# Vela

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 8.5
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-6
- **Duration**: 90-120 min
- **Weight**: 2.00 / 5
- **Designers**: Felipe Galery, Gabriel Santana
- **Artists**: Débora Mini, Deise Lino
- **Publishers**: Galbs Games
- **Categories**: Card Game, Exploration
- **Mechanics**: Grid Movement, Hand Management, Map Reduction

## Verdict
Vela is that game that hooks you with its mining theme and delivers a surprisingly tactical and twist-filled experience. If you enjoy a dose of luck and a pinch of strategic chaos, with the thrill of never knowing what's coming next in your excavation, you'll have a blast. It's a race for the diamond, but victory can come in many forms, making each game unique and exciting.3D board explorationFun and controlled chaosConstant tactical decisionsModular componentsExciting diamond huntCan be overly luckyIntense direct interactionInitial learning curveRECOMMENDED

## Description
In Vela, you take control of a group of fearless miners in 18th-century Minas Gerais, Brazil, with the mission of extracting the maximum amount of precious metals and rare stones from a newly discovered mine. The grand prize? The legendary diamond! The board is a modular and three-dimensional marvel, with a 5x5 base that accommodates 150 stacked tiles, creating a dynamic and surprising landscape. Each player starts with three meeples and, on their turn, can perform three crucial actions: move up to two spaces, respecting a height limit of two tiles to ascend or descend; use or draw up to two equipment cards; and the main action, which is to mine the tile directly below one of your miners. When mining, you reveal a tile that can be a valuable gem, an unexpected natural disaster, or even a dangerous monster, such as the Caboclo d'Água or the Invisible Hand. All effects are resolved immediately, adding a layer of unpredictability to your exploration. There are three types of tiles, ranging from lighter, superficial colors with fewer dangers and riches, to darker, deeper ones where the risks are greater but so are the rewards, including the coveted diamond. The game ends as soon as any player finds the diamond, and then points are counted. Although the diamond is worth many points, it does not guarantee victory, so the strategy of collecting other precious items is fundamental. To aid your journey, an equipment deck offers tools like bridges and ladders to expand your movement options, and dynamites to speed up mining, but with an added touch of danger. Get ready for a chaotic and fun adventure in the depths of the mine!

## FAQ
### Who is Vela for?
It's perfect for those who enjoy exploration games with a touch of luck and plenty of interaction. If you like uncovering secrets on the board and don't mind a bit of strategic chaos, you'll love it!

### What's the average game duration?
A game of Vela usually lasts between 90 and 120 minutes, making it ideal for a more complete gaming session with friends or family.

### How many players can participate?
Vela can be played by 2 to 6 players, which makes it quite flexible for different group sizes.

### Is it a complex game to learn?
With a BGG weight of 2/5, Vela is considered a low-to-medium complexity game. The rules are easy to pick up, but strategic depth emerges with practice and player interaction.

### Are the components good quality?
Yes, the game features a modular and three-dimensional board, plus 150 mining tiles and meeples, providing a very immersive visual and tactile experience.

### Does luck play a very big role in the game?
Luck is present in revealing mine tiles, but hand management and tactical decisions about where and when to mine are crucial. It's a balance between luck and strategy that keeps the game exciting.

### Does finding the diamond guarantee victory?
Not necessarily! Although the diamond is worth many points, the player with the highest total score, combining all precious items, wins. Focusing solely on the diamond can be risky!