# The Fool's Journey

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2016
- **BGG Rating**: 7.5
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1 (Best with: 1)
- **Duration**: 30 min
- **Weight**: 1.33 / 5
- **Designers**: Desmond Meraz
- **Publishers**: (Self-Published)
- **Categories**: Adventure, Card Game, Print & Play
- **Mechanics**: Open Drafting, Solo / Solitaire Game

## Verdict
If you love mystical solitaire, The Fool's Journey will surprise you.Engaging gameplayUnique tarot componentsDeep solo challengeShort playtimeSomewhat complex rulesHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
The Fool’s Journey is a solitaire card game played with a standard 78-card Tarot deck. The Fool, the central character, embarks on a quest where he must gain wisdom, take risks, and overcome challenges with the help of mysterious helpers. The 78 cards are divided into three main categories: challenge cards (Trumps), wisdom cards (Coins), and strength cards (Batons), along with will cards (Swords), vitality cards (Cups), chance cards (Aces), and helper cards (Royals). Each round starts with a set of four cards, of which the player must play three to progress, leaving the fourth as the base for the next adventure.

The "Open Drafting" mechanic comes into play when the player selects cards from an open pool, allowing them to tailor their strategy each game. Will cards can be equipped to neutralize individual challenges, while strength cards allow facing multiple obstacles, draining the Fool’s vitality. When vitality reaches zero, the game ends. If the player overcomes all challenges, they complete the journey successfully.

Additionally, wisdom cards double the value of vitality, strength, or will cards, creating opportunities for twists. Chance cards allow a full reshuffle of adventure cards, restarting the journey, adding an element of unpredictability.

The game was inspired by thematic solitaire games such as Scoundrel, Donsol, and Card Crawl, as well as Joseph Campbell’s monomyth concept. It was created for the 2016 "Solitaire Print & Play" contest, offering a deep solo experience that blends Tarot symbolism with traditional patience logic.

For card lovers who enjoy mystical narratives and strategic challenges, The Fool’s Journey offers a unique experience, with rules that demand focus and planning. Though the playtime is short, the depth of decisions makes each session memorable.

## FAQ
### How many players?
The game is designed for a single player. It’s a solo patience experience.

### What is the playtime?
The average playtime is around 30 minutes, depending on your strategy.

### How difficult is it?
Difficulty ranges from moderate to high, requiring planning and strategic card use.

### What components are needed?
A standard 78‑card Tarot deck. No extra pieces.

### Who is this game for?
Ideal for card lovers, Tarot enthusiasts, and fans of mystical narratives and patience challenges.

### How does the 'Open Drafting' mechanic work?
You select cards from an open pool, allowing you to tailor your strategy each game.