God of War: The Board Game Design Diary 4 – Skill Trees and How to Use Them – by Leo Almeida

Greetings, fellow gamers! I’m Leo Almeida, Game Designer behind some of CMON’s games, including the adaptation of God of War: The Board Game.

Today, I am thrilled to delve into one of the key mechanics that empowers players within the game: Skill Trees.

In the world of God of War: The Board Game, ascending the Synergy Track is pivotal (this is the theme of Fabio Cury’s Diary from last week, read it here if you haven’t yet!). As you progress along this track, you earn valuable upgrade trackers. These trackers serve as the way to unlock and advance your chosen skill trees, which significantly bolster your capabilities. At the outset of each game, players select two skill trees, laying the foundation for their journey towards victory in the scenario at hand.

Each character’s skill trees offer a diverse array of options tailored to various playstyles and preferences. Whether you favor a defensive approach with Kratos, seeking to master the art of blocking, or prefer an aggressive strategy focused on enhancing your offensive prowess or harnessing the raw power of Rage abilities, there’s a skill tree to suit every taste.

Strategic decision making comes into play as you determine when and where to allocate your upgrade trackers during the game. Selecting which skill trees to prioritize can significantly influence your trajectory through the challenges that await. It’s not just about individual enhancement, but also about synergizing your chosen skill trees to maximize their effectiveness. Whether amplifying each other’s strengths or compensating for weaknesses, the interplay between skill trees adds layers of depth to your strategic approach.

Each skill tree embodies a distinct theme, offering players the opportunity to tailor their abilities to align with their preferred gameplay style.

For instance, within Atreus’ Summon-focused skill tree, you initially invest in enhancing Ultimate Ability trackers generation, facilitating more frequent utilization of this formidable resource. As you progress, you may face the enticing choice between amplifying a single Summon ability to trigger multiple animal companions or bolstering the raw power of the Wolf option. These decisions not only shape your character’s capabilities, but also contribute to the overall synergy within your chosen skill set.

One of the joys of navigating the Skill Trees in God of War: The Board Game is the dynamic nature of their utilization. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, the optimal strategy varies based on individual playstyles and the ever-evolving circumstances encountered throughout the game. Success hinges on your ability to adapt, carefully analyzing each scenario and moment to make informed decisions that align with your overarching objectives.

In conclusion, Skill Trees represent a captivating mechanism that empowers players to customize and enhance their gameplay experience in God of War: The Board Game. From strategic decision-making to thematic customization, the possibilities are as vast as the realms traversed by Kratos and Atreus themselves.

So, as you embark on your epic journey, remember to embrace the strategic depth offered by Skill Trees and chart a path towards victory worthy of the gods themselves.

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more about the world of God of War: The Board Game.

God of War: The Board Game is coming to Gamefound on April 17th, 3 pm EST! Make sure to follow the campaign here.

Read other Design Diaries here:

The Game’s Lore, by Alex Olteanu

From Screen to Tabletop, by Patrick Fernandes

Menace Track and Synergy Track, by Fabio Cury