In a market filled with great miniatures games, Star Wars: Shatterpoint stands out as a slick high-action skirmish game packed with beloved characters from the franchise. Whether you want to pit Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader against each other or see what happens when Moff Gideon goes toe to toe with a bunch of murderous teddy bears, Shatterpoint has you covered. After mor??e than a year of? releases, there's a Death Star's worth of content out there, so we're here to help you get started.

The core set for Shatterpoint is the best way to get started and brings a lot of gameplay value straight away. Not only does it include the rules, measuring tools, tokens, and dice, but it also has enough miniatures to field two strike teams, meaning two players can share one core set. Multi-level terrain is really central to Shatterpoint's gam??????????????????????????eplay, so the core set contains a starting set of modular plastic buildi??ngs and walkways.

Once you have the core set, you need to choose your squads. Squads are at the heart of Shatterpoint's list?? building: strike teams have two squads of characters, with more powerful characters leading their squads as primaries, while other characters and unnamed fighters take secondary and support roles. Within a squad, the characters all have to share ??an era such as Clone Wars or Galactic Civil War, but beyond that, they can be part of the dark side, light side, rebels, bounty hunters �anything you like!

The Shatterpoint core set has a great set of miniatures, with Mandalorians, Clone Troopers, Droids, Jed??i, and Sith. They play well in their colour-coded sides (red and blue) as ready-made strike teams, but you can also mix and match to see what happens if Lord Maul teams up with Bo-Katan or Ahsoka leads a squad of Mandalorian Super Commandos. Trying different squads of core set characters is a great way to start learning how to list build, as there are very few bad combinations.

While Shatterpoint games usually play out with two squads per side and three struggles, you can absolutely get a feel for the game with one squad and a single struggle to learn the basic rules. The character cards have a lot of information, so starting with a single squad gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with how to apply their rules. Shatterpoint's excellent alternating initiative keeps games fl??owing as each unit is activated when their card is drawn from the player's deck of order cards. The Shatterpoint card, also shuffled into the deck, allows players to activate any character they want to, even one that has already been activated.

Unlike many traditional miniatures games, Shatterpoint focuses on objective control rather than taking enemy models off the table. Each character can potentially have all their health removed multiple times before they leave the table, which is a big relief when you've spent hours painting them. Instead, models vie for control of points on the table that change over the course of two or three struggles. The winner of the overall game is the person who won the most struggles, so even if you have a bad first struggle, you can still pull it back as the game goes on. In fact, the loser of a previous s??truggle gets advantages in choosing the position of objectives for the next one, meaning that players on the back fo?ot always have a chance for a comeback.

Once you've tried out some full games and become familiar with the core set characters, you can start to think about which characters support them well from other squad packs. Perhaps you got on so well with Lord Maul's high damage output that you want to bring the Witches of Dathomir to support him, or maybe you feel that your Clone Troopers could do with Obi-Wan Kenobi to lead them rather than Anakin. Some characters like Admiral Thrawn introduce more compl??ex rules, while others like the Bad Batch work really well together out of the box. Every squad pack introduces more options but the strictly limited squad sizes mean that it rarely feels like rules bloat is becoming an issue.

Whether you're tired of frustrating miniatures games that never seem to fulfill their promises or excited to see what your favourite Star Wars character can do, Star Wars: Shatterpoint is well worth a try. With four squad packs released this month and a packed release schedule for 2025 including beloved characters from Rogue One and The Clone Wars, there is no better time to squa??d up and give it a try.

The post Getting started with Star Wars: Shatterpoint appeared first on Destructoid.

Barring meteorites, who doesn't lov?e dinosaurs? They lived on every continent, came in all shapes and sizes, and put the first paleontologists through an anatomical trial by fire. Dinosaurs are just fantastic, so naturally, they've inspired a healthy collection of Jurassic-kicking board games. That was the last? pun, I promise.

Dinosaurs were my bread, butter, and breath as a kid, and I still remember trivia about nature's only attempt at dragons at random, usually inconvenient intervals. This makes me uniquely equipped to sort through the many, many dinosaur-themed board games out there and pick out the best from the pack. So, here are our top te?n? favorite board games with dinosaurs in them. See? I told you puns were extinct around here.

...Let's just get into this.

10. Hungry Hungry Hippos: Dino Edition

There's something Zen about Hungry Hungry Hippos. Maybe it's the rhythmic button-mashing or the satisfying click of the balls as they rebound off the walls, but it's disturbingly easy to fall into a flow state whenever you play a round of this iconic board. There's only one way to improve this game, and it inv??olves dinosaurs.

Hungry Hungry Hippos: Dino Edition is the same game that has entertained families for decades. The only difference is that they've replaced the hippos wit??h triceratopses. It's fun, it's simple, and it's got dinosaurs. What else do you want?

9. Dinosaur Escape

Life was tough in prehistoric times, and dinosaurs had to fight to stay alive. Dinosaur Escape gives ??you a chance to help some dinosaurs escape to an island before a volcano erupts.

Dinosaur Escape is a simple memory game w?here you flip over tiles to help your dinosaurs "remember the correct path to saf?ety. If you need to distract some dinosaur-loving kids, this is the game for you.

8. Evolution: the Beginning

Anyone who loves dinosaurs has dreamed about discovering or creating a unique species of ancient reptile. Evolution: The Beginning lets you and up to four of your friends play the God your eight-year-old self alwa?ys wanted to be, giving you the wheel of dinosaur evolution.

Part of the broader Evolution series, Evolution, The Beginning puts the survival of a dinosaur species in you?r hands. By pulling cards from a specialized deck, you arm your species with unique trait?s to help them survive an increasingly hostile environment. It’s survival of the fittest, and the player with the most successful species wins.

7. Evo: The Last Gasp of the Dinosaurs

The finale of Jim Henson’s Dinosaurs proved that the death of the dinosaurs can be a tragedy on par with the best of Shakespeare. Evo: The Last Gasp of the Dinosaurs lets you live out the final days of the dinosaurs, and it’s sur?prisingly fun despite the bleak tone of the premise.

With the help of up to three friends, you guide a group of anthropomorphic dinosaurs?, the Dinos, as they struggle to survive in a changing world. By acquiring “Genes�you can mutate your Dinos into an advanced species that, with some luck, will survive long enough to witness the end of their era. The outcome is inevitable, but at least you’l?l meet it with the dignity dinosaurs deserve.

6. Raptor

Trying to steal eggs from ferocious Velociraptors ranks pretty high on the list of bad judgment calls. However, that's precisely what one of the two Raptors players needs to do to win. Pitting the age-old enemy duo of scientist and raptor against each other, Raptors is the ??perfect two vs. two game for? dinosaur fans.

Using cards drawn from a deck to move around the board, Raptors' players try to outsmart and outmaneuver each other in a battle over a newborn clutch of raptors. Raptors isn't as strategically deep as some other games on this list, but its short run-time and ??momentum-based gameplay make it?? a fantastic pick for kids.

5. Unmatched Jurassic Park: Ingen vs. Raptors

Jurassic Park has pitted its human protagonists against almost every type of dinosaur known to man, but every film involves a scene where people face off against raptors. Unmatched Jurassic Park: Ingen vs. Raptors turns this recurring conflic???t into a satisfying board game.

Like other games in the Unmatched series, Unmatched Jurassic Park: Ingen vs. Raptors is an asymmetrical? strategy fighting miniature game. You build a combat deck using movement and attack cards to go toe-to-toe with your friend in life-or-death combat. Luck won't play any ??role in your victory or defeat; it's all on you making the most of what you have.

4. Dinosaur World

Dinosaurs and amusement parks go together like peanut butter and chocolate, or at least they do until someone leaves the cages open and the shiny new floor gets dirty with blood. Dinosaur World shows how wonderful a function??al theme park with live dinos?aurs can be, and it's a great way to spend an evening if you're a dinosaur lover.

Dinosaur World puts you in charge of creating the ultimate dinosaur park. Compete against up to three oth?er players to build the ultimate team of workers, ??collect DNA to bring back specific dinosaurs, and optimize your park with top-notch attractions while keeping visitor deaths to a minimum.

3. Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'N Write

As fun as imagining the many ways a dinosaur-themed amusement park can devolve into a slaughterhouse, there's nothing wrong with dreaming about a utopian dinosaur preserve where nothing goes wrong and everyone lives. Dinosaur Island Rawr 'N Write lets you do just that.

Family-friendly to a fault, Dinosaur Island Rawr 'N Write is all about creating and exploring a safe, colorfu?l dinosaur paradise. Using beautiful amber-themed dice, you'll hire a team of specialists, develop attracti?ons, and give your visitors an experience they'll remember till they're almost as old as the dinosaurs they're coming to see.

2. Dinosaur Island

The last theme park-themed board game on this list, Dinosaur Island is another tabletop park-building simulator. This game is much like Dinosaur World and Dinosaur Island Rawr 'N Write, but it's not as complex or as simple. That's where the charm lies. It??'s a game an??yone can play, and it's an excellent go-to for dinosaur-loving board gamers who want a good, clean game.

1. Happy Little Dinosaurs

The masterminds behind Unstable Unicorns are, in my humble opinion, some of the best independent board game designers in the business. Happy Dinosaurs gave me even more reasons to believe that.

In Happy Dinosaurs, you and up to three friends compete to keep your adorable little dino alive as nature throws every disaster at its disposal in your general direction. By flipping cards, you work to collect enough points to stave off the inevitable. As cheerful as it is macabre, Happy Dinosaurs is the only time I've ever found the death of?? the dinosaurs ??fun.

The post Our ??Top 10 Most FaveRAWRite Board Games With Dinosaur?s In Them appeared first on Destructoid.

Black Friday is a few weeks away, but you won’t need to wait to enjoy some fantastic deals on board games. Whether you want to buy something for your collection or friends, there are some great options to explore. A??ll the games on the following list are not only excellent options in their own right, but you can save a decent amount of cash by purchasing them right now. 

Catan

• Players needed: 3-4
• Regular Price: $54.99
• Discounted Price: $43.97

Catan will always remain one of my favorite board games due to ??the fantastic blend of luck and strategy. While you’re relying heavily on your dice draw, ?you’ll also have to place carefully to ensure getting a steady stream of resources to reach the victory condition. Again, the game emphasizes heavily what you want to do with your resources, and this is one title where hoarding is strictly discouraged.

Monopoly

• Players needed: 3-6
• Regular Price: $21.99
• Discounted Price: $14.97

Can there ever be a listicle about board games without Monopoly on it? Entertaining kids and adults alike since 1935, M?onopoly is a fantastic way?? to spend some quality time with your friends and family. Like Catan, you depend on dice draws to decide your fate, but what you do with the outcome always relies on your decision-making. Buy properties, set up hotels, or go to jail - everything can happen during a round of Monopoly. 

Splendor

• Players needed: 3-4
• Regular Price: $39.99
• Discounted Price: $21.98

Surviving as a royal jeweler (not literally) isn’t an easy task, especially when you’ve become the very best. Essentially a pretty simple game, Splendor i?s about collecting gems and then using them to get the mines. There isn’t much control over the gems that you receive, but using them strategically to secure the mines relies entirely on you. In fact, short-sightedness can cost you heavily in this board game, which makes it an amazing strategy board game as well. 

Wingspan

• Players needed: 1-5
• Regular Price: $65
• Discounted Price: $52

Wingspan is a beautiful game for nature lovers, which can get deeply compelling and extremely strategic at the same time. The core objective is to build up your engine by collecting unique bird cards.  Then, you play them strategically, feed them with tokens, and help lay eggs. As you build up your aviary, you’ll need to make critical de??cisions at every stage. In fact, the hard part is picking between four different actions every turn. Wingspan can feel a bit complex for beginners, but you’ll get good at it in no time. Additionally, the game can be played solo as well.  

Ark Nova

• Players needed: 1-4
• Regular Price: $74.95
• Discounted Price: $51.07

Ark Nova is one of the newer additions to the board game segment, and it’s perfect for those who enjoy management games. Relying on the cards that are dealt to you, the objective is to build the ideal zoo for your animals. This means placing the right animals in their correct habitats. Unlike titles like Wingspan, Ark Nova does allow you to chain the cards in your hand when required. There are five types of core actions, so you’ll once again have to pull out a sound balancing act. Like Win??gspan, Ark Nova can be enjoyed alone or with your friends and family. 

Pandemic

• Players needed: 2-4
• Regular Price: $44.99
• Discounted Price: $35.99

While Pandemic requires you to at least have a partner to play with, it’s a co-op experience. In simpler words, you and your buddies will be us??ing the cards to stop a global pandemic from happening. The objective is to win and? win together instead of trying to outwit each other. Coordination might be key, but your chances of success will mainly depend on how well you use the cards in your hand. If you enjoy Pandemic, there are plenty of themed versions available on the market as well.

Ticket to Ride

• Players needed: 2-5
• Regular Price: $54.99
• Discounted Price: $43.97

Ticket to Ride is one of those board games that look incredibly simple to play, and it is, but after a few turns, you then realize how complex it can get. Another board game that relies on cards, the core objective is to build the l??ongest train possible. But you can’t place the bogies anywhere you want, and the color of your cards will drive it. You’ll also have to connect the location cards in your hands for bonus points and avoiding penalties. It’s not an easy job at all, as your opponent will be doing the same, and the chaos begins if both of you have to lay down tracks on the same path. 

Arkham Horror

• Players needed: 1-4
• Regular Price: $59.99
• Discounted Price: $47.96

Halloween might be over, but the season of spookiness is yet to go away, and what better board game to play during this time than Arkham Horror? Themed around the Cthulhu mythos, Arkham Horr??or requires you to don your investigative hat and figure out what’s going on in the mysterious town you find yourself in. ??To solve the mysteries in Arkham, you’ll have to rely on the instructions on the cards. The core gameplay is divided across different campaigns, and you can pick up several expansions (which all fit with the core set). 

