Smash Up Board Game

By: Alderac Entertainment Group    Players: 2-4     Ages: 12+     Time: 45 mins

Command a fleet of Pirate-Dinosaurs and trample the stealthy Alien-Ninjas to take over their base.

Smash Up is the game where players take two 20-card decks, shuffle them into a deck of forty cards, then compete to crush more Bases than everyone else.

Each deck is made up of a different faction and combing decks results in all kinds of insane combinations and unique strategies. Read our Smash Up board game review to see how combining factions creates endless strategic fun for players.

What Is Smash Up? Two Factions Explained

Smash Up is a shufflebuilding card game created by Paul Peterson and released by Alderac Entertainment Group in 2012. The game’s gimmick focuses on players choosing two decks, each representing a unique faction, and melding them together to create a forty-card deck made up of the two. This results in all kinds of whacky and weird combinations and adds a huge level of replay value. The base game consists of pirates, ninjas, zombies, robots, dinosaurs, wizards, tricksters, and aliens. Each of these has its own unique strategy and understanding how you can synergise the two with the make-shift deck makes all the difference between winning and losing. Players strategically use playing cards, including minion and action cards, to execute their plans and outmaneuver opponents.

Players will use these decks to gain control of base cards that are placed in the middle of the play area. Controlling bases results in gaining victory points and accumulating fifteen will lead to victory, but this is easier said than done. Cards have unique and interesting effects that can turn the game upside down and change who is in control and gains the points.

Game Set-Up for Smash Up Players

Smash Up Board Game Set-up is quick and easy. Once each player has selected which two decks they want to take and has shuffled them together, they then take the base deck to decide the first bases up for grabs. Once shuffled, the bases are placed in the centre of the play area; one for each player plus one. Players then draw five cards from their decks to create their opening hand and the game can begin. Any cards not used during the initial setup are placed in the discard pile. The game offers a few tips on deciding which player goes first such as who was most recently abducted by an alien, bitten by a vampire, kissed by a princess, or eaten by an orc. Of course, if none of those apply, players can decide in their own way…

How To Play: Playing Cards

There are two types of cards in each of the game’s decks: minion cards and action cards. On a player’s turn, they can play a minion, action card, or one of each. Unlike some card games, there are no costs to playing these cards or complex rituals to bring them onto the board. Each card is free to play regardless of how powerful it is, it’s just up to the player to decide on when the appropriate time to bring it out is.

Action cards are simple: they list what a player or players must do when played. Some action cards are a ‘one and done’ and are discarded after they are used, whilst others will stay in play until an effect causes them to be discarded. Action cards can have a negative effect on an opponent and result in something like one of their minions being destroyed or moved to another base, but others may have a positive impact on the owner like one of their minions gaining extra power. They may also trigger at the start or end of a turn, or have an ongoing effect, so there are plenty of different kinds in each deck.

Each minion card has a power rating and most have an effect that activates when played. Like action cards, these effects could help the active player or hinder an opponent, but both minion and action cards all have a core strategy the owner must try and utilise in order to get the most out of that deck. Minions are always placed directly on bases and will stay there until it reaches its breaking point. At the end of a player’s turn, they can draw two cards from their deck, although the maximum hand size in Smash Up is ten.

Each base has several numbers on it, three in the centre, and one in the top left. The number in the top left is the base’s breaking point and this is the number players are trying to reach in order to score victory points. Once the combined power of all minions at that base reaches or exceeds the breaking point, the base can be scored. The three numbers in the centre indicate how many victory points each player receives, with the player with the most power gaining the number on the left, the second most power the number in the middle, and the third most power the number on the right. Sometimes it’s not the player who has the highest power that gains the most points though so players need to think carefully about their moves. Like all other cards, bases also have an effect that could potentially be ongoing or activate at a certain point in the game, including when it scores. Once resolved, the scoring base and all cards attached to it go into their discard piles and a new base is drawn from the deck.

The game will continue in this way until one player scores fifteen victory points and is declared the winner.

One of the great things about Smash-Up is, not only does the base game offer eight factions with plenty of combination options, but there are dozens of expansions to purchase, each with multiple factions to add even more variety and chaos to the game. This creates an endless sense of replayability both with the kinds of teams one can create, and the strategies they can adopt. Some of these factions are directly licensed IP’s like Marvel and Disney characters, whilst others look suspiciously familiar but for legal reasons aren’t associated with the original product. Either way, this is probably the only time you’ll see the Avengers and the Power Rangers te…sorry, the “Mega Troopers” team up!

The robot faction is particularly interesting due to its factory line efficiency, allowing robots to produce minions at an incredible speed. This rapid robots churn gives them a strategic advantage by quickly generating new minions. On the other hand, factions like Pirates are designed to keep opponents unbalanced, disrupting their strategies and making them more vulnerable during the match.

