Pacts
Pacts at your next game night?
Add Pacts to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Ben Brin
- Publisher DVC Games
- Illustration Gwenevere Singley
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You command one of two fae courts (Seelie or Unseelie) and contest influence across six regions. Each round, cards are split: one player divides possible actions into two piles, the other chooses which pile each receives (I Cut, You Choose). You place, move, and remove influence to secure majorities; scoring occurs after rounds three and six. Games are short and tactical.
Who Is This Game For?
Pacts is aimed at players who enjoy focused two-player tactical duels and asymmetry. With a playtime of about 20 minutes and a suggested age of 10+, it fits as a compact game for enthusiasts; some familiarity with area control mechanics is useful but not required.
How It Works
Core mechanics include Area Majority / Influence and Area Movement: players vie for control of regions by adjusting influence. Variable Set-up and Variable Player Powers grant each side different starting conditions or allies. The card-driven I Cut, You Choose method creates tension as one player divides actions and the other allocates them, fueling tactical interaction.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Ben Brin, Pacts blends Celtic mythology with asymmetric two-player conflict and a distinctive I Cut, You Choose card split. It achieves dense tactical decisions within a short 20-minute playtime through variable setup and asymmetric powers.
Pro
- Short playtime (~20 minutes) for quick duels
- High player interaction via I Cut, You Choose and direct influence battles
- Asymmetry through Variable Player Powers increases replayability
- Strong thematic framing in Celtic mythology
Contra
- Strictly a two-player design—no larger-group play
- Tactical density may be challenging for casual players at first
Setting & atmosphere
Set in a Celtic-mythology inspired isle, players represent fae courts and command mythic creatures like dragons, banshees, and selkies to contest sacred regions.
Tips for beginners
Focus on mastering the I Cut, You Choose card-splitting and how influence shifts across regions; short games let you iterate quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. Pacts is designed specifically for two players.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 20 minutes; even with explanations, sessions remain brief.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with area-control or asymmetric mechanics helps, but the game’s brevity eases learning.
How does this compare to similar games?
Pacts pairs area-majority territory control with an I Cut, You Choose card mechanism and asymmetric player powers for a distinct two-player duel.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 10 it can work for families, though the tactical focus leans toward enthusiasts.
What mechanic makes it special?
The I Cut, You Choose card-splitting combined with Area Majority and Variable Player Powers defines the game’s character.
Fazit
Pacts is a tight two-player tactical experience for fans of area-majority duels. Recommended if you want compact, interactive head-to-head play with a mythic theme.
Pacts at your next game night?
Add Pacts to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Pacts to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
