K2

2010 · Sports

K2

Players each control a team of two mountaineers racing to reach the summit of a deadly Himalayan peak and return alive. Play uses identical personal decks for movement and acclimatization; cards are spent to advance climbers along a mapped route, rest in tents, or boost oxygen levels. Weather tiles alter conditions and can lower acclimatization, forcing choices between pressing upward, waiting for better weather, or taking safer paths. Other climbers can block routes, creating tactical interaction. The game supports 1–5 players, offers two route boards and seasonal weather modes, and resolves in about an hour.

Players
1–5 best 3
Playing time
60 min
Age
8+
Complexity
2.2 / 5
6.4 on Ludoyafrom $41.20AdventureExplorationMovement PointsHand ManagementTurn Order: Progressive

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On Ludoya's tables

Full stats in Ludoya
413
Plays logged
304
Players
57m 18s
Average play
56
In collections
10
On wishlists

6.4/10

from 55 Ludoya reviews

  • Garfield8.0

    #16 Very thematic race game. [c] Theme: :star::star::star::star::star: <!-- size 7]Perfect! --> Gameplay: :star::star::star::nostar::nostar: <!-- size 7]Ok --> Interaction: :star::star::star::nostar::nostar: <!-- size 7]Blocking other people --> Artwork: :star::star::star::star::nostar: <!-- size 7]I like the weather tiles --> Luck: :star::star::nostar::nostar::nostar: <!-- size 7]Card drawing --> Strategy: :star::star::star::star::nostar: <!-- size 7]Yes, otherwise you wil die --> Components: :star::star::star::nostar::nostar: <!-- size 7]Good --> Play duration: :star::star::star::star::star: <!-- size 7]Perfect, even with 5 players --> Easy to teach: :star::star::star::nostar::nostar: <!-- size 7]Ok --> Rules quality: :star::star::star::nostar::nostar: <!-- size 7]Ok --> Setup time: :star::star::star::nostar::nostar: <!-- size 7]Ok --> No downtime: :star::star::star::star::nostar: <!-- size 7]Fast --> Replay value: :star::star::star::star::nostar: <!-- size 7]4 difficulties --> [/c]

  • Mestremuten6.0

    Rating: 3/5 Production value: 3/4 Is the game in my collection/Love to have?: 0/1

  • Dragonshiq8.0

    Included in "K2: Big Box (2020)"

Read the reviews and rate it

Rules questions

Answered from the rulebook by Ludoya's rules assistant.

When I total movement for the risk-token step, which value of a rope card do I count — the up or down value?

For the risk-token total you count only the rope card's upward movement value; during the action phase you then choose whether to use the up or down value for actual movement (count up for risk, pick direction for moving). (pages 4–5)

Can I split the movement points on one card between two climbers?

No — movement points from a single card may not be divided between two climbers (you may use multiple cards on one climber, but one card's points must be assigned entirely to one climber). (page 5)

How many climbers can be on the same space, and can I pass through a space that is already full?

The maximum climbers per space depends on player count and altitude and is shown on the board; a climber may pass through a space that is at its maximum occupancy as long as they do not stop there. (page 5)

When do we do acclimatization checks and what makes a climber die?

Acclimatization checks happen after the action phase each turn (phase 4); apply space modifiers, tent (+1 if same color tent), and weather penalties, cap acclimatization at 6, and any climber whose acclimatization drops below 1 dies (is removed and scores 1 VP). (pages 8, 12)

If I move a climber back down, do I lose the victory points they already earned?

No — victory point markers record the maximum height reached, so when a climber goes lower their victory-point marker stays at the highest value they achieved. (page 6)

How do tents work — cost, limits and can I use rope-card points to place one?

Placing a tent costs the space's entry cost in movement points and a climber may place only one tent in the game (spaces may hold multiple tents); when using a rope card only its upward movement points can be spent to place a tent. (page 6)

Opens Ludoya's rules assistant, which reads this game's rulebook.

Game facts (players, playing time, age, credits) from BoardGameGeek.