7 Wonders Duel

• Players needed: 2
• Regular Price: $34.99
• Discounted Price: $21.99

The original 7 Wonders requires you to build the finest empire possible across different ages. The Duel version has the same fundamental mechanics, but it’s tailor-made for two people. Winning in 7 Wonders Duel can be achieved in different ways - you can invade your opponent, research something marvelous, or build a city that takes you closer to the victory condition. The Duel version also results in quicker games, and you don’t ??have to set up a full board game night to get enough people to play in the first place. 

Everdell

• Players needed: 1-4
• Regular Price: $75
• Discounted Price: $59.98

Everdell is perhaps one of the most beautiful board games that I ever played. Unlike Catan or Monopoly, Everdell is about going on an adventure where you get to build up your own civilization. The playing ?board is absolutely gorgeous, but Everdell isn’t about visual gimmicks. You create your own civilization of critters and cute animals using different cards. You can play alone or with your friends in a competitive way. The Standard edition is currently available at a discount,?? and it’s an amazing deal. If you love Everdell, you could also pick up expansions in the future.

The post Best Board Game Deals before Black Friday 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

In the decade since the release of the 5th Edition (5e) of Dungeons & Dragons, the TTRPG landscape has changed, and a surge of new players have come into the hobby from actual plays, podcasts, and media like Stranger Things and Honour Among Thieves.

Accessibility has become a priority to bring new people in, and the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook 2024 is a great example of how a classic TTRPG can still appeal to players who may never have touched a Player's Handbook before.

10. Annotated character sheet

A D&D character sheet can be intimidating to a first-time player, so the Player's Handbook breaks down the sect??ions step by step, with numbers that relate each section to the relevant part of the character creation process. The character sheet in the book also has details like whether a spell requires concentration ready to fill in from the class spell list, which simplifies bookkeeping and highlights key mechanics for new players.

9. Class summary page

Even D&D veterans might struggle t??o call to mind every single subclass of the game's history, so the single-page summary of all included classes and subclasses is useful for everyone. It's particularly helpful for people who might have seen a class being played and want to try it for themselves or have no idea what they want to play and are looking for inspiration.

8. Detailed examples of play

The classic 'example of play' script can be cringey to read, but it's also a great tool to teach people what to expect at the table.?? Each section of the script has an explanation of which rules the players are using and how they work, meaning that you can learn as you read. These days, most players are more likely to lear?n from an actual play, but those can be variable in terms of how complete their mechanical explanations are, so this example of play gets everyone on the same page.

7. Background ability scores

Species ability score modifiers have been optional for some time, but now it is official: no longer are pa?rticular species just more suited to specific classes. Instead, ability score modifiers are linked to your character's backg??round, with three ability scores to choose from. While this still provides some limits to spur creative solutions, it encourages players to think outside the traditional species + class combo and engage with their character's history.

6. Simplified subclasses

D&D 5e's wealth of subclasses started to become a bit unwieldy when spread across three major books and scattered across others, especially ??with the sheer number of Cleric domains presented in the original 5e Player's Handbook and added to over time. The D&D 2024 Player's Handbook has opted to have 4 subclass options for every class, and most are simplified to ??take only half a page, with an inspiring piece of character art on the other half.

5. Visual presentation of concepts

Tabletop RPGs can be hard to wrap your head around for the uninitiated. Unless you've watched an actual play series or you know someone who tells you what the many different kinds of dice are, it can get confusing quickly. The D&D 2024 Player's Handbook uses neat visuals to illuminate some key concepts: one picture demonstrates creature sizes on a grid by using the flagstones under the characters and monsters. Making these connecti?o?ns between mechanics and story early on is a vital step in making TTRPGs accessible to everyone.

4. Feats are for everyone

Feats provide fun ways to differentiate between characters and make great builds, but for the last decade, they have been an optional rule where a player can forgo valuable attribute score improvements for the sake of a really cool ability, often one that is more about flavor than mechanical optimization. Now, everyone gets a feat to start with based on their background, which replaces the highly variable background abilities from the original 5e Player's Handbook. While it isn't quite t?he free-pick paradise I wanted, having backgrounds linked to a central set of feats that can be accessed through leveling means that background feats can also be more effective, consistent, and evocative.

3. Rules glossary

This is a common practice in TTRPGs, but it's still extremely good to see such a thorough rules glossary in an easy-to-find place. This also gives us some insights into plans for the future Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual: the term 'Bloodied' originated in 4th Edition D&D to describe a monster having taken half its hit points in damage and is included in the D&D 2024 Player's Handbook, suggesting we might see the ??reintro??duction of this valuable mechanic.

2. Summoned creature stats

The stats for every creature that the players might need to know to pl??ay their character??s are in the back of the Player's Handbook, from pseudo-dragon familiars to ponies. This quality of life change might be more of a concession to the staggered release schedule of the Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual (planned for November 2024 and February 2024, respectively) than anything else, but it also happens to be a really neat resource for players.

1. Nuanced class spell lists

It seems obvious, but the addition of schools of magic and a few codes to the class spell lists (representing specific material components, ritual casting, and whether a spell requires concentration) is wildly useful. The ability to scan down your class's spell list with that information ready to hand often makes complex spell management much faster. It will be interesting to see whether this is also true of spellcasters in the Monster Manual, as that? would be a boon to overworked Dungeon Masters!

The post Top 10 quality of life changes in the 2024 DnD Player’s Handbook appeared first on Destructoid.

Anyone with a penchant for dark, brooding monsters will be spoiled for choice over the next six months, with the final season of What We Do in the Shadows airing in October, the remake of Salem's Lot already making the rounds in theatres, Robert Eggers' remake of Nosferatu slated for December 2024 and the third season of Interview With the Vampire winging its way to us in early 2025.

TTRPG creators haven't been slacking on the vampire stakes, though: if you are hungrily awaiting the return of Lestat and C??ount Orlok, consider checking out these ten vampire TTRPGs. Whether you're playing alone or with your coven, you'll find something to sink y??our teeth into!

10) Low Stakes (NerdBurger Games)

Shows like What We Do in the Shadows and Being Human brought a fresh take on the vampire genre by playing up the comedy of vampire existence. In Low Stakes, you too can play a group of mismatched monstrous roommates who constantly struggle to engage with daily life. The challenges in Low Stakes are, ??as the title suggests, incredibly mundane. Y??our characters must master such dangerous situations as getting a new roommate, tracking down a lost pet, or having a very ordinary day.

9) Oops All Draculas! (Jessica Marcrum)

In Oops All Draculas!, every character is a Dracula: an archetype based on one of the many depictions of Dracula across the decades. In this world, Draculas are stronger together, but alone, they are a danger to themselves and others, so they team up to solve problems. Unfortunately, their pack mentality often backfires spectacularly. Oops All Draculas! makes an excellent one??-shot? for a Halloween gaming session!

8) Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition (Renegade Game Studios)

The vampire daddy of them all, Vampire: The Masquerade (known as V:tM), keeps returning from the grave and is now in its fifth edition. Originally released in 1991, V:tM tapped into the vampire craze of the 90s and attracted role-players who craved the moral ambiguity of a monstrous protagonist in a world of supernatural politics. It also gave rise to the video game Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, a cult classic of the urban fantasy video game genre. Renegade Game Studio's 5th edition of Vampire: The Masquerade introduces new mechanics for a modern audience, while nostalgia fans can check out V20, White Wolf/Onyx Path's comprehensive version of the original game's system and setti??ng.

7) SAD VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND (Grant Howitt)

SAD VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND does exactly what it says on the tin: you choose whether your character is a vampire or a mortal, teaming up with others to fight some threat to your existence or that of your love. Your moves are powered by pure angst, and there are even mechanics that can help you regain angst through brooding. A loving homage as much as it is an ironic take, SAD VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND is rules-light and fits onto one page.

6) Thousand Year Old Vampire (Tim Hutchings)

One of the solo journalling TTRPGs that popularised the form, Thousand Year Old Vampire by Tim Hutchings, is about the endless slog of immortality. Play through centuries of life as the vampire protagonist loves, loses, and learns that eternity isn't all it's cracked up to be. A story about grief and the slow loss of self in the face of an ever-changing world, Thousand Year Old Vampire is a unique take on vampire fiction.

5) Undying (Magpie Games)

In Undying, vampires are predators through and through. This diceless system guides players through the daily unlife of a vampire trying to survive in a city of predators, feeding on unsuspecting humans and warring over status and territory. Whether player characters succeed or fail against NPCs depends on whether they are higher or lower in status and how much blood they are willing to bet to achieve their goals. With downtimes devoted to the complex web of backstabbing, Undying models? the idea of territory, control, and callous inhumanity that so much vampire fiction strives to explo?re.

4) Paint the Town Red (SoulMuppet Publishing)

Described as a 'sad vampire RPG,' Paint the Town Red from Soulmuppet Publishing focuses on the best part of any vampire fiction: the parties. With an unashamed commitment to the melodrama of vampire romance, Paint the Town Red's sessions are wild rampages through your hedonistic, blood-soaked unlife. Players are encouraged to make their characters vulnerable, driven by passions that go too far, and revel in the consequences. You can get a free quickstart of the rules here, and check out the Backerkit campaign for the full release here.

3) Elegy (Moro de Oliveira)

For those who love Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Requiem but struggle to find a coven to play with, Elegy is the game for you. Other solo games on this list depict a very specific facet of vampiric existence, but Elegy is the closest to the typical vampire TTRPG, with its webs of politics, conspiring factions, and mystical powers. Based on the Ironsworn system by Shawn Tomkin, Elegy presents a rich urban fantasy world and a variety of vampiric archetypes to live your best Interview With the Vampire unlife.

2) Hunger and Thirst (HyveMynd)

While many other vampire TTRPGs have lengthy tomes, Hunger and Thirst from HyveMynd are two business card-sized RPGs that tell incredible stories within a few paragraphs. Both are solo journalling games about a relationship between a human and a vampire, with Hunger from the vampire's perspective and Thirst from the human's. Hunger and Thirst embrace the tension between desire and dang??er while also exploring consent in a mature and healthy way, all while k?eeping the rules streamlined and simple.

1) Vampire: The Requiem 2nd Edition (Onyx Path Publishing)

Vampire: The Requiem was originally envisaged as a reboot of Vampire: The Masquerade, but very much became its own thing. Vampire: The Requiem introduces a range of political and religious ideologies that offer a multifaceted take on what a modern vampire society could look like. Driven by the personal Gothic melodrama of characters trying to retain their connection to humanity as their inner monster (and a predatory society) drives them to do increasingly inhumane things, Vampire: The Requiem remains o??ne of the most nuanced explorations of vamp??ires in TTRPGs.

The post 10 delicious vampire TTRPGs for Halloween appeared first on Destructoid.

The recent spate of board game adaptations of video games has led to some great successes and some infamous failures, but the unique pitch of Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Board Game cannot fail to capture the attention of a particular era of gamer. Rather than simply adapting the often complicated mechanics of the video game directly, Archon Studio has created a nosta??lgic treat that doesn't get overly caught up in faithfulness over function.

Heroes of Might and Magic III was a tactical turn-based strategy game released in 1999 as part of a spinoff series in the Might and Magic franchise of computer RPGs. Through rich storytelling, challenging campaigns and finely-tuned strategy, Heroes III, as it is known, managed to capture the imaginations of multiple generations of gamers. Players could choose from a wide range of monstrous settlements for their starting base, each with their own e??vocative art and unique units. They were motivated to explore a world filled with crystal mines, griffon towers, and witch's huts through a wide array of solo campaigns, skirmish modes and multiplayer options.

Heroes III stands out as a particular success in the franchise, as subsequent installments in the series failed to capture the same satisfying gameplay loops and fan loyalty. The board game adaptation from Archon Studio is a triumph of nostalgia without being overly loyal to the often-automated original mechanics of the video game. The core set comes with three fa??ctions (Castle, Dungeon, and Necropolis), and a series of expansions add fan favorites such as the Tower, Rampart, Fortress, and Inferno. Each faction has its own strengths and weaknesses and gives a slightly different experience of play, as well as its own heroes who gain unique benefits as they level up.

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Board Game has utilized the wealth of r?ecognizable art from the video game and also boasts new art that fits perfectly with the aesthetic. Fans will undoubtedly feel a warm glow of nos??talgia looking at the hexes and city boards.

Combat is hugely simplified for ease and speed, and considering how many early fights end within a couple of actions, this is a boon to gamers who do not want to spend their whole day trying to work out how to split their horde of gargoyles into different stacks of troops. One of the things that made Heroes III so interesting was that you controlled groups of soldiers rather than individual models, a 'few' griffins and a 'throng' of pikemen, which indicated how many hits they could take before being removed from the fight but also how much damage they would do when t??hey attacked. The game's resource limits forced players to make strategic choices about whether to buy more cheaper, weaker units, upgrade existing units into stronger versions, or focus on a few more expensive units. The board game has simplified this down to a more binary system: units start on the 'few' side and can be upgraded to a mechanically superior 'pack,' which is knocked down to their 'few' side when they take sufficient damage. For those who favor a more complex combat emulator over exploration, the Battlefield expansion provides an experience closer to a classic war game.

