# The Banishing

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2017
- **BGG Rating**: 6.9
- **BGG Rank**: #7047
- **Players**: 3-5 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 2.38 / 5
- **Designers**: Sean Rumble
- **Artists**: John Camacho, Michael Phillippi
- **Publishers**: WizKids (I)
- **Categories**: Card Game, Fantasy, Horror
- **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Hand Management, Open Drafting, Set Collection, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
The Banishing is a tense, straightforward cooperative game perfect for those who enjoy managing resources under pressure. The dynamic of protecting allies while building the ritual creates moments of genuine cooperation and lively table talk. It is a quick experience, ideal for groups who enjoy a dark theme without sacrificing tight card mechanics.Well-integrated cooperative mechanicsEngaging dark fantasy themeFast and dynamic gameplayRequires constant player communicationCan be punishing if communication failsSome reliance on card draw luckRECOMMENDED

## Description
If you enjoy a cooperative challenge where the tension rises with every round, The Banishing is an intriguing choice. Here, the world is on the brink of collapse: a dark void has opened, and hordes of undead—vampires, werewolves, and zombies—are attempting to invade our reality. You take on the role of guardians, the only ones capable of sealing this portal and preventing the end of everything. The catch? The longer you take to complete the ritual, the more powerful these creatures become, creating a race against time that requires perfect synchronization among the group.

The core mechanic revolves around collecting cards from the 'Void' to form specific melds. You cannot just grab any card; you need a strategy to form the right combinations that allow you to cast spells and special effects. These spells are your only weapon to banish the threats back into the abyss. But, as in every good cooperative game, it is not just about your turn. You will need to manage your hand intelligently, deciding when to spend your resources to attack and when to save something to heal or protect an ally in trouble. Communication is key: if one player focuses only on themselves, the group will quickly be overwhelmed by the growing horde.

The game shines through its technical simplicity, keeping the focus on cooperation and resource management. It is a quick experience, ideal for those who enjoy card games with a dark fantasy theme but do not want to spend hours reading complex rulebooks. The open drafting dynamic allows you to see what is available, but it requires the group to constantly discuss: 'who needs which card right now?'. It is a constant test of priorities. If you like games where defeat always feels like it is lurking around the corner and every decision to heal or attack could be the difference between the success of the ritual and total destruction, The Banishing offers exactly that dose of adrenaline. Prepare the deck, protect your companions, and do not let the portal consume everything we know.

## FAQ
### How long does a game of The Banishing take?
Games are quite fast, usually lasting around 45 minutes.

### How many players is this game for?
The game is designed for groups of 3 to 5 players.

### Is the game very complex?
No, with a weight of 2.37/5, it is considered a light-to-medium complexity game, easy to pick up.

### Can I play it solo?
No, the game is specifically designed as a group cooperative experience for 3 to 5 players.

### What is the main objective?
The goal is to collect cards from the 'Void' to form melds and perform the banishing ritual before the undead overwhelm everything.

### Is there a lot of player interaction?
Yes, cooperation is essential. You must constantly help and heal your allies to succeed.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 20.09 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1386769&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
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