Our Verdict
Fans of card strategy and vibrant art will love Avant Carde!
Highlights
- Creative color and number combos
- Engaging deck building
- Reward system for performance
Keep in mind
- Moderate complexity may confuse beginners
- Patron rules require constant attention
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Avant Carde is a card game that blends deck building, matching, and collection in a vibrant cubist setting. Each player starts with a deck of ten cards, mostly 1s and 2s in various colors and four high‑value cards in distinct colors. At the start of each turn, you draw a hand of seven cards and set up the best possible display by matching colors and numbers—e.g., a red 11, a red 1, a purple 1, and a purple 13. Each card you play earns you one dollar, and you can spend that money to buy cards from the gallery stacks, where each number costs its face value (2 costs $2, 3 costs $3, etc.). A strategic move is the option to bury the top card of a stack to the bottom, which can open future opportunities. If you don’t spend all your money and don’t yet have a change token, you can take a $1 token from the bank for later use. At the end of your turn, you discard all played and remaining hand cards, shuffle the discard pile, and refill your hand to seven cards. Six patrons numbered 2 to 7 grant additional powers: playing more 2s gives you an extra $1, playing a 3 lets you discard a card, playing a 4 lets you change its color or number, and patrons 5 and 7 increase your income or allow you to buy extra cards. The ultimate goal is to accumulate awards: earning at least $6 gives you one award, $11 gives four awards, and so on. When the award deck runs out, the player with the most awards wins. The game runs smoothly for 1 to 5 players, lasts 25 to 35 minutes, and has a moderate complexity that requires careful attention to matching and timing. It’s perfect for fans of card games that emphasize strategy, collection, and a splash of artistic flair.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
5
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Resonym, Gigamic, HUCH!, Mosaico Jogos
Designer
Mary Flanagan, Max Seidman
Artist
Ishita Banerjee
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
1,867owners
356wishlist
34want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How long does a game of Avant Carde last?
On average, a game takes about 25 to 35 minutes, making it great for quick sessions or as a filler between other activities.
How many players can play?
The game supports 1 to 5 players, including a solo mode where you compete against your own performance.
What is the complexity level?
The complexity is moderate; the game requires attention to card combinations, purchase timing, and patron bonuses, but it’s not overly complicated.
What components are included?
Avant Carde comes with a 120‑card deck, gallery stacks, money tokens, change tokens, an award deck, and patron tokens for each bonus type.
Who is the game best suited for?
It’s ideal for players who enjoy strategic card games, collection mechanics, and a vibrant artistic flair.
How does the solo mode work?
In solo mode, you compete against your own performance, trying to accumulate the most awards possible under the same rules used in multiplayer.
Is there a digital version?
Yes, Avant Carde is available on Tabletopia, letting you play online with friends or against the computer.
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