In the video game, heroes found or purchased artifacts and spells and gained skills as they leveled, but the board game draws these elements together to make an engaging deck-building experience. Each player starts with a deck of cards that has basic?? abilities boosting attack, defense, magic, one or two magic arrow spells, and one unique ability card. As heroes level up by fighting, exploring, and building, they draw from expansive sets of ??spells, artifacts, and skills to build their hero deck. From powerful exploration skills like Diplomacy and Logistics to artifacts like the Black Shard of the Dead Knight, these are reworked for the board game mechanics and offer a wide range of tactical options.

Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Board Game has a satisfying gameplay loop at its core that not only draws on the nostalgia value of the original Heroes III experience but also remixes familiar elements into something that suits a tabletop game a lot better. There is an undeniable joy in the process of playing, whether y??ou are revealing a hex filled with exploration points, slotting your latest structure into your growing city board, or rolling for a climactic fight with a Crystal Dragon. In some areas, the game has lost tactical depth through its simplification (for instance, instead of a different building for every type of unit, you now have a single building for all units of a particular power level), but the trade-off in terms of streamlined gameplay is undeniable.

My main complaint is that there are only a few cooperative scenarios in the many mission books, meaning that gaming with friends in a non-competitive way is likely to get boring quickly. However, the richness of the gameplay still means that each game has its own variety. If you loved Heroes of Might and Magic III, prepare to restore Erathia once more!

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Sometimes, we just want to gather our good friends around a table and give them?? a good scare. While it's possible to do that with any game, it's easier when a game is designed with horror vibes in mind. If you're on the hu??nt for those games, you're in luck.

To celebrate the scariest month of all, Humble Bundle has been running some special deals for some truly haunting gaming experiences. Firstly, there is the Call of Cthulhu bundle. The bundle offers every possible shape and option for you to encounter some Great Old Ones and suffer greatly for doing so. Alongside all the books you need to play CoC 7th Edition, there is a litany of supplemental books to boost your campaigns, including Cthulhu Dark Ages and, my beloved, Pulp Cthulhu. Maybe you're into unique period pieces and wanna run something like Reign of Terror or Berlin The Wicked City. My? suggestion? They've got a handful of adventures designed for one-on-one play, in case you really wanna traumatize ??just one friend in particular. If you're looking for an excuse to dive into cosmic horror, this is a good way to start.

If you are looking to inflict a kind of horror that is slower burning, there's also a deal on the 5th Edition World of Darkness games. The core books you can pick up here are Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Hunter: The Reckoning, and, of course, Vampire: The Masquerade. Most of the bundle bolsters Vampire, but there's more than enough for all three, especially if you're diving into this strange world for the first time. Have you been curiou??s to explore the dangerous and horrific political world of Vampire clans? Want to combat against creatures far stranger than yourself to delay the end of the world? Maybe you just want to fight against creatures that are as deadly as they are killable? If you've ever been curious ??to see what all the talk is about, here's your chance.

The Call of Cthulhu bundle is $25 for everything on offer. The World of Darkness bundle runs $40 for its collection. Both bu??ndles run u?ntil the end of October.

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Spiel Essen, the world’s biggest board gaming expo that t?akes place annually in Essen, Germany, has wrap??ped up for another year. This year, the convention saw more than 204,000 people attend over the four days. The figure represents the largest number of attendees in the post-Covid era, although it falls just short of the 209,000 record set in 2019. That figure is unlikely to ever be matched, though, as organizers have now set a daily limit on the number of attendees in the hall.

2024 is the first time in the event’s 41 years that it has fully sold out. The sellout was helped by the fact the event coincided with a public holiday in Germany but also goes some way to show?? the rise in board gaming’s popularity.

More than 1,200 new games were showcased at the event, as well as ??expansions and add-ons for some of the biggest games in the industry.

This year, four-day tickets sold out well in advance of t?he first day. Tickets for Saturday, which is the most?? popular day of the long weekend, sold out on the day they went on sale, while Thursday and Friday tickets had sold out before the expo started. Sunday tickets sold out before the end of the weekend.

In previous years, atten??dees have been able to buy tickets at the door, but due to rest??rictions on the number of visitors and this year’s incredible popularity, hopeful punters were left disappointed. Despite organizers warning on their Facebook page that tickets might sell out, there have still been complaints from disgruntled visitors.

This year’s expo did look a little bit different. Following complaints from attendees in previous years, the aisles were widened to allow easier a?ccess and to enable smoother queueing. This led to a 50,000 ticket capacity, per day.

There were a total of 923 exh??????????????????????????ibitors this year, down from the 935 that showed up last year. These figures are significantly down?? from the 1,200 who had exhibited at previous events. The drop has been put down to an increase in exhibitor costs which have come into force over the past two years. New organizers, Spielwarenmesse, put the increased costs down to inflationary pressures, but some critics question the motives.

The prices saw major names like Asmodee and Ravensburger take over Hall 6 with massive exhib?ition areas, while smaller publishers grouped together to share exhibition spac??e and stands.

Spiel Essen was first held in 1983 and has been hosted in the Messe Essen exhibition center every year since then, except in 2020 when it was held digitally. It is considered the most prestigious and biggest event in the European board gaming industry and sees the launch of many new games each year. A lot of these games are available before they hit retail shelves, and may co??????????????????????????me at a slight discount direct from the publisher.

There are also dedicated gaming areas set up where players can try new games and play agains?t others from around the world. Although it is the largest of its kind, Essen is just one of a growing number of board gaming exhibitions to take place during the year. And, the increasing popularity of the hobby is further shown by the prevalence of board gaming cafes and st??ores popping up on high streets around the world.  

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The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are set to launch as part of the Unmatched modular board game series after blitzing its $250,000 Kickstarter project target. The pro??j??ect has nearly raised $1 million with 13 days still to go. It took just under an hour for the project to be fully funded and the estimated delivery date for the game is September 2025.

Unmatched is a modular hand management, battle game system. Every pack and add-on can be played individually with players working cooperatively to battle against the set’s main villains before they complete their objectives. The heroes and battlefields from each set ca??n also be used to battle other human competitors in the Unmatched Adventures series. Previous entries have included the likes of Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and Doctor Strange from DC as well as Black Panther, Black Widow, and W?inter Soldier from Marvel.

The Unmatched Adventures: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set will see between one and four players playing as Michaelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, and Donatello, with support from April O’Neil, Case? Jones, Splinter, and Metalhead. The villains included in the set are Shredder and Kang, who are supported by the likes of Leatherhead and Rat King. Additional allies and henchmen cards can shift the odds in favor of the players or the villains.

The game is simple. Every turn, players can scheme, maneuver, and attack, but ??the hero’s capabilities and skills will change how the game ultimately plays out.

Included in the base game are four hero and two villain miniatures, as well as sidekick and foot soldier tokens. T?here are around 200 cards and a good sel??ection of other tokens. Typically, players can take their hero decks from any of the standalone games and use them to battle other players.

Restoration Games has created hero decks from Shredder and Krang, and these can also be used in the main game. Pledges range from the $80 Pizza-Rama which includes the base game and a couple of promo packs, to the XL Ultimate Supreme which includes the villains as hero decks, promo packs, and extra miniatures, and costs $225. There are also add-ons like neoprene playmats, sleeve packs, and alternative art cards. Restoration Games has also promised one new promo pack card for every $25,000 the project goes above its target. As it nears $1 million that already means a ton of additional content for ba??ckers.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is enjoying a renaissance at the moment, especially in the gaming world. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is set for release on PC at the beginning of November having previously launched on Apple Arcade and the Switch. Limited Run Games has announced that it is taking preorders for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge Ultimate Edition on PS5 and Nintendo Switch.

There have been other board games based on the heroes in half-shells, too. 2020 saw the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures: Change is Constant, a deck-building and dice-rolling game, and one of the most noteworthy recent adaptations. In 1987, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Pizza Power Game had a somewhat unique ?battle element. When players fought any of the game’s villains, they had to flip dice into numbered compartments in? a bid to win the fight.

Restoration Games, the team behind the Unmatched games, has a mission to bring back older games and reinvent them for the modern age. They have already rereleased Crossbows & Catapults as well as Thunder Road Vendetta and Fireball Island.

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Even though Valheim is stoéé in early access, it is already getting its own board game. Valheim: The Board Game launched on Gamefound at the start of this month and r??eached its �00,000 target in just 53 minutes. It i??s currently 440% funded, having amassed more than �80,000 in funding at the time of writing.

Valheim launched in early access for Steam and Linux on February 2, 2021, and on Xbox One and Series X/S on March 14, 2023. It sold a million copies in its first week on Steam. Iron Gate Studio said they wanted to develop the game with the help of player??s and expected to release multiple updates within its first year of release.

However, by June 2021, the publisher had removed the original roadmap and delayed the game’s first updates. It is very unlikely fans will see a full-access release this year, and we may have to wait until well into 2025 for a hard launch. However, even in its current state, Valheim continues to prove popular.

The game’s most recent update, Ashlands, was launched in May 2024. The new area, at the Southern edge of the map, ??brought new enemies and even harsher conditions. According to the original roadmap, Ashlands should be the penultimate biome to be released before the game gets its long-awaited full release.

With players having already waited three years for full access, it wouldn’t be surprising if interest in the game had started to wane. However, the recent Gamefound project launch would suggest otherwise. Having launched at the beginning of October, it took less than an hour to reach its �00,000 target. Valheim: The Board Game look?s highly likely to surpass the �? million target in the coming days.

The board game has been designed by Ole Steiness and it will be published by Mood Publishing. The group previously worked together on the award-winning co-op board game Deep Rock Galactic so they have good board game design pedigree. Of Valheim: The Board Game they said they have worked tirelessly to recre?ate the feelin??g of exploration that is found in the video game.

The game can be played by up to four players or solo. Players can create their characters before exploring, gathering and managing resources, crafting equipment and building homes, and attempting to vanquish the monsters of Valheim.

Exploration will see players gradually uncover the 20 game tiles and boss arenas. Houses, which include cardboard components, are stored on player homestead boards, and there are more than enough? minis and other components to suggest the game will have a strong table presence.

Mood Publishing has made the ?decision not to include stretch goals. However, as well as a standard edition, which can be backed for �5, there is a deluxe edition, costing �15, and a collectors edition for �55. Add-ons and extra merch include a big wooden spoon, wooden beer coasters, and a metal dice keyring. Extras like the dice tray, dice set, and dice tower offer cosmetic upgrades. An all-in package, including the collector’s edition and all add-ons, costs �20.

The Gamefound project gives a likely delivery date of October 2025, which means backers will have about a year to wait before they can explore Valheim. Hopefully, by the time the board game is released, Valheim on PC and consoles ?will also reach? the 1.0 milestone.

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Dungeons & Dragons has enjoyed a significant renaissance in recent years thanks to its appearance on Stranger Things, as well as the increasing popularity of YouTube channels like Critical Role. How?ever, according to some experts, its resurgence might not be entirely down to its appearance in popular culture. Counselors and psychologists report that the game can help to develop learning skills while also enabling players to improve social skills and even work through cognitive problems.

There are examples of mental health professionals using the TTRPG to help treat patients. One child anxiety counselor in North Carolina offers D&D therapy sessions and in one blog post, Katie Lear highlights how it can help with self-esteem, self-confidence, and social skills while also encouraging participants in this form of play therapy to be more assertive with their peers. She points to its collaborative elements as well as it?s ability to encoura??ge empathy.

Staff psychologist William Nation runs a D&D therapy group at Johns Hopkins University whe?re a two-hour session is broken down into a 60-90 minute roleplaying session followed by a discussion of the game’s events. There are also examples of D&D being used to strengthen group bonds, making it a useful team-building game.

Dungeons & Dragons was created in 1974 by game designers Ernest Gary Gygax and David Arneson. The original game was little more than a 50-page rule book, but it becam??e extremely popular in the 70s and 80s, even spawning a D&D-themed TV show in par?tnership with Marvel.

However, despite?? its popularity, it looked to be on the rocks by the 1990s as Gygax was pushe??d out of the company and a series of questionable business decisions were made. Fortunately, in 1997, Wizards of the Coast bought out Tactical Studies Rules, the company established by Gygax to distribute D&D rule books.

Following the acquisition by Wizards of the Coast, the game became open source. Not only could players and game masters make and adapt their own rules, but so too could other gaming companies. This led to the creation of other tabletop RPGs like Pathfinder and helped secure the future of D&D.

Wizards of the Coast also makes D&??amp;D-themed board games that are set in the same game world but don’t have the same party size or game master requirements, arguably making th??em more accessible.

Under Wizards of the Coast’s leadership, Dungeons & Dragons has seen a massive resurgence in popularity. This was boosted further by the game being a central figure in the hit series Stranger Things. It became more socially acceptable to be a D&D player, and celebrities like Terry Crews??, Vin Diesel, and Joe Manganiello helped push the game??, which was once seen as the reserve of geeks in their moms�basements, into the mainstream.

The popularity of the original TTRPG even led to the production and launch of the Hollywood movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves in 2023. The film starred Sophia Lillis, Daisy Head, Chris Pine, and Michelle Rodriguez. It scored 91% on Rotten Tomatoes but while the movie only returned $208 mi?llion on its $150 million budget, star Chris Pine has said that he is reasonably confident that a sequel will happen. He went on to say t??hat he would absolutely return.

D&D itself saw the launch of the fifth edition? back in 2014, although the most recent core rule books were only released this year. 5e polarizes the opinions of most stalwart gamers, with some strongly opposing the character selections and the fatigue ailment, although, as with all elements of Dungeons & Dragons, the Dungeon Master can choose to keep or alter these elements if they wish. Others like that the rules are easier to pick up for new gamers.

