# Balneator

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2010
- **BGG Rating**: 5.8
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2 (Best with: 1, 2)
- **Duration**: 25 min
- **Weight**: 1.00 / 5
- **Designers**: Andreas Rohde
- **Artists**: Christof Tisch
- **Publishers**: W. Nostheide Verlag GmbH
- **Categories**: Abstract Strategy, Ancient, Dice
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence

## Verdict
A quick and tactical abstract duel simulating the competition to heat Roman baths. Perfect for those who enjoy two-player games with direct gameplay and a touch of luck.Sharp abstract strategyFast-paced matchesDirect player interactionDice dependencyLightly applied themeFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
In Balneator, you and your opponent step into the sandals of bath attendants in ancient Rome, vying for the prestigious title of Balneator. The ultimate goal? To be the one who perfectly heats the public baths before your rival does. You'll use six dice (three of each color) and two pawns known as 'Terminators' to achieve this.

Each turn is a strategic duel. You have two main actions: either move one of your Terminators or change the value of one of your dice. Moving a Terminator allows it to slide in a straight line (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) across any number of empty spaces. If it moves over or lands next to a die, that die's value is adjusted: +1 for the red Terminator and -1 for the blue one. Be warned, dice in the central bath are never affected! Alternatively, you can tweak the value of one of your dice, increasing or decreasing it by 1. After choosing one of these actions, you must then move one of your dice. The distance of this move is exactly the value shown on the die. You can change direction mid-move, but you can't land on the same space twice and can only move through empty spaces. If the die's path crosses a space adjacent to a Terminator, its value is adjusted as described earlier. If your die's move ends exactly on an opponent's die, you can displace it, choosing its new location while your opponent picks its new value. If you manage to move your die to a bath space that exactly matches its value, you earn a reward token. The first player to collect four out of the seven available tokens is crowned the supreme Balneator and wins the game!

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
Balneator is exclusively designed for two players.

### How long does a game take?
Games are quite fast, typically lasting around 25 minutes.

### What is the game's complexity?
The complexity is very low, with easy-to-learn rules. It's rated 1 out of 5 on the BGG weight scale.

### What are the main components?
The game includes 6 dice (3 of each color), 2 pawns (Therminators), and 7 reward tokens.

### Who is this game recommended for?
It's ideal for couples or friends who enjoy abstract two-player games with a touch of luck and quick strategy.

### Is the Roman theme prominent?
The Roman bath theme serves more as a backdrop for the abstract mechanics. The gameplay is the main focus.