Price of Influence is a competitive strategy game for 2 players using only a standard deck of playing cards. Players recruit nobles (Jacks, Queens, Kings) to build rival courts, equip them with weapons and armor, and manage limited resources to outmaneuver opponents through combat, economics, or tactical mastery. The Core Concept: Every noble in your court provides "influence" in their suit, determining both which cards you can play each turn and how powerful those cards become. This creates an escalating tension between building your court for influence and risking your nobles in combat for victory. Victory Paths: Outmaneuvered: Recruit all three noble ranks and equip each with gear matching their rank Flawless Strategy: Leverage specific club cards in your hand to demonstrate tactical mastery Broken Command: Force your opponent to lose too many nobles in battle Economic Collapse: Drive your opponent to over-leverage their resources What Makes It Different: Unlike typical card games that rely on luck of the draw, Price of Influence emphasizes resource management and tactical positioning. The "tribute" system requires players to sacrifice cards, equipment, or saved resources to take actions, creating meaningful economic decisions every turn. Combat uses an assignment system where the active player chooses all battles, leading to complex tactical scenarios. Complexity: Medium - easy to learn core mechanics, deep strategic interactions Price of Influence delivers the strategic depth of modern card games using components found in any household, making complex strategy accessible anywhere cards can be played. —description from the designer

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