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Hasbro and partners Winning Moves have announced plans to launch three new variants of well-loved, classic board games, in time for the holiday season. Risk: Stranger Things, Monopoly: Sonic the Hedgehog, and Monopoly: Hello Kitty are all due to hit ??shelves by the end of the year a??nd are available to pre-order on some retailer sites.

The classic area control board game, Risk, was launched way back in 1959. Since then, it has seen the launch of multiple variants including Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Transformers-themed versions. The most recent launch was 2013’s Risk: Plants vs Zombies, which was a two-player edition in which players played as either of the eponymous groups. Risk: Stranger Things takes place in the town of Hawkins and lets two to five players choose w??hether to play on the side of good or evil.

To coincide with the launch of the Hello Kitty movie, Hasbro is also launching Monopoly: Hello Kitty. It joins a roster of hundr?eds of variants of one of the world’s most popular games. The movie is set to release on November 1, so keen players can expect the game to launch at around t??he same time.

Finally, Hasbro also announced another variant of Monopoly, this time themed on video game hero Sonic the Hedgehog. Players will race around the board in true Sonic style, trading vehicles and characters from the series of ga?mes. The game can be played by two to six players and features metal character tokens including Sonic’s shoe and, of course, a gold ring.

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Thanks to games like Dungeons and Dragons, fantasy setti?ngs tend to dominate th?e TTRPG space, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of phenomenal cyberpunk games. 

In fact, cyberpunk ?TTRPGs are among some of the best in the genre. There are cyberpunk systems with insanely creative?? character options, wildly inventive settings, and all the rules for tactical combat you could ever want. Neo-noir mysteries, action thrillers, and more await you in the world of cyberpunk TTRPGs.

Cyberpunk 2020

Cyberpunk is the gold standard for high-tech low-life RPGs for good reasons, and 2020 is the best version of the rule set by far. Character creation in Cyberpunk 2020 follows the Life Path system, which fully builds out all the stat-centric part??s of your character while also telling their backstory. Combat is tactical and highly lethal, and there are a wealth of supplementary materials out there for this system. If you haven’t gotten to use this system before, it needs to be on the top of your to-do list. 

Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED is the latest edition of the Cyberpunk rules system, and it comes with quite a few modern updates. The rulebook is straightforward and easy to use, and multiple character creation options let you get into the game as quickly as you want. This edition has the added benefits of usable hacking mechanics, rather than the utter mess of rules that came in previous versions of the game. This is a great entry point for cyberpunk-themed TTRPGs, and t??he included Night City setting is an absolute classic. 

Traveller

Most people think of Traveller as a system for space faring games, and they aren’t wrong. That said, the game is incredibly versatile, and the core book plus the supplements give you rules for everything from cybernetic body modifications to computer hacking. Plus, the Traveller character creation process is almost a mini-game to itself, it’s spectacular. You could easily tell a grounded cyberpunk? story with this system, and when the plot is wrapping up, you can ship your characters out to the stars.

Altered Carbon

Altered Carbon is a game for cyberpunk fans who really want to lean into the neo-noir aspects of the genre. It’s tailor made for solving high-tech mysteries in a futuristic society that’s ruled over by the ultr?a wealthy. The game is based on the book series by Richard Morgan, and it manages to mechanically work in the most interest??ing concept in Morgan’s setting: the ability to move your consciousness between bodies as easily as changing clothes. 

Dune

For certain types of players, the Dune TTRPG is a dream come true. Set in Frank Herbert’s iconic universe, the game actually mixes grand strategy elements into the roleplaying rules. There are mechanics that let you create your own Major or Minor House and control things from the shadows. You can hire Mentats and workers, construct machinery to gather spice, and slowly build up your interstellar empire. Whether you want to play through an epic rebellion story or work your way toward galactic domination, Dune has you covered. 

Stars Without Number

Like Traveller, Stars Without Number is a TTRPG designed for space adventures, but it doesn’t take much tweaking to turn it into a killer cyberpunk game. All the tech and weapons you could ever need are included in the core rulebook, which is also packed with information about building worlds and running games that can easily come in handy at any table. Once you’ve got your head around the system, you can even check out fan-made cyberpunk campaigns like Polychrome. 

Shadowrun

Aside from the various versions of Cyberpunk, Shadowrun is probably the best-knock cyberpunk TTRPG. Instead of going for gritty realism, Shadowrun throws some fantasy elements into its high-tech setting. Want to play an elf with a lazy sword or a cybernetic streetrat with a proclivity for magic? Shadowrun offers one of the most unique settings out there, and the core rulebook has everything you need to get started, in??cluding some ??pre-written adventures that are super easy to run. 

Starfinder

Like almost any TTRPG system built for sci-fi adventures, Starfinder works perfectly fine for a cyberpunk campaign. This particular system would really shine in a cyberpunk story that takes place on a distant planet because there are tons of rules for different alien races and characters. Like Traveller or Stars Without Numbers, this game will take a little tweaking on the GM’s part, but it’s probably the easiest of the three for players to jump into because it’s a bit more similar to D&D 5E and isn’t near??ly as lethal as those other systems. 

Aetherium

Even when cyberpunk TTRPG systems have good rules for hacking and navigating through cyberspace, the virtual realm often feels like an afterthought. Aetherium is tailor-made for cyberpunk stories that want to put the digital world at the forefront. The primary setting for the game is a virtual reality, and that means there’s full rulesets not just for hacking but also for designing your own custom programs. Aetherium has all the anarchists, corporatists, and media moguls you’d expect from a cyberpunk setting, but the focus on the digital aspect of the world really helps it feel distinct from the other gam?es on this list. 

Mythic

Mythic is the only system on this list that isn’t going to provide you with any pre-designed rules for tech, weapons, or the material aspects of a cyberpunk setting. That’s because Mythic is a GM emulator that’s designed to let you play through any roleplaying story you can dream up, with or without a real GM at your table. Mythic requires more imagination and initiative from players than any other game on this list, but once you get into t??he swing of it ?you can play any kind of game you want.

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Rayman The Board Game is set for launch at ?the end of this year after smashing its Kickstarter target. The project has currently reached more than five times its minimum target with another 10 days still to go.

It’s more than 10 years since Rayman Legends, the most recent full title in the Rayman series, launched on PC and consoles. While there is no sign of a new video game release??, fans of the series, of which there are still many, will be able to get their fill of the platformer later this year, albeit in analog form.

Ubisoft has teamed up with Flyos Games to launch the Rayman The Board Game Kickstarter project. Despite only launching on September 17, the crowdfund?ed project has amassed more than $200,000 in pledges, smashing its initial target of $37,117. The project is set to run until October?? 8 so is likely to pick up a lot more backers in the meantime.

The designers describe the game as a race that pits one to four players as they attempt to evade dangers and rescue Teensies throughout the Glade of Dreams. The standard game includes four-player mats, a de??ck of 54 action cards, and four stunning vinyl player figures as well as ??a host of tokens and counters.

There is an expansion and several addons, that aren’t sold separately, which take the player count up to six people and include upgraded wooden tokens as well as improved sk??ins f?or those who like to plus up their board games (who doesn’t?).

The original Rayman series of games were hugely popular platformers and even led to the launch of spin-off titles featuring the game's antagonists, the Rabbids. And while Ubisoft has continued to develop Rabbids games, at least for Switch owners in China, there has been no sign that the developers are plann??ing any new tit?les in the main series.

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The Warhammer 40,000 universe is full of heroic factions like the Ultramarines and terrifying alien threats like the Tyranids, but that's only a fraction of the whole picture. As seen featured in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the Thousand Sons are a group of Chaos-corrupted Space Marines with a penchant for magic and ?the occult. However, the Th?ousand Sons are more than just evil wizard marines. Their past is marked by tragedy and the fickle hands of fate, truly showing that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant and influential forces in the Warhammer 40K universe is Chaos. It manifests in various forms, from daemons summoned through ritual to heretic Adeptus Mechanicus members creating diabolical homunculi of steel and flesh. However, the most iconic representation of Chaos is the heretic Astartes. Each warband can trace its lineage back to one of the traitor Legions from the Horus Heresy civil war, and most have willingly surrendered to the ruinous powers, seeking ??a share of their dark might.

The Thousand Sons were one of the Legions marked as traitors during the Horus Heresy, but it's not as cut and dry as the other heretics. While there is no excusing the vicious actions of the group in the lore's current standing?, for quite a while, the Thousand Sons were acting in the best interest of the Imperium.

A tragic past

Like all Adeptus Astartes, the Thousand Sons started out as loyal mem?bers of the Imperium. Their Primarch, a demi-god genetically cloned from the Emperor, Magnus, grew up on the Psyker world of Prospero, where he sharpened his already potent psychic abilities. He soon surpassed all his teachers and set about advancing civilization on Prospero, making Warp study a primary focus.

Magnus was repeatedly warned about the perils of the Warp and t?he entities that dwelt within, both from his teachers and the Emperor after the two were reunited. Despite this, Magnus frequently projected his psyche into the immaterium to scour its depths. Following the Primarch and Emperor's reunion, the Space Marines that would become known as the Thousand Sons were Magnus' to command. Like him, each bore a natural gift for Psyker arts and a fascination with the Warp. However, his genes proved unstable when applied to his sons.

The Space Marines tended to become afflicted with something known as the "flesh change," which would see them mutate into mindless abominations. While some called for the Legion's disbandment and destruction, Magnus pleaded for the chance to sav??e his sons. Eventually, afte??r many attempts to plumb the Warp for a cure, Magnus seemingly found what he was looking for. The Primarch saved those he could, leaving only around a thousand of his Legion unaffected, earning the Space Marines the name the Thousand Sons.

The Council of Nikaea

While the Thousand Sons proved as effective as any other Astartes Legion, the other Primarchs and their sons looked on with dread. As the Impe?rium pushed further into the galaxy, it encountered vile alien species that used Warp magic, much like the Thousand Sons. Psychic abilities became taboo, and Magnus' Legion was perceived as skirting too close to those ruinous powers. The issue culminated in what became known as the Council of Nikaea, where the Emperor called a meeting between all Primarchs and other trusted advisors. The righteousness of Psykers would be put on trial.

Though Magnus did have some voices in his corner, the events at Nikaea did not go in ??his favor. Except for Navigators and Astropaths, needed for space travel, the Emperor decreed that Psykers were not permitted to practice. Magnus begrudgingly accepted his father's ruling, but it wouldn't be long before he'd break his promise. The Primarch would foresee the Horus Heresy and all the ruin it would bring. Desperate to warn his father as quickly as possible, Magnus used astral projection to traverse the ??Warp and reach the Emperor directly.

Just before reaching Terra, Magnus found his path barre?d by some kind of seal. At this time, a voice reached out to him in the Warp, promising to help the Primarch overcome the barrier. Seeing no other option, Magnus accepted the help and crashed through the obstacle right into the Emperor's throne room. The Emperor put the seal in place to k??eep daemonic forces from reaching Terra, and now they were invading through the hole Magnus had created. The events also destroyed the Emperor's Webway project, which would have allowed humanity to discontinue its use of Warp travel.

Prospero falls, Chaos rises

When Magnus returned to his physical body, the mysterious voice revealed itself as Tzeentch, the Chaos god of change and sorcery. The entity told Magnus that he and his son??s were destined to serve Chaos, one way or another. Meanwhile, the Emperor ordered the Space Wolves and their Primarch, Leman Russ, to bring Magnus and the Thousand Sons back to Terra to answer for their crimes. This order was intercepted by the now-corrupt Horus and was changed to see the Space Wolves decimate Prospero and the Thousand Sons.

Magnus fully realized that he? had become a pawn to Chaos and opted for inaction. He believed that any further struggle would play right into the hands of Chaos, and he was ready to allow his Legion and himself to fall for his folly. However, after watching the dest??ruction start to unfold and believing that he had been in the right trying to warn his father, he took to the field to deny his Legion's execution. That ultimately led to a confrontation between brothers as Leman Russ and Magnus faced each other in battle.

Russ eventually overpowered Magnus and, in one swift blow, broke the sorcerer Primarch's back over his knee. Completely without hope, Magnus heard the voice of Tzeentch again.? It offered to save him and his remaining sons if he swore allegiance to the? dark power. Seeing no alterative to save his sons, Magnus agreed. The Primarch and the Thousand Sons were transported to a world within the Eye of Terror known as the Planet of the Sorcerors.

The Rubric of Ahriman

After the events of the Horus Heresy played out, the Thousand Sons would be part of another Legion-defining event. Though the Thousand Sons were now sworn to Chaos, the Legion's rampant mutations returned. Azhek Ahriman, Magnus' trusted advisor, was unwavering in trying to find a cure. In secret, he formed a cabal of sorcerors hoping to unlock the secret to ridding? the Legion of its mutations, but it ultimately backfired.

Ahriman completed a ritual that saw the "flesh change" cured, but it ravaged those in the Legion without a strong psychic connection. Sorcerors were unharmed, but everyone else was reduced to little more than dust sealed in power armor. The Space Marine?s were still alive in some sense, but only their souls remained under the armor to power the new automaton. Needless to say, Magnus was furious when he realized what Ahriman had done to his sons. 

Though the Primarch wanted to kill Ahriman, Tzeent??ch intervined and noted that the sorcerer was still valuable for furthering Chaos' will. To that end, Magnus let Ahriman live but sentenced him and any of his collaborators to exile.

Sorcerous tactics

Being Chaos Space Marines with a history steeped in the occult, it should be no surprise that the Thousand Sons favor psychic abilities and magic. The heretics are just as comfortable summoning daemons to do their bidding as they use Warp-infused weaponry. That's ??not to say that they don't use similar gear and weaponry as other Astartes factions, but some kind of psychic might almost always supports them.

