Shakespeare in a fighting game?

⚔️ Unmatched is one of the most popular skirmish games, so it probably doesn’t need a big introduction. But I’ll do it anyway. 😄 Unmatched is for 2-4 players, and while you can play in free-for-all mode, probably 1v1 duels or 2v2 team games are where the game shines the most. One of the biggest strengths of the game(-system) is how many different characters you can play as, as each new box set draws inspiration from wildly different themes and stories - and they are all compatible with each other and come with new maps for tactical combat.

One of the newest sets is 🏹 Slings & Arrows, bringing 4 new playable fighters: William Shakespeare himself plus three characters from his plays. There are some pretty clever mechanics for these fighters!

🎭Shakespeare’s passive ability is the Iambic Pentameter - the type of rhythm he used in his plays. Your cards have a number of syllables and whichever you used to attack or defend are collected in a line. If you manage to make a line consisting of exactly 10 syllables, you get to activate the special ability of the last card in the line. This adds a fun layer to the normal gameflow. 

🧙🏻‍♀️The Wayward Sisters are three witches. They have 3 separate minis that can move around. Every card you play goes into a cauldron to act as ingredients for spells. After attacking you can cast a spell if you have the correct ingredients. Pretty neat!

👑Hamlet’s special mechanic is inspired by the famous quote from the play. Each turn you can choose “To Be” or “Not To Be”, and flip your token accordingly, getting bonuses - namely drawing more cards or dealing more damage. Again, a really fun idea. 😅

🧚Finally there is Titania, the Queen of the Faeries who uses glamours to weave magic. Whenever she doesn’t have a face up glamour card she gets to draw one from the small deck of 6 cards. These all have some ongoing ability to switch things up.

I am no expert at all in Unmatched, but I do see that the game thrives on players knowing it well. If you know the cards you or your opponent might have, games will be more exciting and the decisions more tactical. And we certainly need to study those cards some more. 😄