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The Barrage: Duel expansion includes a new map specifically designed for 2-player games and the Duel board, which provides a new mechanic that enhances the 2-player games experience.
Barrage Duel can be played in two ways: you can simply use the new map to have more competition in 2-player challenges, or you can use the Duel board along with the other additional components. This last option changes the rules of the game!
The new map has fewer basins, and some building spaces will cost more. These spaces will change from game to game, always creating variety in this map.
The Duel board adds three conditions on which to compete with your opponent, different in each game. At the end of each round, the player who best satisfies a condition will move the relative marker to their side. Mark the opponent tightly on each condition; otherwise, they will get decisive advantages!
You need the base game Barrage to be able to use it. You can also use the Barrage: Leeghwater Project expansion in combination with this expansion.
—description from the rulebook
- Tight two-player experience that tightens the puzzle
- Integrated mechanics that feel natural rather than tacked-on
- Can be punishing if you fall behind early
- Water resource management and dam/building optimization
- Hydro-electric power generation race
- tight, aggressive two-player puzzle with competition for scarce water
- Barrage (base game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Resource Management — Resources cycle and return later; planning for later returns.
- resource wheel / timing — Resources cycle and return later; planning for later returns.
- Tug of War — End-of-round scoring in three categories; leading category grants bonuses.
- Tug-of-war scoring — End-of-round scoring in three categories; leading category grants bonuses.
- two-player map puzzle — Tight, differently scaled board each game; dynamic placement of dams and conduits.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I think this might be the best brass yet.
- it's not extremely heavy. I would say it's not one of Lord's heaviest games.
- the theme works so well that it adds to the gameplay for me.
- this is better than normal barrage like a normal four player even brush. The two-player one was really tight.
- the no glare board is a really cool upgrade they offer.