Board Game Treachery in a Pocket

Treachery in a Pocket is a compact card game designed by Christian Giove and published by Artipia Games in 2017. Set in a medieval and renaissance era, the game immerses players in a world of political intrigue and power struggles among noble houses. Players assume the roles of clandestine operatives, manipulating the positions of nobles to favor their allied house while undermining their rivals.

Game Overview

In Treachery in a Pocket, players aim to maneuver nobles within a hierarchy to elevate their allied house's influence and diminish that of their enemies. The game is played with a deck of 30 cards, including character cards representing nobles, action cards that dictate movements and effects, and objective cards that guide players' strategies. The nobles are arranged in rows symbolizing levels of power—the higher a noble is positioned, the more influence they wield. Players use action cards to shift nobles up or down the hierarchy, striving to position their allies at the top and adversaries at the bottom.

Components

• 10 Character Cards: Representing nobles from various houses.
• 14 Action Cards: Allowing players to manipulate the positions of nobles.
• 6 Objective Cards: Providing secret goals for players to achieve.
• 5 Victory Cards: Used to determine the winner based on achieved objectives.
• 1 Player Aid Card: Summarizing game rules and actions.
• Rulebook: Offering detailed instructions on gameplay.

Gameplay

• Setup: Shuffle and arrange the character cards in a hierarchy on the table. Distribute objective cards to each player, indicating their allied and enemy houses.
• Turns: Players take turns playing action cards to move nobles up or down the hierarchy, swap positions, or apply special effects.
• Objectives: Players aim to fulfill their secret objectives by the end of the game, positioning their allied nobles at the top and enemy nobles at the bottom.
• Endgame: After a set number of rounds, players reveal their objectives and calculate scores based on the final positions of the nobles. The player with the highest score wins.

Key Features

• Player Count: 2 to 4 players.
• Playtime: Approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
• Age Range: Suitable for ages 10 and up.
• Mechanics: Hand management, strategic movement, and secret objectives.
• Theme: Political intrigue and power dynamics in a medieval setting.

Why Play Treachery in a Pocket?

• Strategic Depth: Despite its compact size, the game offers rich strategic choices and replayability.
• Quick Play: Ideal for short gaming sessions or as a filler game between longer plays.
• Portable: Its small footprint makes it easy to carry and play anywhere.
• Engaging Theme: Appeals to fans of political strategy and medieval settings.