Power prolificacy

How to assign vps to each caldera power

Here’s the thought. For the Caldera deck (hidden one-off powers and secret points for 1 x each resource).

They need to be worth slightly more than 2VP per card as sing the powers generally will gain you minimum +2 (or at least + 1 to you, -1 to the opposition). Multiplayer that is tricky, as -1 to one opposition is also seen as +1 to other unaffected players.

High-stakes bell curve

  • 0 Points: 2 cards
  • 1 Point: 4 cards
  • 2 Points: 6 cards
  • 3 Points: 4 cards
  • 4 Points: 2 cards

= 36 total, 2vp average across 18 cards

The rare 0 and 4pt cards are memorable when they appear. The 0pt cards must have compelling powers that stand on their own.

Balanced spreads

  • 1 Point: 4 cards
  • 2 Points: 6 cards
  • 3 Points: 5 cards
  • 4 Points: 3 cards

= 43 total, 2.38vp average

  • 1 Point: 4 cards
  • 2 Points: 5 cards
  • 3 Points: 6 cards
  • 4 Points: 3 cards

= 44 total, 2.44vp average

Mapping

If power can’t be used = 4VP If power is weak as a one off, or moderate but very situational = 3VP If power is moderate as a one off, or weak but readily useable = 2VP If power is strong as a one off = 1VP

IDPowerLevelImmediateBonusVictory PointsReasoning
01Agile critters2-3-3Moving two critters or one critter twice is rarely powerful, though can come in clutch
02Bountiful resources1-2Gain + 3 resources when played1Almost useless as a one off
03Burrowing critters1-3-4Semi-protect a critter, don’t get resources. Low situational, low power
04Colossal critter1-3-2If the upgrade is for free, then this is great. This power is convoluted at the best of times.
05Converging tectonic plates2-4-1This can be pretty game changing, Moderate situational, high power
06Cooperative critters3-3Situationally could be used to begin sharing for rest of game - pretty funny
07Crafty critters2-4-2Could definitely pull a 3VP move with this
08Erosion2-4-3Could rarely pull a 2VP move with this as a one off
09Exalted sacrifices1-4--2Power is as strong regular passive power as one off, huge boost
10Flying critters2-4-3Moving one critter free up a tile (+1), potentially moving on to tallest stack, largest biome (unlikely)
11Frugal ritual1-3-2One cheap sacrifice, weak but used at the right time, situational
12Herding critters2-3-3One off not particularly powerful, not situational
13Island forger3-4-2One off, generally the maximum it would be used in a regular game
14Landslide2-4-2Could split and shift ownership of a high pt biome, moderately situational
15Lateral eruption2-4-1One off is situational, definitely quite powerful
16Lava diversion1-3-3Very situational, not particularly powerful
17Magma bomb1-3-4Low situational, not particularly powerful
18Magma siphon1-3-4Low situational, not particularly powerful
19Pack critters2-4-2Moderate situational, moderate power
20Rift2-4-1Moderate situational, high power
21Sea critters2-4--2Doesn’t work as one-off. Low situational, low power
22Sleight of land1-3-3Low situational, moderate power
23Super volcanic eruption5--4Doesn’t work as one-off.
24Volcanic migration3-4-4Could save a vital critter - e.g. colossal or tallest biome
25Volcanic winter5--4Doesn’t work as one-off.
Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Last updated on Oct 09, 2025 00:00 AEST

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I acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways on which this idea was brought to life, and pay my respect to the wisdom of their Elders past and present.

A boardgame designed by Alex Barnes-Keoghan
Built with Hugo, Theme Stack designed by Jimmy
Parallax stars effect by Sarazond, hexagonal background by Temani Afif
GAME TESTED BY// Ruby Benjy Amy Toby Hugh Liam Kumal Ben Sam Huon Jonathan The Melbourne Incubator Sonya Joseph Daarsya Jess Ryan Zach Sarah and many more