# Abyss: Kraken

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 7.7
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 30-60 min
- **Weight**: 2.48 / 5
- **Designers**: Bruno Cathala, Charles Chevallier
- **Artists**: Xavier Collette
- **Publishers**: Bombyx, Asterion Press, Doit Games, Galápagos Jogos, Grimspire, Rebel Sp. z o.o.
- **Categories**: Card Game, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Mythology, Science Fiction
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Hand Management, Open Drafting, Push Your Luck, Set Collection

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love the base game and want more risk and premium components.Kraken miniature looks amazingNebulis add great tensionNew cards refresh the strategyDoesn't overcomplicate base rulesRequires base game to playLuck can be frustratingRECOMMENDED

## Description
If you've already dove into the world of Abyss, get ready to go even deeper. The Kraken expansion takes us to the cemetery of giant creatures, a dark and unsettling place in the heart of the Deep Kingdom. Here, the Smugglers Guild calls the shots, and the prize is the Nebulis — mysterious black pearls that serve as the realm's unofficial, underground currency. These pearls are the fastest route to power, but like any shady deal, they come with a huge risk: getting caught with Nebulis can lead to a terrible fate.

What makes this expansion compelling is that it doesn't rewrite the base game rules but instead injects new layers of tension and strategy. You'll find new Allies and Lords to manipulate, as well as new locations to explore. The real star, however, is the Kraken figure and the Nebulis dynamics, adding a 'push your luck' element that keeps the table on edge. It's the kind of content that expands tactical possibilities without overcomplicating the rulebook, preserving the core essence of the game while offering new ways to scheme and win.

Regarding components, the box provides everything needed for the new experience: the Kraken miniature, a transparent cup for the luck mechanics, 25 black pearls, new loot cards, and new location tiles. It's the perfect addition for those who feel the base game has become predictable and want to add a pinch of danger and greed to the ocean depths. If you enjoy tense auctions and managing your hand while trying not to get swallowed by a sea monster, Kraken is a must-have.

## How to Play
Objective of the Game
In Abyss: Kraken, players dive into the depths of the kingdom of Abyss, where the Smugglers guild operates among the skeletons of giant sea creatures. Using the dangerous black pearls called Nebulis as a parallel currency, players must navigate political intrigue while avoiding corruption. The goal is to gain the most Influence Points by recruiting Lords, controlling Locations, and managing resources wisely. Beware—holding too many Nebulis at the end of the game will cost you points!

Preparation (Setup)

  Shuffle the new Allies, Lords, and Locations from the expansion into their respective decks from the base game.
  Place the Nebulis in a cup and set it next to the Kraken figure and the base game’s Pearls cup.
  Place the 3 Sentinel tokens next to the Lords deck.
  Shuffle the Loot cards and place them face-down next to the Locations deck.
  Proceed with the base game’s setup as described in its rulebook.


Flow of the Game
The game follows the same structure as the base game, with players taking turns to explore, recruit Lords, and control Locations. The expansion introduces new elements like kraken Allies, Nebulis, and Sanctuaries, which add layers of strategy and risk. The Kraken figure tracks the most corrupt player (the one with the most Nebulis), and Sentinel tokens allow players to reserve key game elements.

Actions and How to Play
New Allies: The Kraken
Kraken Allies are wild cards—when used, you choose which Race they count as. However, using them grants you Nebulis:

  When recruiting a Lord with kraken Allies, discard them first, then affiliate the lowest-valued remaining Ally.
  Before tallying Influence Points, discard any remaining kraken Allies in your hand and take their Nebulis.


The Nebulis
Nebulis are a risky currency:

  You can spend ONE Nebulis per purchase, but only if you’ve spent all your Pearls.
  At game end, each Nebulis costs you 1 Influence Point, and the player with the most loses 5 additional points.
  The Kraken figure moves to whoever holds the most Nebulis.


New Locations: Sanctuaries
Four Sanctuaries (Cetaceous Cemetery, Abandoned Convoy, Megalodon, and Battlefield) use a push-your-luck mechanic:

  Draw Loot cards one by one, taking rewards (e.g., Keys, Pearls, or Allies).
  If you draw a card matching a previous value, discard both and end your search.
  Stop early to keep your rewards, or risk continuing for higher-value Loot.


Sentinel Tokens
Recruiting certain Smuggler Lords (Watcher, Vigil, or Lookout) grants a Sentinel token, which lets you reserve:

  A Lord at the Court.
  A Council stack (even if empty).
  An available Location.

Only one Sentinel can be placed per board area at a time.

End of Game and Scoring
The game ends as per the base game’s rules. Final scoring includes:

  Influence Points from Lords, Locations, and other sources.
  Subtract 1 point per Nebulis in your reserve.
  The player with the most Nebulis loses 5 additional points.

The player with the highest total Influence Points wins.

Tips for Winning

  Manage Nebulis carefully: Spend them early to avoid penalties, but don’t hoard them.
  Use kraken Allies strategically: Their flexibility is powerful, but the Nebulis they grant can backfire.
  Push your luck wisely in Sanctuaries: Weigh the risks of drawing more Loot cards against potential rewards.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, this is an expansion. You must own Abyss to use the Kraken content.

### Does it make the game much more complex?
Not at all! The base rules remain the same; the expansion just adds new elements and cards.

### What do the Nebulis do?
They act as an illegal currency that speeds up your path to power, but carries risks if you're caught.

### How many players can play with the expansion?
The same as the base game: 2 to 4 players.

### Does the playtime increase significantly?
Not really. Games still typically last between 30 to 60 minutes.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 28.75 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4776960&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/16015/abyss-kraken?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com