Factions and Deck-Building

Smash Up features a dazzling array of factions, each bringing its own unique abilities and playstyle to the table. Players can choose two factions to combine into a single deck, creating a unique 40-card powerhouse. The base game includes eight distinct factions: Pirates, Ninjas, Zombies, Robots, Dinosaurs, Wizards, Tricksters, and Aliens. Each faction is designed to be balanced, but some combinations can unleash stunning power that can turn the tide of the game.

When building a deck, players can select from a variety of faction decks, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The modular design of these faction decks allows for endless mix-and-match possibilities, letting players craft unique combinations that suit their strategy. The deck-building process is a crucial part of the game, as players must carefully choose the cards that will give them the most power and flexibility.

Some factions, like the Pirates and Ninjas, are more aggressive, focusing on direct attacks and swift maneuvers. Others, like the Zombies and Robots, are more defensive, with abilities that keep them in the game longer. The Wizards and Tricksters rely on arcane knowledge and cunning tactics, while the Dinosaurs and Aliens bring brute strength and stunning power to the battlefield. By combining two factions, players can create a deck that perfectly matches their playstyle and strategy, making each game of Smash Up a unique and thrilling experience.

Smash Up Players and Community

Smash Up boasts a vibrant and dedicated community of players who revel in the game’s unique blend of strategy and luck. Whether competing in local tournaments or engaging in online matches, players test their skills and deck-building prowess against one another. The Smash Up community is known for being friendly and welcoming, with many players eager to share their deck builds and strategies online.

One of the standout features of the Smash Up community is its competitive scene. Players compete fiercely in tournaments, each vying for the coveted title of champion. The competitive scene is intense, with players employing every trick in the book to outmaneuver their opponents and claim victory.

Despite the competitive nature of the game, the Smash Up community is also incredibly supportive and collaborative. Players frequently share their deck builds and strategies, helping each other refine their tactics and discover new combinations. The community is active on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where players share their experiences, discuss strategies, and celebrate their victories. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, the Smash Up community is a fantastic place to connect with fellow enthusiasts and hone your skills.

Expansions and Variations

Smash Up offers a treasure trove of expansions and variations, each adding new factions, mechanics, and gameplay elements to the base game. Some expansions, like the “Excellent Movies” expansion, introduce new factions and gameplay mechanics, while others, like the “Dudes!” expansion, add new cards and abilities to existing factions.

One of the most popular expansions is the “Pirate Aliens” expansion, which combines the swashbuckling adventure of pirates with the futuristic technology of aliens. This expansion is renowned for its stunning power and frightening efficiency, making it a favorite among players who enjoy aggressive deck builds.

Other expansions, such as the “Zombies Refuse” expansion, introduce new mechanics and gameplay elements that add even more depth to the game. This expansion features a new type of card that allows players to steal victories from their opponents, adding a fresh layer of strategy and complexity.

Overall, the expansions and variations of Smash Up provide a wealth of new gameplay elements and mechanics, allowing players to customize their experience and create innovative deck combinations. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, there’s always something new to discover in the ever-expanding world of Smash Up.

Final Verdict

Smash Up definitely comes highly recommended as it’s a game that’s easily accessible that both casual and hardcore gamers will enjoy thoroughly. With simple rules and a short set-up time, it’s easy for anyone to jump into and isn’t anywhere near as intimidating as other similar games. In fact, the decks being pre-made is a huge bonus as it saves time on constructing decks and coming up with a strategy for them. The game offers plenty of interesting factions with well-illustrated cards and mashing two decks together to see how the combos play out is always tons of fun. Without a doubt, a card game that everyone should try.   

Summary of the Base Game

• Quick to set up 

• Simple Gameplay

• Surprisingly deep strategy

• Immense amounts of replayability

• Hilarious cards 
  

If You Liked This: 

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Star Realms: A fast-paced deck-building game with spaceships battling each other in outer space. Utilising both deck building and card trading to create powerful fleets, it’s easy to learn and offers lots of variety in creating a deck. Whoever can reduce their opponents authority to 0 first in the winner.

Epic PVP Fantasy: A head-to-head battling card game. Each player takes two decks, one race and one class, to create an epic hero leading to unique strategies and tactics. Using different types of special cards to attack, whoever can reduce their opponent to zero health first wins.  

Blood  Bowl: Team Manager – The Card Game:   Lead your gang of misfits and miscreants to glory over your rivals to become Spike! Magazine’s Manager of the Year! Customize your team by drafting Star Players, hiring staff, upgrading facilities, and cheating like mad

Dice Throne: A game of intriguing dice, tactical card play, powerful heroes, and unique abilities. Playing as one of the unique heroes, accumulate combat points and spend them on cards that have a large range of effects, such as granting permanent hero upgrades, applying status effects, and manipulating dice directly.

Roll Player:  Compete to create the greatest fantasy adventurer who has ever lived, preparing your character to embark on an epic quest. Roll and draft dice to build up your character’s attributes. Purchase weapons and armor to outfit your hero. Train to gain skills and achieve the greatest reputation to win the game. 

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Smash Up FAQ