# Thunderstone: Avatars

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2012
- **BGG Rating**: 6.9
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 60-90 min
- **Weight**: 2.36 / 5
- **Designers**: Edward Bolme, Mark Wootton, Mike Elliott
- **Artists**: Jason Engle, Kali Fitzgerald
- **Publishers**: Alderac Entertainment Group, Pegasus Spiele, Wargames Club Publishing
- **Categories**: Card Game, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy
- **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Hand Management, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
Thunderstone Avatars is that expansion every fan of the series will want to have in their collection. If you enjoy a fantasy-themed deck-builder and are looking for more strategic depth and replayability, this is your chance. The variable player powers transform the experience, making each game unique and encouraging the experimentation of different tactics. It's a "must-have" for anyone who already loves Thunderstone and wants to inject new life into their adventures!Variable player powersBoosts replayabilityNew strategiesCompact expansionRequires base gameFew new cardsHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
If you're a Thunderstone fan and have always wanted to spice up your games, Thunderstone Avatars is the way to go! This compact yet powerful expansion introduces a game-changing feature: variable player powers. Forget the monotony of always starting the same; now, each avatar grants you a unique ability that will guide your choices and strategies from the very first turn. There are 25 cards in total, five copies of five different avatars, ensuring you have plenty of variety to experiment with and discover which playstyle suits you best. Imagine having a Cleric who helps you draw extra cards when diseases are rampant, or a Fighter whose weapons weigh less, making it easier to equip them. How about a Thief who buys items cheaper or a Wizard who gains a magic attack bonus when using spells? Each avatar offers a distinct advantage, whether in the village, the dungeon, or both locations, encouraging the exploration of new tactics and combos. With the Ranger, for example, you can manipulate the position of monsters in the dungeon hall, opening up new attack possibilities. This expansion is perfect for those seeking more replayability and wanting to feel that each game is unique, with players developing asymmetric strategies. It's an invitation to dive even deeper into the Thunderstone universe, adding a fun and unpredictable strategic layer.

## FAQ
### What does Thunderstone Avatars add to the base game?
It introduces variable player powers through 25 cards (five copies of five different avatars), granting unique abilities to each participant during the game.

### Do I need the Thunderstone base game to play this expansion?
Yes, Thunderstone Avatars is an expansion and requires one of the Thunderstone base games to be played.

### How do the avatar powers work?
Each avatar grants a special ability that can be used in the village or dungeon, affecting actions such as card drawing, combat, equipment management, or monster manipulation.

### Does this expansion increase the game's complexity?
It adds a strategic layer of asymmetry, but the avatar rules are straightforward and easy to integrate, without significantly increasing the overall game complexity.

### How many players can use the avatars?
Like the Thunderstone base game, the expansion supports 1 to 5 players, with each player able to choose an avatar for their game.

### Are the avatars balanced against each other?
Yes, they were developed to offer distinct advantages and varied strategies, aiming for a balance that encourages different gameplay approaches.