#44: Lowenherz

Originally part of the prototype which spawned Settlers & Entdecker as well... those two games are low on direct conflict. Not so with Lowenherz, which is set up to create hostile negotiations, treachery, and territory gobbling. This is a work of genius from Klaus Teuber - sadly, it only really shines with exactly four players.

Larry Levy: "Very nasty, but very good territorial game. Trying to keep your coffers full while not giving too much to your opponents is a tough challenge. The newer, redesigned version, Domaine, is good, but it doesn't hold a candle to the original. Easily my favorite Teuber design. Our game group is a pretty friendly one and open disputes are very rare. The only time I've seen someone yell in anger at another player was during Lowenherz. Afterwards, the guy was pretty embarrassed and apologized profusely, but it was pretty funny at the time."

Mark Jackson: "I love that you can actually lose more points than you gain, due to eccentric scoring rules that force you to expand carefully."

picture from Board Game Geek