Flying Into the Moon Towers in Paupers’ Ladder… Literally
Explore Brighthelm on an adventure full of hazards and recipes as a cursed Bodach with a bird companion in Paupers’ Ladder.
Onward with the Halloween theme in Paupers’ Ladder! I decided to venture out as the final Bodach I had never played as. Lord Tureen rode about on a strange goat beast with a spherical and mesmerizing face. But more importantly, there was a trusty bird companion to help deal with the threat of Moon Towers. Or… Bring them right to the front. To Brighthelm!
Game Overview
Game Name: Paupers’ Ladder
Publication Year: 2019
Designer: Paul Stapleton
Artist: Paul Stapleton
Publisher: Bedsit Games
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game (Second Edition)
Each play is about exploring Brighthelm with a goal in mind, which is often tied to learning virtues. For a Bodach like Lord Tureen, these are powers. Trophies might be earned from defeated hazards, while interesting recipes open up abilities in this wonderful land full of surprises!
First Play
February 26, 2023
Complexity
2
Latest Play
October 6, 2026
Expansions
7
Setup Time
10 Minutes
Lifetime Plays
20
Play Time
50 Minutes
High Score
N/A
Game Area
38" x 26"
Low Score
N/A
Neatly Organized
There are a lot of card decks to set up, although this is simply about shuffling and placing them. Nothing too complex! My play area always looks so colorful and cheery.
In any given play, I see only a portion of these decks. I often dig through specific ones, yet even then, I use less than half of them. Others only feature a handful of cards per play.
So much variety! With the ability to play with The Moon Towers or just the base game, the possibilities are amazing.
Don’t forget the recipes! Ingredients show up in different places and collecting 2 of 3 unlocks the ability. Very cool!
Honest Day’s Toil
I shall preface this story with the idea that it was a lot of work. Sometimes, the right cards start to line up right from the start. Safe routes show up, along with easy hazards.
But for Lord Tureen? These Calico Critters stopped by to admire the work this Bodach had to put in! Surviving took a lot of hard work. So many difficult cards right at the start!
These sorts of plays are still a lot of fun, though. I had to find other ways to slow down the timer and advance.
For the record, Lord Tureen’s bird was the worst. I think a feathered someone was working against this Bodach. Ha!
Moon Tower Rising
Immediately after leaving Greyhaven on the first turn, what did this motmot do? Fly straight into the Sturgeon Tower! Lord Tureen was immediately cursed, barred from powers.
Motmot, whywhy?! At least combat didn’t immediately ensue, although this eastern beach was effectively barred from exploration until later on. Those terrible towers!
Maybe Greyhaven was a little cursed, though. The local quest involved moon hazards… So a tower was fitting.
Lord Tureen moved on out of there to put a little distance between the bird. Loyalty was put into question. Ha ha!
Motmot to TowTow
Little bird, again?! This motmot made it through the mountains, but in the dungeon, another Moon Tower rose.
It was at this time that I no longer referred to the bird as a motmot… This was TowTow, owing to her knack for finding every tower imaginable. She probably flew into them!
And so the map started off in a precarious position. Other moon hazards populated multiple regions, and it became a little more dangerous to travel. Poor Lord Tureen.
Even charging full steam ahead on his goat beast wasn’t quite enough. TowTow was just terrible to work with!
When the Worst Becomes the Best
Aside from the Moon Towers and high-level hazards, this play was really tricky to get anything started. Ingredients didn’t pop up as often as they usually do, so Lord Tureen didn’t have a lot of opportunities to complete recipes. Being cursed early on granted him the fantastic bonus of not being able to learn any powers until he paid to remove said curse. Disastrous!
But that’s also what made this pretty funny to work through. I almost had the right idea in a lot of spots, often using coins to extend the timer. Alas, I could tell this was either going to be an extremely unlikely victory, or a failed Halloween adventure for Lord Tureen. Blame it all on TowTow for that bird’s amazing ability to fly straight into gigantic towers!
Opportune Moonstrike
Far away on the western beach, Lord Tureen kept searching for some way to gain power in the face of all the towers. He was in luck during this turn… Moonstrike! So very lucky!
This took out the original Sturgeon Tower near Greyhaven. It wasn’t much, but clearing that region was a little helpful.
I only wondered why I didn’t send Lord Tureen to hang out in Bluevale at the lido all day. “It’s refreshing.” That first line was all the advertising it needed to do. An easy escape!
Despite this fortunate moment, things were looking dire. Time was almost up, and the coins were about to run out.
Moon Hazard Attack
Lord Tureen failed in his quest to gain power, and found himself attacked by Moonwardens and Moonwraiths at the very end. These Calico Critters jumped in as stunt doubles!
It was a fairly short adventure overall, although I enjoyed it. Plenty of laughs along the way with TowTow, who is either a very evil bird, or one who does not approve of Bodachs. Ha!
Bad luck isn’t often an issue in this game, as there are many opportunities to explore and advance. Just not my day!
Despite the loss, I shall forever hold onto the comedic moments brought about by TowTow’s terrible flying!
Session Overview
Play Number: 20
Main Expansion 1: The Bodachs of Brighthelm
Main Expansion 2: The Moon Towers
Main Expansion 3: This Cobbled Isle
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game (Second Edition)
Play Details: Hard Difficulty Level
Outcome: Loss
I went so far as to send TowTow over to these Bird Boxes near the end… She picked up crescents and lost a few turns, which seemed like the safest choice. Ha! Another lovely play that nails home the point that winning isn’t everything.
%
20 Plays
Affordability
Price & Value
10
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
10
Quality
Components & Rules
9
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
8
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
8
+ Pros (Positives)
- Little bits of humor can be found throughout the cards in a way that invites a lighthearted and cheerful atmosphere.
- Combining a character or Bodach with a bird companion creates a set of abilities that help add lots of variety.
- An entire play offers a sweeping adventure with plenty of interesting moments, typically within just about an hour.
- The artwork is charming and has its own unique style that’s immediately recognizable with lots of bright colors.
- Planning what to do each turn isn’t complicated, yet there are lots of options about what to explore or try to defeat.
- With so many cards, there are often surprises to uncover and unexpected twists with different card combinations.
– Cons (Negatives)
- Some elements of play can be forgotten, especially when adding in a lot of expansion content to keep track of.
- Setup isn’t particularly lengthy, but does take some time to shuffle and lay out the many card decks to use.
- Keeping track of abilities and bonuses gets a little tricky later on when multiple items and recipes are available.
- A bit of luck can make combat somewhat frustrating, especially early on, although there are often different strategies.
Victory Conditions
Complete the Scenario Win Condition
- Overall Goal Progress 50%
Goals and Milestones
Complete the Garolium's Tournament scenario.
Complete the Saltash Necromacner scenario.
Continue the Conversation
What are your favorite plays of Paupers’ Ladder? Are there any memorable experiences, especially with a bird companion? This was a comedic play, thanks to the way the cards came out. Can’t beat the fun that this solo game offers! I continue to love it, and appreciate that it has something new to discover every time. Coming up very soon: Holidays in Brighthelm!
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