# K2: The Avalanche ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2012 - **BGG Rating**: 7.0 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 30-60 min - **Weight**: 2.30 / 5 - **Designers**: Adam Kałuża - **Artists**: Jarek Nocoń - **Publishers**: Rebel Sp. z o.o., Ediciones MasQueOca, Rebel Studio - **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Sports - **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Player Elimination, Point to Point Movement, Simultaneous Action Selection ## Verdict If you're already climbing K2 and want more excitement and danger, this expansion is for you! It adds a "uh oh, we're in trouble" element that will test your luck and strategy.More unpredictable and tense weatherAdds dramatic twistsIntensifies resource managementExtra challenge for veteransCan eliminate players earlyIncreases randomnessRequires the base gameFOR GENRE FANS ## Description Get ready for an extra challenge on your K2 ascent! "K2: The Avalanche" isn't just another card pack; it's an invitation to face the wildest side of the mountain. This expansion introduces four new weather cards that will make your climb even more intense, with challenging meteorological conditions. And the main villain? An avalanche icon that can completely change the game! When the snow starts to fall, anyone not safely sheltered in their tent will have to take a step back, literally. This means you might lose precious ground in your race to the summit, or worse, be forced to descend back down. Hand management becomes even more crucial, as every decision counts towards taking shelter or advancing. Simultaneous action selection gets an extra dose of adrenaline, as you need to anticipate not only your moves but also how the weather and other climbers will react. It's an opportunity to add another layer of challenge for those who have already mastered the base game and want to feel a true chill down their spine. If you enjoy the idea of dealing with unexpected events and twists that send you tumbling down, this expansion is for you. It intensifies the sense of danger and the need for strategic planning, making each game a new adventure against the elements and opponents. It's for those who like to feel the pressure and emerge victorious from extreme situations! ## How to Play Game Objective Refer to the manual for details on this section. Preparation (Setup) Shuffle the 6 basic weather tokens (summer or winter, depending on the chosen difficulty). Remove 2 of them, chosen at random (return them to the game box without looking). Add the 2 avalanche tiles and shuffle the tiles again. The first two tiles are revealed as usual in the game. Game Flow The effect of the avalanche is calculated at the same time and in the same way as the rest of the weather tokens, i.e., in the Acclimatization phase. The calculation takes into account the altitude at which the avalanche occurs. Increases in movement cost (which only occur on winter weather tokens) are applied during the Action Phase. Acclimatization is resolved at the location where the climber is after finishing their movement and before suffering the possible effects of the avalanche, and not where the climber falls after the avalanche occurs. If the mountaineer is present at the altitude where the avalanche occurs, it will be resolved as follows: A) If the mountaineer is protected by a tent, they will lose 1 acclimatization point and remain where they are. B) If the mountaineer is in the open field, they will also lose 1 acclimatization point, but will also be dragged by the avalanche and fall into the space below the one they are in. If there is more than one space below, the player decides which space the mountaineer will be dragged to. It is possible that after the avalanche the maximum number of mountaineers in a space is exceeded; this is a valid exception to what is indicated in the rules. The presence of tents does not prevent the loss of acclimatization points, only the fall caused by the avalanche. To avoid suspicion, it is correct to carry out the falls produced by the avalanche according to the players' turn order. Actions and How to Play Refer to the manual for details on this section. End of Game and Scoring Refer to the manual for details on this section. Tips for Winning The game can be made easier by adding (randomly) only 1 avalanche tile during setup. ## FAQ ### Does this expansion significantly change K2's rules? It adds a dangerous weather element with avalanches, which can force players to retreat. It changes the dynamic but not the core gameplay. ### Do I need the base game K2 to play with this expansion? Absolutely! "K2: The Avalanche" is an expansion and requires the original K2 game to be used. ### Does the expansion make the game harder? Yes, it adds an extra layer of challenge and unpredictability. Dealing with avalanches requires planning and can be quite tense! ### Can I play K2: The Avalanche solo? Yes, the base game K2 already has solo rules, and this expansion adds another element to make the solo experience even more challenging. ### How much time does it add to the game? It doesn't add much playtime, but it can change the course of the game and require more careful decision-making. ### Is player elimination common with this expansion? There is a possibility of player elimination if they don't take shelter in time during an avalanche. It's a risk to consider. ### Is it a large or small expansion? It's considered a small expansion, primarily focused on the new weather cards and the avalanche event. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 4.44 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4785010&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/9028/k2-the-avalanche?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com