Like t??heir patron Chaos god, the Thousand Sons enjoy twisting schemes and meticulous planning. That could come in the form of an attack planned at precisely the right time, as certain celestial bodies align, or a long game of corruption for unsuspecting Imperium citizens. The Legion's goals can often be obscure or seemingly irrelevant until a later revelation announces true intentions.

While the Thousand Sons' fall from grace was tragic, there is no redeeming the Legion now. It ??has committed itself to the dark forces of the Warp and as an enemy of the Imperium. And while the Thousand Sons carry out countless acts of heresy and damnation, Magnus still contemplates his hatred for the father he believes betrayed him.

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The best solo card games aren’t just for killing time. Instead, they’re a great way to experiment with exciting thematic gameplay, strategic deck building, and interesting tabletop narratives. With the ten single player? card games on this list, you’ll won’t have to wait for someone else to take their turn. Instead, you can simply relax and play at your own pace.

10. Hostage Negotiator

Hostage Negotiator is a challenging game of conversational tactics in which you??’ll be up against an anonymous villain with the aim of freeing at least half of the hostages he’s taken. Each round, you’ll have to reveal a new terror card that makes that objective difficult. You’ll also have to track and continuously reduce the threat level of the hostage t??aker’s attitude and actions. Each conversation card you play can potentially save lives.

9. One Deck Dungeon

If you’re a fan of the classic tabletop dungeon crawling experience, you’ll definitely want to give One Deck Dungeon a try. As ??you delve deeper into the dark, you’ll fight monsters, pick up items, and hopefully gather enough XP to level up your character and survive the final boss fight. While it all might sound simple enough, there are actually plenty of unique challenges within the game’s five dungeons, plus a bunch of skill and item combos that I found enjoyable to tinker with. 

8. Friday

Friday is a wickedly challenging solo card game that’s based on the classic novel Robinson Crusoe. Your goal is to help Robinson survive the island and defeat the pirates that arrive near the end of the game. You’ll have a mix of simple fighting cards to start with, and you'll need to improve them if you want to win. In an interesting gameplay twist, you’ll soon discover that the best way to improve your deck is to avoid stepping between Robinson and the island’s hazards and instead let him take a few hi??ts. Deliberately losing at the right time is essential to victory. 

7. Sprawlopolis

In Sprawlopolis, your aim is to build the best city possible by arranging residential, commercial, industrial, and park zones in a way that aligns with three of ?the game’s eighteen possible scoring parameters. These parameters represent th??e demands of the city’s planners. Sometimes you’ll score points for building parks in the city center. Other times you’ll be better off linking up roads to construct a highway. It’s amazing how much each game feels entirely different from the last.

6. The 7th Continent

Explore a vast landscape and lift the curse upon your character in The 7th Continent, a modern adventure card game for one to four players. The wilderness of the newly discovered continent is harsh, and before you can? complete the objectives of your expedition, you?’ll first need to survive. By crafting tools and finding shelter, you can continue your journey outwards and hopefully survive the threats that await you in the wild.

5. Dune Imperium: Uprising

In Dune Imperium, you’ll play as a leader of a Great House looking to conquer Arrakis and forge alliances with factions like the Fremen, the Empire, and the Bene Gesserit. You’ll start with a basic deck of cards and two agents that you can send out on missions. These missions will either increase your diplomatic standing or allow you to h??arvest resources like spice and solari. As you gather more persuasion, you’ll pick up more impactful cards for your deck. These will increase your power on the desert planet. 

4. Palm Island

If you’re looking for a smaller, more portable, single-player card game, then Palm Island is the perfect fit. ?In the box, you’ll find two decks of seventeen cards each. One is for you, and the other is for a potential second player. It’s your job to gather resources on your island, recruit villagers, and score the most victory points over the course of eight rounds. The solo mode is great, and if you do end up playing with two players, you can choose between either cooperative or competitive gameplay.

3. For Northwood!

Play tricks and strategically utilize the power of your allies in For Northwood!, an enjoyable little card game in which your aim is to unite an adorable kingdom of animals. There are twenty-four different rulers to match up against, sixteen challenge scenarios to work on, and a simple yet effective difficulty scali?ng system. To top it all off, the art establishes the perfect atmosphere and theme.

2. Marvel Champions: The Card Game

Marvel Champions is an immensely popular Living Card Game (LCG) that lets you assemble a team of superheroes and pit them against iconic villains from movies and comics. What if Black Panther and Professor X fought Loki? Or what if Peter Parker teamed up with Star-Lord? to take down Dark Phoenix? The match-up possibilities in Marvel Champions feel endless. Since it's a Living Card Game, you’ll always know what’s in every expansion before you buy it. There’s no rarity system and no risk of missing out on your favorite characters??. 

1. Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

In Lord of the Rings: The Card Game, you’ll build a unique deck of heroes, allies, attachments, and events. Then, you'll use your deck against a story encounter that takes place in Tolkien’s Middle Earth. The core game’s three scenarios occur between the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, in and around Mirkwood. However, further expansions add more ??iconic characters to your pool of player cards and will transport you to realms like Moria, Gondor, and even Harad. The customization options available with a full collection are near limitless, and in my experience, building the deck and thinking about thematic combinations of card effects ends up being just as fun as actually playing a scenario.

The post The 10 Best Solo Card Games To Pl?ay By Yourself Th??is Year appeared first on Destructoid.

The perspectives within a comic book world come in many, many forms, and there's no reason your tabletop shou??ld be lacking in options to play with those forms. Whether you're on the hunt for stories about marginalized mutants, sponsored supervillains, or being stuck in a school for the strange, this list of games is here to offer you some options.

10. Agents of BAMF (Fainting Goat Games)

"The capes can't always be There. That's why There's BAMF," so the game declares.
Not everyone in the world is a hero, but that doesn't make them any less skilled. Agents of BAMF presents the side of comics inhabited by the likes of Phil Coulson or Hellboy. Here, players take on the role of super agents working for the kind of alphabet soup organization that you expect to see in comics (SHIELD, The BPRD, Checkmate, AEGIS). The game was forged out of OSR principals, meaning folks with any familiarity with D&D, Pathfinder, or Mörk Borg will quickly find themselves at home as they dispatch supervillains and strange monstro?sities.

9. Masks of the Masks (Hazel Amber Goswick)

Imagine the clock ticking towards doomsday, stark in its monotone contrast against a colorful backdrop, yet still ticking, unendingly, towards the end, no matter how hard you try to study it. That is, in short, what you'll find in Masks of the Masks. Inspired by, and emulating on every page, stories like Watchmen that deconstruct the superhero, this game drips in st?yle and substance. Built on the back of the Powered by the Apocalypse system, this game sees you creating heroes who... aren't necessarily alright... and find themselves solving a conspiracy that is lik?ely to always end in calamity.

8. Neo Guanabara �Cyberpunk Tropicala (Ludus Hero)

Cyberpunk is not often a genre associated with superheroes. Still, Neo Guanabara follows in the footsteps of those brave few, like Batman Beyond, Spider-Man 2099, and, I guess, Loonatics Unleashed. Create your perfect hero with specially designed ?stats to represent their abilities and get ready to battle against criminal gangs, megacorporations, and oppressive governments. The game provides systems to keep the city fluid and makes sure that the impact your heroes leave on the city is felt. Neo Guanabara iterates on mechanics similar to the Cortex system, meaning anyone who got to play Marvel Heroic Roleplaying before it went out of print will be familiar w?ith Neo.

7. Villainous Fucks (KeganEXE)

Why even bother being a hero? Why not give yourself to the other side? The League of Villainous Fucks is always looking for those who are determined to battle against those pesky protectors. The villain, after all, is just as important to the story as the hero. Villainous Fucks is Illuminated by Lumen, so it is designed for quick play and even quicker action. The rules-lite design means that it is made for quickly building a character, d??efining your villain's powers, and then getting straight to the part where you cause mayhem and destroy anybody who thinks they should stop you. What's not to love about your new gig?

6. Hit The Streets: Defend The Block (Rich Rogers)

The greatest joy of Marvel's Defenders Netflix shows is the knowledge, for example, that Daredevil is putting himself through hell to protect a twelve-block area in the middle of Manhattan. No game truly captures that vibe like Hit The Streets does. At all times, you will feel like you're giving it everything you have to defend, like a single apartment complex. Hit The Streets boils down your stats to ??the minutiae of each body part, despite its fast-paced d6-slinging system. It really makes you feel like you're dragging every inch of yourself forward to protect what you've got.

5. Mutants in the Night (Orion D. Black)

We've all seen some variation on an X-Men story where we see that future, the one where the Sentinels win. Dystopic visions of mutant oppression and police state-induced societal decline are seen in Days of Future Past, Logan, and X-Men '97. Mutants in the Night drops you directly into that future and then asks you to survive in it. You'll get a variety of powers to customize your characters alongside all of the factions and troubles occupying the Mutant Safe Zone you're all living in. Mutants in the Night uses Forged In The Dark to expertly thread the needle between narrativ??e-driven and ruthless.

4. Single Unique Power (Possible World Games)

Maybe you're after a game that's a little more laid back for game night. Single Unique Power is a world-building game that asks you to invent a cast of super-powered people and their world. You are asked to simply create individuals that have powers found no where else, completely unique to them. The premise itself takes its cues from media like My Hero Academia, where no one on Earth has the same power as someone else. If you're ever looking to put together a campaign with?? superpowers, here's the b?est way to get your party emotionally invested in the NPCs beforehand.

3. Mutants in the Now/Mutants in the Next (J/K! Games/Julian Kay)

It is the nature of the human being to yearn to become a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Maybe you don't want to specifically be a turtle, but you want to be an animal that fights ninjas and robots and aliens and whatever else you can imagine. Mutants in the Now is here to satisfy that yearning. This game asks you to become a mutated creature with almost limitless ways to battle the forces of evil. If there's one thing I'd tell you about this game, it's that it has options. Options for animals, options for powers, options for ways to fight. Its expansion, Mutants in the Next, doubles ??those options. If ??you can push through the choice paralysis, there are limitless ways to be radical ahead of you.

2. Molotov College (W.H. Arthur)

Molotov College is a game about questions as much as superheroics. Chief among those questions is how you're expected to save the world when there?'s so much wrong with it and with you. Built from the Belonging Outside Belonging system, the game isn't just narrative-first; it's basically narrative-only. Molotov College asks you to play a hero who is tremendously flawed and not on the best terms with your fellow heroes, then confront those flaws and those relationships, and avert disaster. The main inspirations it pulls from are The Umbrella Academy and Doom Patrol, meaning the special flavor of superheroics you'll be doing is particularly off-the-wall and begging for answers.

1. Exceptionals (Bramble Wolf Games)

Previously, I talked about a game that depicts a dystopia for mutant kind. Now, to finish up, Exceptionals brings us the perfect way to play out the X-Men story of your dreams. The tag-based system for making characters lets you flesh out the ways your mutation helps and hinders you. It never loses track of what makes our favorite X-Mutants so beloved, that sense of building a community against the world that wants to put you down. Thriving in the face of adversity, carving out a place to call your own, and shooting stuff with your eye beams are all the reasons that X-Men keeps itself running, and Exceptionals never loses sight of that. Instead, it doubles down on all of that. Powers are detailed and unique; meanwhile, you'll be filling out your bonds and fighting to make ?your little mutant community live on.

The post 10 TTRPGs for a different kind of superhero story appeared first on Destructoid.

The gripping darkness of H.P. Lovecraft’s stories has inspired some undeniably great video game and tabletop adaptions. In this list, we’re highlighting the best Lovecraftian board games and analyzing how well they establish the spellbinding tension and shadowy? atmosphere of the original works. 

10. Elder Sign

The darkened halls of The Miskatonic University Museum hold numerous occult artifacts and primeval knowledge that’s under threat from the Ancient One, a demon from another dimension. In Elder Sign, you and your team of fellow investigators must explore the museum after? nightfal?l and collect coveted symbols that will seal away this evil.

You’ll find the signature Elder Signs when you defeat the game’s randomized scenario cards, which require you to roll dice to match the card’s tasks. Every time the cloc?k strikes midnight, the Ancient One unleashes a new threat.

9. Munchkin Cthulhu

Battle the great and powerful Cthulhu, but this time with insanely goofy thematics and wacky dungeon-crawling gameplay. Munchkin Cthulhu is a standalone board game in the Munchkin series that pits a team of adventurers against the most iconic monster in the Lov??ecraftian Mythos. You’ll find all kinds of recognizable signatures from the source material, including dark curses, mysterious cultists, and globs of evil goo. It’s a great parody version of the classic TTRPG?. 

8. Cthulhu Wars

Do you love the Cthulhu Mythos but are tired of playing as a lowly human investigator? Cthulhu Wars takes place in a scenario in which the Ancient Ones from the beyond have already taken over Earth and are now proceeding to war amongst ??themselves. You’ll take on the role of a terrifying monster hell-bent on destruction and gather power equivalent to the number of cultists and gates under your control. The miniatures in this box are a must for collectors.

7. Cthulhu Fluxx

If you’re looking for something simpler than the other Lovecraft board games on this list, then Cthulhu Fluxx is a g??reat pick. The game's rules change rapidly, ensuring that no two playthroughs are quite the same. Madness and other status cards will affect both how you play and whether or not you can win. Ancient artifacts like the Necronomicon allow you to move monsters over to other players. Secret roles like the Cultist are incredibly fun when you finally get to reveal them.

6. Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu

Though Reign of Cthulhu borrows many elements from the classic Pandemic, it has several excellent twists in both its gameplay and theme that make it a distinct experience. Instead of preventing outbreaks, you’ll have to close portals to the beyond. You’ll also have to stop the cultists from meeting in the towns of Arkham, Innsmouth, Dunwich, and Kingsport. You might be surprised at how great this tabletop title is; I’d even go so far as to argue that it’s more engaging than the original Pandemic. 

5. Eldritch Horror

While most Lovecraftian board games feature claustrophobic adventures in small towns and haunted houses, Eldritch Horror does just the opposite. This time, your team of heroes will travel all across the globe to stop the impending apocalypse. The gameplay is great and offers considerable variety ??depending on the encounter cards you draw and the Ancient One you’re up against. However, the story scenario here feels too abstract to fully capitalize on the best aspects of Lovecraft’s tales.

4. Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Tread carefully through the darkened rooms and corridors of the Mansions of Madness to gather clue??s and uncover mysterious secrets from the beyond. This highly immersive tabletop experience includes four signature scenarios, all with their own layout and hidden puzz??les. To play, you’ll need to download the game’s companion app on either your mobile device or Steam. The app helps you manage room setup and determine the outcome of combat encounters. It also presents a series of puzzles that you’ll have to solve to avoid insanity.

3. Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

The Arkham Horror board game is a classic Lovecraftian adventure in which anywhere from one to eight players race around town to close the rifts between worlds that threaten to unleash the apocalypse. The 1920s aesthetics are excellent, and the game map itself establishes an engaging world. Combat with monsters is satisfying, and you’ll find more replay value here than in Mansions of Madness. However, it doesn’t quite have the same storytelling depth as the card game that goes?? by the same name.

2. Cthulhu: Death May Die

Cthulhu: Death May Die is an epic showdown against the Great Old One that’s insanely enjoyable yet wickedly difficult. You and your fellow players are attempting to defeat a death-worshiping cult and interrupt their summoning ritual. But when you arrive, it’s too late: the madness from beyond has slipped through into your world. Like the aforementioned Elder Sign, the game leans heavily on rolling dice. However, this mechanic works a little bit better here since the gameplay is less swingy. The figurines in this horror board game? are especially awesome for collectors. The artwork is also great.

1. Arkham Horror: The Card Game

The best board game adaption of H.P. Lovecraft’s original works is undoubtedly Arkham Horror: The Card Game, an expansive, highly immersive delve into the Eldritch darkness. Build and customize your deck to give your investigator the tools and allies they need to survive the base game’s thr??ee-part campaign. Then, bolster your card collection with Mythos packs and campaign expansions, introducing new, highly immersive stories you’ll enjoy playing numerous times. Beating the game’s most difficult encounters brings immense satisfaction, but even when the darkness consumes you instead, you’ll still have a great time in this downright classic.   

The post The 10 best board games based on H.?P. Lovecraft, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

The Warhammer 40,000 universe is dominated by war and strife, but it's not all calculated Ultramarine battle lines and space? dogfights. There is another much more primal force at work, tearing through systems and consuming worlds t??o sate a never-ending hunger: Tyranids.

The Tyranids may be the main enemy featured throughout Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, but the game only scratches the surface of the lore. The T??yranids are not an organized faction; it's a hive mind. That is to say, every individual form and creature that's classified as a Tyranid acts in unison as one organism.

Like the titular creature from the film Alien, Tyranids are the ultimate killing machine. The insectoid-like organisms have evolved into multiple forms and subspecies, and Tyranids still use rapid evolution to counter threats in real-time. Alongside these adaptations?? and variations, a constant synaptic connection allows Tyranids to coordinate and employ tactics. This can mean sending a lone Genestealer to infiltrate and ready a world for invasion, using a Carnifex to dismantle defenses, or even evolving into living spacecraft to ferry the Tyranids across the stars.

Galaxy-spanning origins

Humanity encountered Tyranids relatively recently, but all indications point to the organisms being around for some time. Tyranids are not native to our galaxy and, as such, arrived at the edges of known space as early as the 35th millennium. What prompted the Tyranid's long, brutal journey from its home galaxy to ours is not fully understood. Still, some suspect the organism simply consumed everything in its home galaxy and needed? to turn its attention elsewhere to survive.

The Imperium's first encounter with these creatures was on the planet Tyra?n, which is where it earned the name "Tyranid." Once a thriving ocean world, Tyran was reduced to a barren rock within a year of its fall to Tyranids. This would become a staple of Tyranid attacks, as the swarm consumes every organic material on the planet until there's nothing but rocks and dust.

The Tyranid hunger is unending, spreading itself across the galaxy through several Hive fleets, all cont?rolled by a single mind. Each fleet has everything it needs to continue to grow the Tyranid species, including plenty of drones and the abili??ty to transform any raw digested biomass. Tyranids are almost completely indiscriminate in the biomaterial it consumes, meaning even dead Tyranids can be reconstituted. That biomass can be used to create new Tyranid forms, push mutations out to the swarm, or replenish any troops lost in battle.

Bioforms and adaptations

Part of what makes the Tyranids so fearsome is how they can adapt to remain the apex predator. The raw organic materials gained through planetary attacks help keep the never-ending flow of Tyranids coming, and it also allows the organisms to evolve new ways to overtake other life. Tyranids can repurpose the material they consume, so evolutionary traits, ??adaptations, and even memories are only a meal away. Of course, individual Tyranids don't have the autonomy to do this on their own. Biomaterials are digested and then returned to the Hive Ships, where they are reconstituted and then redeployed.

With the biomass to create what it needs and the insight gained by battling resistance, Tyranids have taken multiple shapes and sizes, each with its purpose. Take the lowly Rippers, slug or locust-like forms primarily responsible for devouring and returning biomaterial to the swarm. Rippers aren't a threat alone, but they travel in groups of hundreds or thousands, stripping any usable biomass in their path. Mor??e rank-and-file Tyranids are the Termagant and Hormagaunt, ranged beetle-shooting and melee ground troops, respectively. Even then, more exotic variants exist, such? as the chameleon-like Lictor. Its purpose is to commit stealthy assassinations and devour brains for intel. 

In genuinely horrifying circumstances, the hive mind has been known to deploy a lone Broodlord, which sits in wait until it can infect an unsuspecting civilian with its genes. When they reproduce, they'll unknowingly start a new line of Tyrani??d gene-imbued hybrids that will ev?entually overthrow the civilization generations later with the underground formation of Genestealer Cults. This process produces an easier arrival of the hive fleet, where the infected populace will greet hungry visitors with open arms, seeing them as angels. Even if the Genestealer Cult takeover is unsuccessful, the Tyranid fleet will reach a substantially weakened world.

The Synapse

Coordinating the sheer size of the Tyranid species is no easy task, especially considering the distance between some Hiv??e Fleets. To remedy this, Tyranids employ a synaptic link where lesser Tyranid forms are connected to a commanding creature. This allows the commanding Tyranid to issue orders more directly or intentionally to a group and allows all of the species part of that specific link to act in sync. The synaptic ability of Tyranids has been viewed as a psychic power of sorts, but only the highest-ranking forms have any ability to bend the energies of the Warp.

Commonly, the synaptic link funnels from the hive mind to something known as a Hive Tyrant. These powerful Tyranid variations connect more closely to the hive mind than most. In this way, the hive mind can push distinct orders to its Hi??ve Tyrants all over the galaxy, which can then direct all of the lesser Tyranids within its synaptic link. Hive Tyrants aren't the only Tyranids known to command the synaptic link of others, but they are the most common, and among the most fea?red foes the Tyranids can muster.

However, the synaptic link is as much a weakness as a boon. If the ?Hive Tyrant, or whichever form controls the lower Tyranids' synaptic link, is killed, it wil??l send the lower Tyranids into an uncoordinated frenzy. Sometimes, the psychic shock is even enough to destroy them outright.

The Tyranids represent a threat that the Imperium may have recognized too late: the devouring of the galaxy. With its ability to produce a never-ending conveyor belt of foot soldiers and cunning specialists, innately communicate across the? stars, and adapt to any problem by eating it, the Tyranids may be the most fearsome threat humanity has ever faced. It's likely that the species has already consumed at least one galaxy, and now that it's here, it shows no indications of slowing itself down.

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The deck building card game Dominion has been a long-time staple of the game ??night table for many years.

That’s in no small part due to the variation available with the game’s expansions, which ensure that no two Dominion games are quite the same. The exciting new kingdom cards and interesting new mechanics that each expansion box introduces can often shake up the foundations of the game, and sometimes open up different ways to win beyond getting the most provinces. Let’s take a look at some of the best Dominion expansions for ne??w and returning players alike, in sug??gested purchasing order.

1. Dominion: Intrigue (2nd Edition)

The Intrigue expansion opens up more choices when playing actions, and isn’t too much of a departure from the base game. It’s a great pick for beginning to expand your Dominion collection, and isn’t any more difficult than the base game. M?any of the kingdom cards here will allow you to select which of their functions you’re going to use each time you play them, while others are blended victory and action cards. Masquerade is my personal favorite action from the box; it forces everyone at the table to pass a card to the player on their left.

2. Dominion: Prosperity (2nd Edition)

Prosperity introduces colonies and platinums, both of which increase the scale of Dominion by allowing you to build more powerf?ul decks. Platinums are treasure cards with five buying power, while colonies give players ten victory points. Cards like the quarry and the bank also allow you to buy more on your turn, while additions like expand and?? king’s court will open up huge, action-packed turns.

3. Dominion: Renaissance

If you’re looking for a Dominion experience that’s reasonably similar to the core game but brings in a few more mechanics than Intrigue, then I’d highly recommend Renaissance. This box introduces villagers and coffers, which essentially function as reserve actions and coins that you can bank for later turns. Renaissance also includes project cards, which are one-time buys that ??let you do more on future turns with discounts on actions, more coins, or more trashing po?wer.

4. Dominion: Hinterlands (2nd Edition)

Hinterlands is easy to understand yet difficult to master, which makes it one of the best Dominion expansions. It includes a wide selection of interesting reaction cards, such as the tunnel and trail, that function best when you’re discarding them during your action phase. Many of the cards also trigger when you buy them, not just play them. Other actions, such as the crossroads and the inn, make it easy to filter through your deck without trashing, which allows you to pick up more victory cards in the middle of the game without ??penalty.

5. Dominion: Seaside (2nd Edition)

The best part of the Dominion Seaside expansion is undoubtedly its orange duration cards, which provide lingering effects that shake up your next turn. The outpost is an interesting addition to the game because it essentially allows you to take another turn. The tactician is also incredibly? powerful, allowing players to start their next turn with ten cards in hand. The island mechanic, which lets you to remove cards from your deck without trashing them, also makes for an exciting game. 

6. Dominion: Adventures

If you’re looking for a Dominion expansion that introduces a ton of new mechanics, then you’ll definitely want to consider the Adventures box. You’ll get a set of traveler cards, which are essentially upgradable actions. You’ll also get to tinker with reserve actions, which you can se?t aside for future use and recall when needed. The expansion also includes a big set of event cards that allow you to spend your money on an event rather than on a new card. 

7. Dominion: Empires

Dominion’s Empires expansion is the biggest, most grandiose version of the game, and functions best with the platinums and colonies from the Prosperity expansion. If you don’t have Prosperity, you can also pick these cards up in the smaller Dominion base cards box, though it doesn’t include any actions. Cards in the Empires expansion like forum and city Quarter give incredible draw, but often require you to take debt tokens. Treasures like ‘crown�and ‘fortune' can literally double your money in a given turn. If you’re a fan of building large-scale engines, then Empires is best expansion for you.

8. Dominion: Dark Ages

On the other side of the scale from Empires is the Dark Ages expansion, which sits players down in a small-scale game of ruthless?? attacks and trashing. Instead of estates, players start the game with shelters, which they should try to trash as soon as possible. If you’re playing with cards like the marauder, your deck will be full of ruins, which are useless actions that you’ll also need to get rid of if you want to dig your way out of the muck toward a province. It’s a high difficulty expansion, and best for those who enjoy more in-depth strategy games. 

9. Dominion: Nocturne

The Nocturne expansion introduces the night phase, which takes place after your buy phase and allows you to use ‘night�cards without spending actions. Examples include the monastery, the crypt, and the vampire, all of which have thematically appropriate effects. Boons and hexes are also a neat addition to the game. In my expe??rience, it’s more difficult to mix the cards in this box with thos??e from other expansions, but what’s here still makes for a fun, spooky game night. 

10. Dominion: Rising Sun

Dominion Rising Sun is the newest expansion for the game, and arguably one of the best. It introduces shadow cards, prophecies, omens, and on-play debt, all of which combine for a fun yet challenging experience. Just like Dark Ages, it’s definitely best for those who have a firm grasp of the game and have already played some of the earlier expansions. Duration cards from Seaside, events from Adventures, and debt from Empires all return in this box. 

The post The Best Dominion Card Game Expansions To Get Now appeared first on Destructoid.

While it of course feels great to be the hero and save the day, there are many tabletop games that can be just as fun when you’re embracing a more villainous or morally grey role instead. Tired of thwarting evil plans and feel? like hatching a few of your own? With the ten board games on this list, you can scheme, sabotage, and backstab your way to victory. 

1. Letters from Whitechapel

Jack the Ripper takes center stage in Letters from Whitechapel, a hidden movement game that centers around the police’s efforts to catch the infamous villain before he can claim his next victim. One of the players is Jack, and has a concealed map and notepad on which they’ll be writing down their movements across London. The other players will investigate sinister crime scenes and try to arrest Jack. If they prevent him from reaching his hideout? before he gets to all his victims, they also win. The dark and gritty Victorian theme makes this board game a gripping experience.

