combat cards. Combat cards in this game are duel purpose, not only can they be used for combat but can be used as a free action to gain the benefit in the top right of the card.
Determination:
- Cross compatible expansions, this expands both base games and both of those games act as expansions for Duel for Meloch.
- Faster gameplay.
- Can work as Scythe vs Scythe or Expeditions vs Expeditions.
- Target market isn't introductory but for veterans of at least one of the other games.
- Incredibly challenging to learn and teach unless players have great knowledge of the other two games.
Duel for Meloch is truly an intriguing concept. Merging two popular titles into a shorter duel game. Which could have stopped there as a third separate entry into the Stonemaier's 1920 universe. However, everything Duel for Meloch is cross-compatible with the other two games expanding those lines as well as being able to use characters, boards and decks from the other games in Duel for Meloch. This may appear as a great introduction into the set as it has a shorter length and is only made for two players. In my opinion though, Duel for Meloch isn't for new players to Scythe or Expeditions instead it offers a new way for veteran players to play. Whether this uses content they have from one of the other games to play a shorter duel mode or whether it is to play Scythe vs Expeditions, which works amazingly well as a side note. If you are a fan of Scythe, Expeditions or both already then I can easily recommend Duel for Meloch. If you are new to these franchises I would familiarise yourself with the other two games first, before tackling the shorter but rule heavier cumulation.
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