# Treasure Hunter ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2001 - **BGG Rating**: 4.0 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 - **Duration**: — - **Weight**: 2.00 / 5 - **Designers**: Lloyd Krassner - **Publishers**: Warp Spawn Games - **Categories**: Adventure, Card Game, Fantasy, Medieval, Print & Play - **Mechanics**: Hand Management ## Verdict A fast-paced, thematic card duel for fans of classic RPG adventures.Fast gameplay paceEngaging adventure themeFun card-passing mechanicEasy to pick upHeavy reliance on deck luckMight feel too short for someRECOMMENDED ## Description Lace up your boots and sharpen your sword, because the treasure hunt is on! In Treasure Hunter, you aren't just a lone adventurer, but part of a fierce competition between parties aiming to leave with pockets full of coins and relics. The game is driven by a massive deck of over 140 cards, ensuring every session has that unpredictable flavor we all crave. You'll deal with everything a great RPG offers: heroes to build your party, powerful spells, magic items, dangerous locations, and of course, those guardians and traps that love to ruin the fun for the careless. The gameplay is a delicious mix of strategy and that 'gut feeling' of risking it all. The game operates in rounds (or seasons), where the real secret lies in how you manage your hand. There's a card-passing mechanic involved, meaning you need to keep a close eye on what your opponents are receiving. It's a game of reading the table and timing: you want to go after the treasures appearing on the board, but you must be certain your crew has the strength to face the dangers lurking nearby. If you play too many cards, you might run out of resources; if you play too few, you might miss a golden opportunity. The goal is simple but execution requires wit: once the deck has cycled once, the player with the most treasure points wins. It's fast, dynamic, and perfect for fans of classic adventure card games who want depth without a 50-page rulebook. ## How to Play Game Objective In Treasure Hunter, players take on the role of treasure hunters in search of legendary treasures in three locations: the Snowy Mountains, the Entangled Jungle, and the Lava Cave. The objective is to capture treasures, defend against goblins, and accumulate the most coins and treasures over 5 rounds. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner. Preparation (Setup) Assemble the board and place it in the center of the playing area. It shows the round track and the three treasure hunting locations. Shuffle the cards and place them face down as the game deck. Separate the coins by value and place them next to the board as a general supply, along with the gems. Deal 15 coins to each player. Place the round marker on the starting space of the round track. Shuffle the goblin tiles and reveal 3, placing one in each goblin space. Shuffle the treasure tiles and separate them into two piles: hard-to-find treasures and easy-to-find treasures. Reveal 3 from each pile and place them in the corresponding spaces. Randomly choose who will deal the cards. Game Flow The game is played over 5 rounds, each consisting of 3 phases: Build your hand: Each player receives 9 cards and chooses one to keep, passing the rest to their neighbor. Play your cards: Players compete to capture treasures, defend against goblins, and receive coins. Use your yellow magic scrolls and prepare for the next round: Players can use scrolls to gain coins and prepare the game for the next round. Actions and How to Play Capture Treasures Players place their adventurer cards from the current location face up and sum the total strength. The player with the highest total captures the hard-to-find treasure, and the one with the lowest total captures the easy-to-find treasure. In case of a tie, the player with the highest value card wins. Drive Away Goblins Players sum the attack quality of their guard dogs and compare it to the goblins' attack. If the attack is sufficient, the goblin is driven away. Otherwise, the player loses coins. Receive Coins Players receive coins according to their coin cards. Use Yellow Magic Scrolls Players can use yellow scrolls to gain coins, following the indicated requirements. End of Game and Scoring After the 5th round, players calculate their score by summing: The total coin value of gray magic scrolls. The total coin value of artifacts. The total coin value of collected goblin tiles. The total value of coins and gems. The player with the highest total is the winner. In case of a tie, players share the victory. Tips for Winning Prioritize capturing hard-to-find treasures, as they generally worth more points. Use your action cards strategically to increase your total strength or decrease that of your opponents. Keep enough guard dogs to drive away goblins and avoid losing coins. ## FAQ ### How long does a game last? The game is very dynamic and fast, ideal for short sessions of 20 to 30 minutes. ### Is it hard to learn? Not at all! The rules are intuitive, focusing on hand management and deciding when to strike. ### How many players can play? It works great for 1 to 4 players, making it perfect for small groups. ### Is it very complex? It has a light weight (2/5), so it's a perfect gateway game for those wanting strategy without the headache. ### What do I need to play? The game is deck-based, so the focus is entirely on managing your cards, heroes, and items. ### Is it suitable for kids? Yes, due to the simple rules and adventure theme, older children usually enjoy it a lot.