Meeples & Wine: A Tactical Sip and Battle

Hey there, friends! It’s Michael and Suzy, your hosts of Meeples & Wine, the podcast where we review board games perfect for couples, with a drink in hand to keep things fun. We love hearing from you, so drop us a line at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or leave a voicemail at (707) 572-5282 or via our Speakpipe.

Also we’ll be at Lodge Con on November 1st! It’s at Will County Fairgrounds Atrium
710 S. West St., Peotone Illinois!

Let’s dive into this week’s episode!

Sipping Something Special

Today, we’re pouring a delightful wine to set the mood for game night. It’s WATER from the fridge, hailing from our kitchen. We’ve had quite a few Oktoberfest celebrations in the last few weeks, and for our own health and ability to function we have decided to skip the tasting for this episode. Remember everyone, re-hydrate!

Game Night: Pixel Tactics

This week, we’re playing Pixel Tactics, a head-to-head tactical card game that’s all about outsmarting your partner. You can find it on BoardGameGeek, though sadly, it’s no longer in print from Level 99 Games. Designed by D. Brad Talton, Jr. (the mind behind BattleCON Fighting System) and with art by Fábio Fontes and Maciej Mutwil, this game has a 6.8/10 rating on BGG and a medium-light complexity of 2.62/5. It’s strictly for two players, which makes it perfect for our couples’ game night.

So, what’s Pixel Tactics all about? Picture a pixelated battlefield where you and your opponent each command a 25-card deck. You secretly choose a Leader card to anchor your strategy, and their unique abilities shake up how every other card in your deck works. Each card can be played in three ways: as a Leader to start the match, as a one-time Order for a quick effect, or as a Hero placed in a 3×3 grid around your Leader. Heroes’ powers change depending on their position—Vanguard (front), Flank (sides), or Rear (back)—so placement is everything.

The game plays out in a series of matches, either best-of-3 or best-of-5. Each match has rounds split into three waves (Vanguard, Flank, Rear), where you take turns making moves like drawing cards, recruiting Heroes, attacking, playing Orders, clearing fallen Heroes (aka corpses), or shuffling your grid around. Combat’s a blast, with melee attacks hitting the closest enemy in a column, ranged attacks sniping anyone (unless blocked by a Hero with Intercept), or special attack powers for extra flair. The goal? Take down your opponent’s Leader to claim Trophies. First to two or three Trophies wins the game. Oh, and if you’re losing, you get to draw extra cards in later matches to even the odds—pretty clever!

There are tons of expansions out there, pulling in themes from video games, other board games, and even quirky crossovers. Check out the full list on BoardGameGeek if you’re curious!

How’s It Play for Couples?

So, how did Pixel Tactics hold up on our game night? Michael gave it a 7/10 for fun, Suzy, on the other hand, was all in with a 9/10. As for whether it’ll wreck your relationship, we’re happy to report it’s pretty safe. Michael gave it a 2.5/5 on the couch score, Suzy agreed with a 2/5.

Learning the rules took a bit—let’s call it a 1.5/5 on the time sink scale. It’s not a quick pickup, but once you get the hang of the waves and card roles, it flows smoothly. Expect a full game to run about 30-60 minutes, perfect for a cozy night in.

Wrapping Up

Before we sign off, let’s talk about what’s coming up. We’re super excited about Wizard Community College by David Marron, a cool project we found on Kickstarter. Next week, we’re diving into Terror Below from Renegade Game Studios—check out more details here.

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or let us know what games and wines you want us to try next! Reach out at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or drop a voicemail at (707) 572-5282 or via Speakpipe.

That’s all for now, folks! Keep rolling dice, sipping wine, and enjoying those game nights. See you next time on Meeples & Wine! Buh-Bye!