# Copycat

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2012
- **BGG Rating**: 6.7
- **BGG Rank**: #2722
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 95 min
- **Weight**: 2.71 / 5
- **Designers**: Friedemann Friese
- **Artists**: Harald Lieske
- **Publishers**: 2F-Spiele, (Web published), 999 Games, Arclight Games, Korea Boardgames, Rio Grande Games
- **Categories**: Card Game, Political
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Auction: Dutch, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Hand Management, Turn Order: Auction, Worker Placement

## Verdict
If you enjoy a game that cleverly blends established mechanics with a fun political theme, Copycat might be your next addiction. It's an electoral race full of strategy and important decisions!Well-integrated mechanicsEngaging political themeStrategic deck-buildingDynamic worker placementInteresting turn auctionCan be a bit longInitial learning curveIndirect interactionRECOMMENDED

## Description
In Copycat, the concept is quite fun: taking bits and pieces from well-known games and blending them to create something new! You step into the shoes of an ambitious politician, striving to accumulate enough money and influence to become the next president. But, of course, no one gets there alone, so you'll need the help of others to climb the ladder. The game kicks off with an initial deck of ten cards, with seven of them being 'fatherly friends' that grant you money and three that provide influence points (your VPs).Each round, you draw five cards from your deck and use one of them to determine turn order, a Dutch auction that makes you think on your feet. Then, it's time to allocate your workers to various government building offices. There, you can purchase new cards, gain more influence, or perform other strategic actions. Each round, an extra action space appears, expanding your options and intensifying the competition. On the game board, there's a row of cards available for purchase, which are refilled from a deck divided into four different 'Ages,' ensuring the market is always evolving. The last cards in this deck are the coveted Doctoral degrees, which you can buy with your money and are worth one victory point for each unit of money spent. The presidential race ends when all Doctoral degrees are bought or when a player reaches 95 or more victory points. It's a game that blends deck-building, worker placement, and a touch of auction, all with a clever political theme!

## FAQ
### How long does a typical game of Copycat last?
A game of Copycat usually takes about 95 minutes. It's a decent amount of time for a game that makes you think about every move and plan your political strategy.

### How many players can play Copycat?
Copycat is designed for 2 to 4 players. It scales well with different player counts, but the dynamic of competing for action spaces and cards shifts slightly depending on the number of participants.

### What is the complexity level of Copycat?
With a BGG weight of 2.71/5, Copycat is considered a medium-complexity game. It features several interconnected mechanics, so it requires a bit of attention in the first few plays, but nothing an experienced gamer can't handle.

### Is Copycat a good game for newcomers to the hobby?
For beginners, it might be challenging, but rewarding! If you've played a few board games and want to step up in complexity, Copycat is a great choice. For absolute beginners, it might be better to start with something lighter and then dive into this one.

### What components are included in the Copycat box?
While I don't have the exact component list, you can expect many cards (for the starting deck, ages, and doctoral degrees), worker pawns, a main board with action spaces, and likely tokens for money and victory points. It's a game with plenty of material!

### What is the main objective in Copycat?
Your main goal is to accumulate money and influence to become the next president! This translates to scoring 95 or more victory points, or ensuring you are the most influential when all Doctoral cards have been purchased.

## Price Comparison
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