The Vault Games Christmas Gift Guide 2017

Hey gamers, Cassie here, your resident gift-giver extraordinaire. This week I’m going to give you some suggestions for what to give that board gaming-lover in your life!

For the Strategist

When you’re trying to decide what game to get for that gamer who loves a great strategy game, you can’t go past one of the past couple of year’s hottest trends: the legacy game. Charterstone, Seafall, or Pandemic Legacy are perfect additions to a serious gamer’s library, as they offer a whole range of new and unknown experiences to seasoned gamers.

If you’re looking for games that offer great strategy and great replayability, you can’t go past Scythe, Twilight Imperium 4th Edition and Century: Spice Road.

Hot Games for 2017

Want to get the newest and most popular games onto your special someone’s table? Look no further! Queendomino and Clank! In! Space! Are two hot games which are spin-offs of excellent original games of Kingdomino and Clank!

Be sure also to check out the beautiful artwork in Kanagawa and Near and Far, as well as fighting off diseases in Viral.

Awesome Themed Games

For that pop-culture nut of yours, get a game based on their favourite movie, videogame, or book! You can keep the riff-raff out with Attack on Titan: The Last Stand and Game of Thrones: Catan - Brotherhood of the Watch.

Fight demons, mutants, and villains alike in Dark Souls: The Board Game, Fallout: The Board Game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle, and Legendary: Big Trouble in Little China.

For the Party Gamer

If you know someone who is prone to hanging out in large groups and/or likes games that a short and sweet, why not try a couple of the following?

The EXIT or Unlock series of games. These are like escape rooms in a box, and include an entire evening’s worth of fun in a box! (They also make great secret santa gifts).

If dexterity is more in line with a group, perhaps pick up Junk Art or Flick ‘Em Up for a great gift. Other excellent recommendations include the hilarious Bears vs Babies, and team game Codenames.

Adding to Something They May Already Have (expansions)

Does it seem like your gaming friend has every game under the sun? Perhaps the only thing that can actually expand their collection is an expansion itself! Gift them Terraforming Mars: Hellas and Elysium - this adds a new game board to the ever-popular strategy game. Potion Explosion: The Fifth Ingredient adds a couple of new potions to brew, plus another colour marble; increase your brewing fun!

I mentioned Scythe up above, but there have been so many expansions released lately for it that one was bound to be missed! You can pick up The Wind Gambit expansion, the board extension, the Invaders From Afar expansion, the metal coins or realistic resources, and the Legendary Box to fit it all in!

Something for the Family

If you got your young cousin for the family Secret Santa, and don’t want to get stuck listening to him complain about the new clothing he received for Christmas, grab a family game, and with any luck you can crack it open before the food coma sets in! Rhino Hero: Super Battle brings the classic game, larger than life and no doubt will have Uncle Steve’s patience tested when the shouts of “oohs” and “ahhs” cry out at a potential toppling tower. Whistle Stop brings a bit of the fun of Ticket to Ride with a couple more elements for those avid young board gamers in your family.

Finally, you can’t go past a classic such as Survive: Escape From Atlantis. Great Aunty May will have to prove how good her memory is in this one, as long as her meeples make it off the island alive!

For the Mini’s Fan

If your friend continually talks to you about the best way to dry brush their [insert obscure mini character here], or is constantly complaining that they have no more minis left to paint, then perhaps you can gift them some paints, brushes, or pick from the range of miniatures we have available.

Or, if you really want to make them feel special, new releases such as the Shadespire game or Necromunda: Underhive core set will have them jumping for joy (before hiding in their room for three months, painting their new collection). [Editor's note: Perhaps they could come along to our miniature painting sessions? See the events page for more. -Dylan.]

For Those That Sling Spells (Magic)

If you know someone who is keen on Magic: The Gathering, but you’re not sure what to get them, the gift of a once-a-year unique Master’s set will have them smiling from ear to ear (especially if they pull a Mana Drain, Horizon Canopy or Aether Vial). This year’s set is an Iconic Masters Booster Box. If you want something a bit more unique but still within the Magic realm, then the Explorers of Ixalan board game adds an extra element for players to enjoy their hobby.

Want to get someone into Magic, or know of someone who is just picking up the hobby? Then kick them off the fun way with the latest Ixalan Bundle, which has 10 boosters, land, a spin down dice, and a catalogue of all the cards in the set. Finally, for the person who just has too many cards, why not pick up an Ultimate Guard folder for the storage and organisation of their precious cards.

For Those Who Go on Great Adventures (RPGs)

The universe is your oyster, especially when it’s one you’ve created yourself. If you’re looking to expand even more on the worlds that a friend has created through role-playing games, then perhaps you can gift them the Starfinder Core Rulebook.

For those who have been talking about getting into RPGs for ages but still haven’t done anything, give them a push with the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set. Add to their collection of dice by getting them something shiny and new! Or, to take their game to the next level, why not pick up some adventure miniatures.

If you have an RPG fan in your life but aren’t really sure what they do or don’t have, perhaps a roleplaying-style board game such as the new edition of Talisman or recently released game, Legacy of Dragonholt, which is set in the Runebound universe, will whet their appetite for adventure.

Stocking Stuffers

Want to gift a couple more things but not sure what to grab? Why not add these to your shopping list:

• 7 Wonders Leaders and Cities Anniversary Packs - new cards for the 7th year anniversary of 7 Wonders.
• Marrying Mr Darcy - do you know someone who calls themselves a match-maker? This is the game for them!
• Love Letter: Premium Edition - Sure, the one in the red bag is cute, but you gotta go big or go home when it comes to delivering letters to the princess! The deluxe edition makes a lovely gift. (Hint hint, any of my Secret Santa's who are reading this 😉).
• Pick up a some sleeves for the game you purchased! You can find a large variety instore and online.
• Playmats - Playmats are great to play Magic and any LCGs on, or they can be a great accessory to the home office!

Still Stumped?

Grab a Vault Games gift card! You can purchase these online in denominations of $10, $20, $25, $50, $100 or $200, or come in store or give us a call to get a custom amount. You may of course pop in-store and ask any of our friendly staff for some ideas for a present as well.

All of us at Vault Games would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.