Martyr: Bloody Theater 1528
Requirements
Description
In Martyr: Bloody Theater 1528, you will push your luck using action selection to react to an ever-changing game state, while controlling the advantage, or disadvantage, of player turn order.
But stay focused, because as you incentivize other players to aid your cause, you may also be delivering them to victory...
Thematic Overview
Those criminals are being called “Heretics!” “Enemies of the Government!” “Messengers of the Antichrist!” And you're compelled to join them.
Europe, early 1500s. Now, the State Church has determined that you, too, deserve a terminal sentence for committing multiple crimes – that is, what they have decided are crimes.
But you are scheming to seize a rare opportunity: To use your final act to subvert the State Church’s effort towards full governmental supremacy. Armed only with a message and your final breaths, can you use them shrewdly in the ultimate performance of your life?
Shown below: Video teaser highlighting integration of the theme
Game Objective
Your goal in Martyr: Bloody Theater 1528 is to score the most points over a variable number of rounds by claiming beneficial tiles from the game board - Doctrine tiles to point you towards victory, and Spectator tiles to help you along the way.
Shown above: Doctrine tiles (left) and Spectator tiles (right)
Strategically choose where and when to play your Breath cubes, which allow you to perform actions that help earn you the right to claim tiles and also control the pace of the game.
Shown above: A Hymn card (left), one of four location where breaths can be placed and a Sermon card (right), to manipulate turn order and gain Spectator tiles
Your final points will be based on your speculation of the potential value of your accumulating tiles on their associated Allegiance tracks.
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Shown above: The Allegiance tracks for the Doctrine of Just War
Timing when to select your potential values is crucial as other players may or may not assist you in realizing that value.
The game ends when you and/or any other Martyr have no Breath cubes remaining.
Contend valiantly!
Shown below: Video explaining how to set up and play a four-player game.
Components
| Component | Quantity | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Domino Chit Set | 1 set of 16 domino chits |  |
| Large Square Chit Set | 1 set of 18 large square chits |  |
| Large Square Chit Set | 1 set of 18 large square chits |  |
| Business Deck | 1 deck of 15 cards |  |
| Bridge Deck | 1 deck of 4 cards |  |
| Bridge Deck | 1 deck of 4 cards |  |
| Bridge Deck | 1 deck of 14 cards |  |
| Bridge Deck | 1 deck of 11 cards |  |
| Bridge Deck | 1 deck of 4 cards |  |
| Bridge Deck | 1 deck of 4 cards |  |
Vitals
| Average Rating | 1 reviews |
|---|---|
| Publish Date | August 03, 2021 |
| Edition | First |
| Department | Games |
| Tags | Action Selection Worker Placement Push-Your-Luck Europe religious Political 1500s anabaptist history Historical Simulation |
| More Info | Martyr: Bloody Theater 1528 web site |
Why buy this?
Martyr isn’t the sort of game that leans into easy characterization.... Although there are only three actions, their interactions are interwoven in interesting, unexpected, and, yes, oblique ways.
- Strategic depth with shared incentives + emergent gameplay
- Massive replayability + scales well for all player counts
- Immersive history + meticulously-researched flavor text
John Ratigan
Notes
- This game contains a premium upgrade called UV Coating that makes the printed components more durable.
- This game contains a premium upgrade where the printed components will be embossed with a linen texture.
- This game contains laser cut components. Laser cut items will have a slight amount of soot around the edges, which can easily be wiped off; and will have a campfire smell for about a week after you open them.
Accolades
See It In Action
Ratings and Reviews
Beautiful game, gorgeous art, high quality components. Play is tense and exciting, and the theme is unique. I’d definitely buy another game from this team.
