At a time, long long ago (2014) during the (board game) Renaissance, there was a market where merchants (the players) gathered together to collect gems to gain prestige and buy curiosities. Like vulturous magpies, the players pounced on all that shiny splendor. A few years later, two merchants take on each other in a stunning duel. Who grabs the most prestige and who succumbs to gold fever?
Background and objective
Splendor Duel is a game specially developed for two players and derived from the popular and well-known game Splendor. Splendor veterans will be familiar with several game elements that are also included in the Duel version. However, the game offers plenty of twists and variety even for these veterans. This version is more vicious and a lot more interactive. Therefore, as with 7 Wonders Duel, I dare say that this two-player version is the ultimate version.
Like the multiplayer game, in Splendor Duel the two players go about collecting various gems – as well as pearls and gold – to add unique jewels, jewellery, ornaments and crowns to their collection in order to accumulate points and make it easier to buy cards in future turns. A player has won once they meet one of three possible win conditions: 1. gaining 20 points, 2. collecting 10 crowns or 3. gaining 10 points with cards of the same ‘colour’.
Game setup
At the beginning of the game, the central game board is laid out in the centre of the table. Poker chips (with gems, pearls and gold) are drawn from the bag and placed on the game board in order of the arrow. Above the game board, a pyramid of cards is placed with five Level I cards, four Level II cards and three Level III cards to form the market. Also placed next to the board are privilege rolls (plastic pieces of parchment) and a number of noble bonus cards to ‘crown’ players with their presence during the game.
Gameplay
How is Splendor Duel played? On your turn, you have several actions you can perform. At the beginning of your turn, you may perform two optional actions (in order). First, you may play a privilege roll to collect a token of your choice (not gold) from the game board. You may also replenish the game board with chips from the bag (if available). If you replenish, the opponent gets a privilege roll.
Besides optional actions, you must compulsorily perform one (no more or less) of the standard actions: 1. take three gem or pearl tokens from the board, 2. take a gold nugget from the board and “reserve” a card from the market or 3. buy a card and place it in front of you.
If you collect gem or pearl chips, you can take up to 3 consecutive chips from the game board. You may take tiles in a diagonal or orthogonal direction. If you grab three gems in the same colour or 2 pearl chips during your turn, the other player gets a privilege roll.
If you take a gold nugget and reserve a card, put the reserved card facedown in front of you. You can reserve a maximum of three cards. Only you are able to buy these cards from now on. Gold nuggets count as a wild. When you buy a card (from the market or from your reserved supply), you pay the price shown in chips and then add this card to your personal area.
Buying cards sometimes gives you points, sometimes bonuses and sometimes ‘discounts’. Some cards depict a certain gem (colour). If you buy a card with such a bonus, in subsequent turns you have to pay one less gem in that colour to buy cards. That way, you try to build a system of discounts to buy the best cards as efficiently as possible. That is one playful savings programme or form of extreme couponing.
When a player has collected three or six crowns (which are shown on the cards), they get a visit from a noble for some extra points and maybe even a bonus action.
Verdict
Splendor Duel is a very challenging and tactical game for two players, but contains a clear game flow, a clear layout and simple rules, making it suitable for a wide range of players. The game is highly interactive, as players collect chips from a common board and try to buy cards from a common market. This interaction makes the game feel vicious at times, but never frustrating, unless of course someone steals your hard-earned chips through a bonus of a card. The central game board also adds an extra puzzle element to the established Splendor. I personally find that new game element, where players have to puzzle to collect a clever collection of gems, a fine brain teaser. A great game that should be crowned.
