# Argent: The Consortium

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 7.6
- **BGG Rank**: #641
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 60-150 min
- **Weight**: 3.75 / 5
- **Designers**: Trey Chambers
- **Artists**: Eunice Abigael Tiu, Jennifer Easley
- **Publishers**: Level 99 Games, Choo Choo Games, Melmac Games
- **Categories**: Fantasy, Political
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Modular Board, Take That, Variable Player Powers, Worker Placement, Worker Placement, Different Worker Types

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love influence games with a touch of malice and deep strategy. The secret victory criteria keep everyone on their toes!Intense and visceral player interactionModular board ensures high replayabilitySmart blend of Euro and interactionEngaging magic academy themeLearning curve can be quite steepAggressive interactions might annoy someRECOMMENDED

## Description
Dust off your spellbook and straighten your robes, because the race for the Chancellorship at the Argent University of Magic has officially begun! In Argent: The Consortium, you aren't just studying magic; you're playing the game of power. The goal is simple: become the most influential mage in the World of Indines, but the path to victory is paved with secrets, betrayals, and heavy political manipulation.

The game blends the precision of a European-style game with the malice of direct player interaction. You'll need to manage your apprentices (your workers) and place them strategically to build your engine, but be warned: not everyone plays fair. The 'Take That' mechanics ensure that your carefully laid plans can be sabotaged at the worst possible moment. The real twist is the mystery: the victory criteria are secret, meaning you must uncover what the Consortium of board members actually wants while projecting the image of the perfect candidate.

Featuring a modular board that shifts every session, Argent avoids predictability. Each game demands a fresh strategy, as your opponents' capabilities are constantly evolving. You'll have to decide exactly when to cast that game-changing spell and which apprentices to recruit to maximize your influence. It's a high-interaction experience where luck is minimized to make room for cunning and long-term planning. If you love the feeling of pulling strings from the shadows while pretending to be a model academic, this is your game. Get ready for intense area majority battles and resource management in a setting inspired by anime and manga aesthetics, where politics are just as dangerous as any dark curse.

## FAQ
### Is the game too complex?
It's classified as an 'Expert' game. It has several layers of rules and high interaction, so it requires focus, but the logic is very rewarding.

### How long does a game take?
Between 60 and 150 minutes. It depends heavily on the player count and how much the group enjoys the political maneuvering.

### Do I need to know English to play?
Very little. There is minimal text, and most information is intuitive or easy to memorize.

### Does it work well with 2 players?
Yes, it supports 2 to 5 players, although the political dynamics really shine with a fuller table.

### Is it a luck-based game?
No. The design focuses on minimizing luck, prioritizing strategy and the player's ability to adapt.

## Price Comparison
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