Strain
2011
BGG Geek Rating
5.5
based on 179 ratings
BGG Average Rating
5.5
community average
BGG Ranking
#25560
all board games
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Players
3-7
Weight
2.19/5.00
Playtime
60 min
Age
10+
⚙️ Game Mechanics
How this game works - core systems and player actions
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🎨 Artists
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📖 About This Game
Strain is a game of competitive bioengineering. 3 to 7 players race to create microorganisms by placing Organelles and Cytoplasm around their Organism tiles. Players battle each other by deploying Toxin attacks and placing Virus tiles on opponents.
Game Play:
A players turn consists of three phases:
(1) Activate Dormant tiles & Draw 3 tiles into hand
(2) Build up your Organisms by playing tiles & Attacking others
(3) Score Organisms & Discard all but 4 tiles
Strategic tension and timing come from the need to use your Organisms tiles to make ATP (the currency of the game) or Toxin (the ability to attack) causing your organism to lose resistance and become more vulnerable. Dealing with this delicate balance of weakening to become stronger is key to the game. Game play is quick and easy-to-learn.
Object of the Game
The first player to complete 12 victory points by completing and scoring their microorganisms wins the game.