7 Wonders Duel Board Game

In many ways 7 Wonders: Duel resembles its parent game 7 Wonders as over three ages players acquire cards that provide resources or advance their military or scientific development in order to develop a civilization and complete wonders. What's different about 7 Wonders: Duel is that, as the title suggests, the game is solely for two players, with the players not drafting card simultaneously from hands of cards, but from a display of face-down and face-up cards arranged at the start of a round.

A player can take a card only if it's not covered by any others, so timing comes into play as well as bonus moves that allow you to take a second card immediately. As in the original game, each card that you acquire can be built, discarded for three coins, or used to construct a wonder. Each player starts with four wonder cards, and the construction of a wonder provides its owner with a special ability. Only seven wonders can be built, though, so one player will end up short.

Players can purchase resources at any time from the bank, or they can gain cards during the game that provide them with resources for future building; as you acquire resources, the cost for those particular resources increases for your opponent, representing your dominance in this area. A player can win 7 Wonders: Duel in one of three ways. Each time that you acquire a military card, you advance the military marker toward your opponent's capital, giving you a bonus at certain positions. If you reach the opponent's capital, you win the game immediately. Similarly, if you acquire all six different scientific symbols, you achieve scientific dominance and win immediately. If neither of these situations occurs, then the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Awards and Honours

2015 Board Game Quest Awards Best Card Game Nominee
2015 Board Game Quest Awards Best Card Game Winner
2015 Golden Geek Best 2-Player Board Game Nominee
2015 Golden Geek Best 2-Player Board Game Winner
2015 Golden Geek Best Card Game Nominee
2015 Golden Geek Best Card Game Winner
2015 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee
2015 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee
2015 Jocul Anului în România Beginners Finalist
2015 Jocul Anului în România Beginners Winner
2015 Meeples' Choice Nominee
2015 Swiss Gamers Award Winner
2015 Tric Trac d'Or Winner
2015 Tric Trac Nominee
2016 As d'Or - Jeu de l'Année Expert Nominee
2016 Fairplay À la carte Winner
2016 Gioco dell’Anno Nominee
2016 Gra Roku Advanced Game of the Year Nominee
2016 International Gamers Award - General Strategy: Two-players Nominee
2016 International Gamers Award - General Strategy: Two-players Winner
2016 Juego del Año Recommended
2016 Kennerspiel des Jahres Recommended
2016 Lys Passioné Finalist
2017 Hra roku Winner

Board Game Contents:

• 1 Game board
• 23 Age I Cards
• 23 Age II Cards
• 20 Age III Cards
• 7 Guild Cards
• 12 Wonder Cards
• 4 Military Tokens
• 10 Progress Tokens
• 1 Conflict pawn
• 31 Coins
• 1 Score book
• 1 Rule book
• 1 Help Sheet

Upgrades and Expansions:

The following expansions are available for 7 Wonders Duel:

• 7 Wonders Duel Agora
• 7 Wonders Duel Pantheon
• 7 Wonders Duel Solo

Our Review and Recommendation:

One of the best strategy well played games designed specifically for 2 players. 7 Wonders of duel plays really well, with a mixture of card selection blocking, and different strategies to build out points, lead military or gain scientific achievements to improve your benefits. Don't let your opponent get the upper hand watch the military strength, its easy to be complacent with dire consequences!

We have played this game a lot. Whilst it hasn't hit the table recently, it is a highly recommended 2 player game from us. Its a game I'd easily throw in the travel bag when going on a holiday.

We would rate this game an 8 / 10. High replay ability, shorter game length, fast turns, with good strategy.