Sanctuary (board game)

Sanctuary is a 2-player card game designed by James Ernest and published by Cheapass Games. Players vie for control of various characters and locations to score the most victory points. The game utilizes a unique "collapse" mechanic, where cards are removed from the game over time, creating a dynamic and evolving playing field.

Gameplay:

Players start with a hand of character and location cards. On their turn, a player can play a card, discard a card, or "collapse" the market. Playing a card allows the player to place a character at a location or manipulate existing cards. Discarding a card allows the player to draw a new card. Collapsing the market involves removing a row of cards from the central card display, potentially disrupting the opponent's plans and creating new opportunities.

The game continues until a predetermined number of rounds have been completed, or until a player triggers the endgame condition. Victory points are then tallied based on controlled locations and various card effects. The player with the most victory points wins the game.

Key Mechanics:

• Card Drafting: Players select cards from a central market, creating opportunities for strategic card acquisition.
• Area Control: Controlling locations is crucial for scoring victory points.
• Card Manipulation: Many cards have special abilities that allow players to manipulate other cards in play.
• Collapse Mechanism: The collapsing market introduces a dynamic element, requiring players to adapt their strategies as the game progresses.

Components:

• Deck of Character Cards
• Deck of Location Cards
• Rulebook

Editions:

Sanctuary has been released in multiple editions by Cheapass Games. These editions feature variations in artwork and card text, but the core gameplay remains consistent.