# Puzzle Strike: Third Edition

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2012
- **BGG Rating**: 7.2
- **BGG Rank**: #2211
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 20 min
- **Weight**: 2.72 / 5
- **Designers**: David Sirlin
- **Artists**: Long Vo
- **Publishers**: Sirlin Games, Pegasus Spiele
- **Categories**: Card Game, Fantasy, Video Game Theme
- **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Hand Management, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
Who loves fast strategy and video‑game combos will love this!Live deck‑buildingComeback mechanicCharacter varietyHigh‑quality componentsModerate complexityLearning curvePortuguese limitedWITH CAVEATS

## Description
Puzzle Strike: Third Edition brings the addictive feel of classic puzzle‑video‑games straight to the tabletop, but with a card‑game twist you’ll already love. Instead of paper decks, the game uses colorful cardboard chips that you toss into a bag and shake to shuffle – no card‑hand‑tossing required. The core mechanic is live deck‑building: as you play you pick and upgrade your “bag” of chips, creating combos that can swing the game in your favor. Each match starts with a different set of chips, and with 10 unique characters in the base set the number of possible starting conditions in a 4‑player game tops 411 million – meaning no two games ever feel the same.

The game blends hand‑management, deck‑building, and variable player powers. Every hero has abilities that change how you play and what strategy you’ll use, and the built‑in “comeback” mechanic lets a player on the brink of losing fire even stronger combos. All of this is balanced by David Sirlin – the same designer behind “Puzzle Fighter HD Remix” and “Street Fighter HD Remix” – so the game is fun for newcomers yet competitive for veterans.

The third edition adds several polish upgrades: reinforced “Panic Time” to keep games from dragging, non‑elimination modes for 3‑ and 4‑player play, a 2‑v‑2 team‑battle mode, and a “Custom Clockwork” mode where you can craft your own character. Puzzle and character chips were updated to keep tournament play healthy, and the game now comes with board tiles and privacy screens, making it easier to play in noisy or party environments. If you love games that mix strategy, speed, and a dash of video‑game nostalgia, Puzzle Strike will surprise you.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 4 players.

### How long does a game last?
About 20 minutes.

### What is the complexity level?
Moderate – easy to learn but deep strategically.

### What components come with the game?
Cardboard chips, a bag for shuffling, board tiles, privacy screens, and rulebook.

### Is the game good for beginners?
Yes, it’s accessible but also offers depth for experienced players.

### How do you shuffle the chips?
Put all chips in the bag and shake well before each round.

### Is there an expansion?
Yes, the Fantasy Strike expansion adds more characters and chips.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 56.18 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1664474&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
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