2. Betrayal at the House on the Hill (3rd Edition)

In Betrayal at the House on the Hill, you and your fellow investi?gators and ghost hunters will explore the dark hallways, creaky attics, and spooky basements of a haunted house. At the start of the game, it would appear that you’re all on the same team. But as you continue to open new rooms and discover the terrifying secrets within, one of your number will turn against the others. If you’re selected as the betrayer, you’ll need to stop the others from leaving the house alive. 

3. Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark Side

In Star Wars Villainous, players take on the role of one of the most evil characters in the entire galaxy, such as Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, or Asajj Ventress. Each villain has its own secret missions and objectives that match the movies and keep the gameplay fresh. There’s still plenty of interaction with heroes like Luke and Obi-Wan, but this time they’ll aid in reducing the strength of your opponent's board. Star Wars Villainous is also one of our overall favorite Star Wars board games.

4. The Others

The city of Haven and its inhabitants stands as the last safeguard against the forces of Hell in The Others board game. It’s a one-against-m??any setup in which someone at your table will be playing as one of the seven Deadly Sins, in physical manifest. Everyone else works for an organization known as FAITH, and must team up against the evil player to save the world from apocalyptic annihilation. 

5. The Resistance: Avalon

Avalon is a game of secret roles and social deduction in which a few of the players at the table will attempt to sabotage the heroes�quests. Classic villains like Mordred and Morgana will be known to each other, while the others aiding evil, such as Oberon, act ?as wild cards. The players collectively vote on who will go on the quest each round. If just one evil is amongst the voted-in party, the villain can fail the quest. This can simultaneously make the other players that went on the quest appear suspicious.

6. Dead by Daylight: The Board Game

The tabletop adaption of Dead by Daylight is a surprisingly successful rendition of the original game. The person playing as the killer will need to sneak up on the survivors and eliminate them one by one. Everyone else at the table will need to stick together if they hope to survive. Repairing the generators ??spread across the board will open an escape route, and if any of the survivors make it out, they win. Each killer has its own set of unique skills that can make the game unpredictable for the survivors.

7. Not Alone

In the distant future, a space exploration team is shipwrecked on the mysterious planet Artemia and hunted by a dangerous apex predator. In Not Alone, one person will play as the creature, while everyone else will be a survivor whose goal is of course to live long enough to leave the planet. The survivors can attempt to confuse the Creature in its hunting process by putting down place cards. The art here is particularly noteworthy, and the strange, colorful landscapes do a great job of distinguishing the game from the likes of Alien.

8. Disney Villainous: The Worst Takes Them All

Disney has no shortage of iconic baddies, and Disney Villainous brings them all together to create a fun competition in which you’ll find out who’s the most wicked of them all. The thematic ally cards, items, and character boards ensure that playing as each villain is a unique experience. You’ll also have different objectives that match your character and their evil goals from their respective Disney movie. There ar??e plenty of alternate versions of the game that work exactly the same, so you can easily pick the one that lets you play as your favorite characters. 

9. Beast

Beast takes players to a mysterious fantasy world known as the Northern Expanse. It’s a land in which wicked, monstrous beasts roam around forests and mountains, attempting to snack on humans. The hunters will need to track down the player who takes on the role of the Beast by venturing out into the wilds, following tracks, and deducing where the enemy creatures will turn up next. The world of Beast is great fun to explore, and contains all kinds of strange beings th??at are brought to life by t??he game’s gorgeous artwork.

10. Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game

If you’ve always wanted to take control of your very own zombie horde, then Last Night on Earth ??will be just the ticket. Some of the players are heroes looking to escape the horde, and will have their own unique methods of survival. There a?re several scenarios to play through and each game has a randomized board layout that changes where the heroes will start. The classic, campy zombie movie vibes always make for a great time. 

The post 10 Awesom??e Board Games That Let You Pla??y as the Villain appeared first on Destructoid.

In Warhammer 40,000, the Ultramarines are synonymous with the Space Marines. The blue-clad warriors are practically the poster children for the faction, often appearing as the defacto Legion whenever Space Marines are featured in video games or other visual media. But the Ultramarines are more than just generic Space Marine fodder. The Legion has a rich history with a Greco-Roman flair and even has a s??till-living Primarch.

Space Marines, or Adeptus Astartes, are the genetically and surgically enhanced super soldiers of the Imperium of Man. Space Marines were originally categorized and separated by Legion, with each of the original 20 Legions led by a Primarch. Primarchs are "sons" of the Emperor of Mankind, genetically engineered to embody?? a specific aspect of the Emperor. Eventually, during the 31st millennium, a schism emerged amongst the Primarchs, leading to a civil war between Legion??s known as the Horus Heresy. In the aftermath of the conflict, a doctrine called the Codex Astartes was created, serving in some ways to police the Space Marine Legions and split them into smaller Chapters.

Ideology of Ultramarines

Ultramarines have a reputation for being strict adherents to rules and honor, with the Codex Astartes serving as their guiding light. The Ultramarine Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, authored the doctrine himself, and its direction on organization and tactics helped all loyal Space Marine Legions navigate the chaotic period following the Horus Heresy. Though the Ultramarines have many successor Chapters, most still recognize and follow the Legion's ideologies. However, the ??Legion isn't just a collection of compassionless soldier-bureaucrats. Unlike many other still-loyal Space Marine Legions, Ultramarines regularly work ?and live alongside ordinary humans.

Guilliman was raised to respect and care for all of those around him, and that trait has largely extended throughout the rest of the Legion. Ultramarines regular?ly seek insight and collaboration with their lesser counterparts, whether supporting a battle-locked g?roup of Imperial Guard, sprinting back into the fray to save civilians, or even advancing out of service to become an Ultramar senator alongside human politicians.

While it's easy to imagine every Ultramarine as the same, that's not quite the ca??se. After 10,000 years since Legions were first ?forced to splinter into Chapters, there are some notable differences between Ultramarine organizations and their interpretation of the Codex Astartes. Some of these Chapters even veer to the extreme. Take, for example, the Novamarines Chapter. Believing Guilliman's text in the Codex Astartes to be sacred, they have been known to become violent if they witness other Space Marines stray too far from its teachings.

On the other hand, there are Chapters like the Iron Snakes, whose int??erpretation of justice and adherence to rules see prisoners tied to large rocks in the oceans of their planet, Ithaka. There, giant sea serpents called Wyrms deal out sentencing. If the Wyrms don't claim the accused after six hours, they're an unworthy snack for the beasts and guilty of their crimes.

Protectors of Ultramar

The homeworld of the Ultramarines is Macragge, but that's just the crown jewel in the swathe of space they oversee, known as the 500 Worlds of Ultramar. Where other Space Marine Legions are content with their space-bound fortresses or isolated homeworlds, the Ultramarines?? want to build civilizations. Other than the realm of Ultramar, only Sol (Earth) via the Imperium and Mars via the Adeptus Mechanicus are allowed to colonize worlds in the name of humanity, making the 500 Worlds something of an exception.

Not only are the Ultramarines and the 500 Worlds of Ultramar a beacon for humanity, but they're also involved in some of the most notable events in the Warhammer 40,000 timeline. During the Horus Heresy, when the 500 Words were cut off from the rest of the Imperium by massive Warp storms, Guilliman founded Imperium Secundus, an acting form of governmental cohesion for Ultramar centered o?n Macgragge. Guilliman's idea in establishing Imperium Secundus was that the 500 Worlds and other loyal planets cut off from the Imperium still needed law and order, and he'd provide that until the Warp storms subsided. More recently, Ultramar was host to iconic conflicts and events like Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade and the Plague Wars.

Outside of just Macragge itself, most of Ultramar's planets are self-sufficient, featuring sprawling cities, industrial zones, farm regions, and bodies of water. Many Ultramar worlds are modeled after Greco-Roman civilizations featuring senate halls and amphitheaters woven into the fabric of society. This is a far cry from what's seen with typical words within th?e Imerpium, often suffering from uncontrolled overpopulation or rampant environmental hazards, sometimes even to the knowledge or design of the ruler. For most other Space Marine Legions specifically, many prefer relative solitude or the stoic company that only their brother Space Marines can provide. 

Tactical generalists

While many Space Marine Legions are known for their specific quirk, like how the Space Wolves are essentially Space Marine werewolves, the Ultramarines don't really have one. These quirks are usually represented in how a Legion conducts itself in battle, w?ith the aforementioned Space Wolves mounting giant wolves and fielding their Wulfen (werewolf) warriors. If anything, Ultramarines' quirk is that they're rule-abiding and love politics. As such, aside from doing things by the book, the Legion doesn't really have a flashy combat identity. Ultramarines are often depicted as generalists, not specializing in one particular field but possessing the flexibility to adapt to any circumstance.

Though being a generalis??t isn't as flashy as being a sci-fi werewolf or a master of subterfuge, it does have its advantages. Ultramarines reevaluate situations as they develop, allowing the Legion to fall back, flank, or hunker down as needed. Interestingly Ultramarines have the record to back this strategy up, bolstering so??me of the highest assignment success rates among Legions.

Ultramarines are typically equipped with a bolt gun, as with many Space Marine legions, but they usua?lly forgo the iconic chainsword for a short sword called a gladius. The gladius is a power weapon, trading the chainsaw teeth of a chainsword for a destructive energy field encasing the blade. Ultramarines can also use almost any other type of standard Space Marine gear, including plasma weaponry, jump packs, Dreadnoughts, and more.

Regardless of the perils involved, humanity can be sure that the Ultramarines will be on the front line of its defense. The Legion may appear just to be blue Spa??ce Marines,?? but they're among the most loyal and skilled warriors in the Imperium.

The post Warhammer 40K: Who are the Ultramarines? appeared first on Destructoid.

Cryptic clues, challenging investigations, and mysterious murderers not only make for a great novel, but they are also the perfect setup for a fun, thematic board game. If you’re a fan of the classic whodunit, then you’ll enjoy each of the ten murder mystery board?? games on our list. Every title we’re highlighting here has fun puzzles, interesting twists, and gripping gameplay that will make you feel smarter than Sherlock Holmes when you finally solve the case. 

1. Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

In Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, each player is de??alt a secret role and must convince the others that they’re innocent. One of the other people at the table is a killer, and depending on the number of players, they might have an accomplice. The person who draws the role of the forensic scientist helps the investigators by identifying som?e of the key details amongst available the clues and potential murder weapons. If everyone’s accusations are incorrect, or if the time runs out, the killer gets away.

2. Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game

Detective blends classic clue gathering with FBI forensics, and to great effect. This mix ensures that every crime is satisfying to solve because of how many tools are at your disposal. Youâ€??™ll of course need to break out the pin board and some?? red string, but you’ll also get to spend some time perusing the Antares Database, an online resource that aids the investigators in their work with key details about each suspect.

3. Whitehall Mystery

A mysterious killer is on the loose in London, and your team of investigators in Whitehall Mystery needs to track him down and catch him. One player takes on the role of the murderer himself, aiming to ?cover up his? tracks by landing on four different spaces spread across the board. The detectives will have to deduce which roads, alleyways, and boats the killer will take. They’ll also need to investigate locations to find out if the killer has already been there. It’s a great board game if you want to skip right to the most action-packed part of the case.

4. Suspects: Claire Harper Takes the Stage

Three mysteries await you in Suspects: Claire Harper Takes the Stage, each with a unique theme and twist that matches the 1930s setting in which the stories take place. The art style of the maps, family trees, and other clues spread throughout the gam??e environment is incredible, and aid in making this an unmissable adventure for fans of classic mysteries.

5. Exit: The Game- Dead Man on the Orient Express

Exit: The Game is a series of escape room kits, with each box containing exciting new puzzles and riddles based on a particular theme. In Dead Man on the Orient Express, the story revolves around a mysterious murder on a train, with details that are, of course, similar to Agatha Christie’s famous novel Murder on the Orient Express. As far as the Exit series goes, this box is on the more difficu?lt side, but that’s perfect for fans who love solving a challenging whodunit. 

6. Cryptic Killers: Murder of a Millionaire

Though the Cryptic Killers series isn’t a board game in the traditional sense, it’s an fun tabletop experience that’s sure to be a game night hit. Each case file has a collection of evidence that players will need to carefully examine. The evidence includes things like newspapers, photographs, letters, and texts. You’ll have to break codes, solve complex cyphers, and start in-depth discussions in order to solve the case. Murder of a Millionaire is the best-selling Cryptic Killers mystery, with a difficulty rating of 3.5/5. However, if you you want a more challenging experience, there are plenty of other Cryptic Killers kits.

7. Mysterium

In Mysterium, you and your fellow psychics investigate a haunted mansion to gather clues from the beyond that help you solve a murder. One of the players is a ghost who communicates only with abstract, spectral images that look like something out of a strange dream. Small details in the artwork will help you find out who the killer is, what weapon they used, and of course, where the crime was committed. The clock is against you, and if dayl??ight rises without everyone having gathered their clues, the entire team is defeated.

8. Chronicles of Crime

Chronicles of Crime is an app-integrated game ??that requires players to scan the QR codes on the locations and cards in play to investigate? them. This is an innovative mechanic that allows you to search virtual 3D crime scenes and talk to suspects using your phone or tablet. Some of the game’s mysteries interlace with one another, though there isn’t a strict campaign, which means you can start with any case. 

9. Blood on the Clocktower

When the town storyteller is murdered by a mysterious demon, the villagers of Ravenswood Bluff must work together to identify who is secretly an agent of the forces of evil. Anywhere from 6 to 20 people people can play Blood on the Clocktower together, and in this case it’s the more the merrier. Durin??g the day phase, everyone will discuss who think is evil, and if the majority agree that someone is evil, that person is executed. During the night phase, the demons will choose their next victim. Everyone has an individual role, which means everyone knows something different.

10. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: ??Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures

Fancy yourself to be a detective as clever as Sherlock Holmes? Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures is the ultimate test of your investigative abilities. In front of you are maps of Whitechapel and greater London, a story booklet that details the case, and a series of newspapers through which you can search for clues. You’ll need to decide what locations are worth visiting and who you should interrogate before you run out of time. The Victorian-era settin??g in which the story takes place is richly detailed and incredibly well-realized. t’s not an easy game, but when you do finally manage to deduce the correct details, you’ll feel like an absolute genius.

The post The 10 Best Murder Mystery Board Games Weâ€????™ve Ever Played appeared first on Destructoid.

The most memorable board gaming moments are the ones that make you laugh, whether from a silly drawing or an absurd combination of cards. In our experience, the funniest board games are those that lean into the realm of com?plete ridiculousness while giving the players a chance to be creative. Below you'll find our picks for the best comedy tabletop ga??mes. We can pretty much guarantee that they will all make everyone at your party or game night laugh hysterically.

10. Munchkin

Delving into dungeons, gathering loot, and slaying dragons might sound like serious business, but in Munchkin, they all become a hilarious experience instead. The game’s ridiculous design and goofy artwork work best for those who are closely familiar with fantasy gaming tropes, but can still make just about anyone laugh. So put on the kneepads of allure? and the boots of butt-kicking, equip the unnatural axe extension, and prepare to face the net troll.

9. Cards Against Humanity

This classic raunchy card game might be a tad overplayed these days, but it still deserves a place on this list. It brings about some of the most ridiculously funny discussions, and the card combinations always offer comedy that feels like it’s coming out of left field. The game’s expansions ensur?e that there’s no shortage of obscene nonsense- even for the players who have already seen all the classic card combos. 

8. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

For those seeking a more family-friendly comedy game night, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza might be just the ticket. Don’t get too distracted by the cute and funny art during the game- you’ll need to pay close attention to what card is being played. If that card matches the word that the player annou??nces that turn, you’ll need to slap your hand down on the pile before anyone else in order to claim the cards. There are also some fun extra action cards such as the groundhog and the gorilla that will keep you on your toes.

7. UNO Show ‘Em No Mercy

Perhaps the funniest part of classic UNO is frustrating the person sitting beside them and making them pick up a bunch of cards when they thought they were getting close to victory. UNO Show ‘Em No Mercy tak??es that comedic moment and puts it on center stage. Instead of drawing four cards, now you can make your neighbor draw 10. Instead of skipping one player, you can skip everyone. It’s so ruthless and nonsensical that it somehow becomes even funnier than ever.

6. One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a game of secret roles in which one or more of the people i?n your village is secretly a werewolf. Baseless accusations, lying to your friends, and loudly proclaiming your innocence are of course all essential if you want to emerge victorious. It’s easy for anyone to pick up and learn, but the closer the group, the more comedic the game becomes.

5. Wavelength

Wavelength doesn’t always have to be a comedy experience, but when it’s funny, it’s really funny. One player will have a dial on which a needle is pointing to a specific location, and everyone else will try to read their mind to find the needle’s exact position. Clues are given using cards with binaries on them, such as “dictatorship/democracy�or “not huggable/huggable� and the clue giver will need to pick a word rel?ated to these spectrums that moves the other players in the right direction.  

4. Balderdash

Balderdash is a classic board game that’s popular for good reason- it’s quick, accessible, and endlessly comedic. Each round, one of the players will receive a complex word and its definition, and will have to come up with a fake defini?tion for ?the word that sounds believable. Then, they read both their own definition and the real one aloud. The other players then have to guess which definition is the real one. Successful bluffs and correct guesses both merit points.

3. Snake Oil

Snake Oil is a party game that pits rival merchants against one another in the Old West. At the beginning of the game you are dealt a hand of cards with words that you’ll need to combine into a silly yet somehow marketable product. Then, it’s your job to sell your snake oil to the round’s buying player with a 30 se?cond pitch. The game supports up to 10 players, and we’ve noticed on this occasion in particular, it’s the more the merrier. 

2. Telestrations

Telestrations is like Pictionary but with a significantly more engaging twist. You’ll start out by drawing a word as per usual, and then pass the drawing over to the next player- but this time without anyone else seeing it. That person has to guess what it is, and then pass their guess over to the next player, who in turn draws that guess. It effectively becomes a telephone game in which the changes are evident in everyone’s silly sketches. Beyond the comedy, it’s also one of the best party board games for adults that we’ve ever played.

1. Monikers

Monikers is a hilarious, easy to play charades-like card game that just about everyone will enjoy (though we’ll note it’s really best for 18+). You’ll get a hand of cards with famous celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters. In the first round, you can act and give clues, but you can’t say the actual name on the card. In the second round, you can only say one word. In the third round, it’s all up to your charades skills. Good luck acting out "Donald Trump's hands". It’s guaranteed? to be insanely funny no matter what, and for? that reason, it’s at the top of our list. It’s also perfect for just about any group size, welcoming anywhere from 4-16 players.

The post The 10 Funniest Board Games We’ve Ever Pla??yed, Ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

Perilous adventures and conflicts are seemingly everywhere in Middle Earth, and take center stage in more than a few excellent board games and tabletop RPGs. Today we’re highlighting the best of these adaptions of Tolkien’s wor??k, based on both gameplay mechanics and how well each title uses this epic fantasy world to its advantage. If you’ve read the books or seen any of the films, then chances are you’ll enjoy every ounce of the thematic tension that each of the games on this list has to offer.

10. War of the Ring: the Card Game

War of the Ring: the Card Game is a great adaption of the acclaimed board game that goes by the same name. The card game is arguably more accessible than the original; game time is shorter, and in my experience, works best with four players. One team plays as Sauron and the other tries to keep them at bay while Frodo completes his epic hiking trip. Battles are fought over location cards, with characters contributing swords and shields to the conflic?t. The game ends after nine rounds?? or if one team is more than ten points ahead. 

9. Lord of the Rings: the Confrontation

Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation is a short and snappy game of Stratego-like unit placement that experienced players can complete in under 30 minutes. It’s the classic tale of Middle Earth good vs. evil, but with characters bringing thematic powers to the table that complement each player’s tactics cards. I’ve ranked it a bit lower on this list because it can be tricky to get your hands on these d?ays, but it absolutely deserves a place on this list.

8. The Fellowship of the Ring: Deck-Building Game

In The Fellowship of the Ring deck-building game, you’ll play as one of the most iconic heroes in Middle Earth and gather a mix of allies, artifacts, and location cards. Each increases the strength of your deck and moves you closer to victory. Many elements of the game will feel familiar to fans of the popular deck builder Dominion, but the cards here are admitte??dly mor?e flavourful, showcasing character images and quotes from the movie.

7. The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom

If you’re looking for an easy to learn cooperative tabletop game that takes place in Middle Earth, Adventure to Mount Doom is a solid choice. It relies heavily on rolling dice to move the members of the Fellowship towards Mount Doom, balancing luck with reasonable strategic decision making. While the game’s map-style board is definitely a far-cry from canon, it still offers many?? fun thematic elements, including separate card decks for locations like Gondor, Rohan, and Minas Morgul. 

6. The Battle of the Five Armies

The climactic final battle of The Hobbit takes center stage in this game, which is a sequel to the acclaimed War of the Ring board game. In The Battle of the Five Armies board game, one player takes on the role of Bolg and his host of orcs, while the other player co?ntrols the Free Peoples of Middle Earth. Gandalf, Bilbo, and Beorn can play a key role in ?gameplay, though for the most part you’ll be commanding armies rather than individual characters. 

5. The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Book Game

The LOTR Adventure Book Game is a surprisingly enjoyable walkthrough of all the major events of Lord of the Rings, and adheres more closely to the films. The game is a great pick for fans of the f?ranchise who aren’t feeling up to playing the more? complicated games on this list. Each player grabs a character token and begins their journey on their starting position at Bag End, on the first page. Over the course of eight chapters, they’ll move the Ring closer to its destruction.

4. The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth

Journeys in Middle Earth is a cooperative campaign game that perfectly balances exploration and combat. It leans significantly on its companion app, which tells players how to set up tiles and resolve location discovery and combat. It would be nice if more of these functions could be completed on the table, but overall, Journeys in Middle Earth in an excellent experience for series fans. As an added bonus, the minatures look great and ?there plenty of fun expansions.

3. War of the Ring (2nd Edition)

The second edition of War of the Ring is a downright classic that pits the Free Peoples against the forces of Sauron in an epic, large-scale conflict. If you’re playing as Sauron, you’ll need to strike hard and fast, before Gondor and Rohan have time to rally troops. If you’re f??acing off a??gainst the shadow, you’ll instead need to hold fast and wait for the Ring to reach the fires of Mount Doom.

2. The Lord of the Rings RPG 5e

The world of Middle Earth is undeniably an excellent setting for a tabletop roleplaying campaign, and The Lord of the Rings RPG 5e gives players the perfect starting point for such a journey. The rules of the original DnD 5e are adapted to match Tolkien’s fantasy world, with easy-to-use stat lines available for just about any adversary in Middle Earth. There is also an exciting new expansion book, Moria: Shadow of Khazad-dûm, which offers even more incredible maps and artwo??rk.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

Lord of the Rings: The Card Game takes players to every corner of Middle Earth with incredible story-based quests and campaigns. Gameplay is cooperative, and player decks are endlessly customizable and easy to build thematically. The game rewards players for prioritizing their favorite factions and playing the quests that explore the regions of Middle Earth that most interest them. Some of the LOTR LCG expansions allow players to recreate the most iconic scenes from the books, while others explore territories as far reaching as the Iron Hills and the depths of Moria. In terms of scale, customization, and adventure, The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game rules them all.

The post The 10 Best Lord of the Rings Tabletop Games to? Play in? 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

The year is 1920, and a new conflict is rising from the ashes of the First World War. In the alternate reality in which the Scythe board game takes place, five major factions look to claim as much of Europe as possible using destructive, steam-powered mechs. ?At the heart of the continent lies The Factory, a technological? marvel that every great leader seeks to control. 

Interested in starting or expanding your journey into the world of Scythe? In this article, we’re breaking down all the available products, expan??sions, and spin-off games to help you expe??rience the best that this incredible strategy board game has to offer. 

How to Start Playing Scythe

The base game is, as you might have guessed, the best place to start playing Scythe. There are five playable factions, each with their own unique ability and geographic advantage: Polonia, Rusviet, Saxony, Crimea, and the Nords. Each faction also h?as a different character miniature, a set of four mechs, and ?eight workers.

Engine building is a key component of a successful Scythe strategy. A majority of the game’s points are awarded for actions like building structures, manufacturing mechs, and generating resources. However, combat with other factions will still play a key role in most games. A pair of special objective cards are also dealt to each player at the beginning of the game, ensuring? that there are many paths to victory.

Scythe Board Game Expansions

There are three major expansions for Scythe, along with one smaller expansion with new encounter cards. If you’ve already played the base game but want to discover all that the game has to offer, we recommend purchasing the expansions in the following order: Invaders from Afar, The Wind Gambit, The Rise of Fenris, and finally, Scythe Encounters. Read on to find out more? details about each one.

1. Scythe: Invaders from Afar Expansion

Invaders from Afar adds? two new playable factions, Albion and ??Togawa, and allows players to expand the maximum player count to seven. Both of the new factions favor experienced players, with the Togawa faction being particularly difficult to master- though for that exact reason I find it to be particularly enjoyable to play. Additional player mats, resource tokens, and coins are also included to ensure there’s enough for everyone in a seven-player game.

2. Scythe: The Wind Gambit Expansion

The Wind Gambit adds two new awesome layers to the game: airships and resolution cards. Airships are a type of unit with randomized abilities that can easily move across rivers and lakes. Unlike mechs, you don’t need to build your airship; the miniature starts at your home base and can depart right away. Resolution cards, on ?the other hand, primarily affect the end of the game. They add unique win conditions, shared objectives, and other new scoring mechanics.

3. Scythe: Rise of Fenris Expansion

The last of the three major Scythe expansions, the Rise of Fenris, adds a campaign experience that further builds out the alternate reality in which the game takes place. The new content is unlocked gradually over the course of eight story-driven chapters and eleven game modules. It also includes a nice campaign book for tracking all the lingering effects of your decisions and play style from session to session. The story serves as a good conclusion for the original Scythe ?premise, and is thus usually the last of the three main expansions that you should play.

4. Scythe Encounters 

Though it’s not technically considered an expansion by Stonemaier Games, Scythe Encounters is an excellent addition to the base game that doubles the size of the encounter deck using new promo cards that the game’s fans had ??a hand in developing. They make each playthrough more unpredictable, and are best for experienced players looking to shake things up. Once you have these encounter cards, you’ll pretty much always include them.

More Scythe Board Games

There are two additional standalone board games set in the world of Scythe. Each offers its own unique gameplay experience, and each is a fairly radical departure from the original Scythe board game-though in completely different ways.

Expeditions

Expeditions is the direct sequel to Scythe, and takes players out to the expanses of Siberia in search of the site where a mysterious meteorite recently hit Earth. Players focus on exploring tiles and gathering power to stop the spread of supernatural corruption, and will also have an upgradeable mech that makes it easier to explore new places. Engine building is still a key component of gameplay, and the incredible art style from the first title makes a welcome return, but beyond that, Expeditions is a completely new game.

My Little Scythe

Though the themes and art style of Scythe are pretty dark and gritty, the game still inspired a fun spin-off that targets younger players and replaces mechs with cute animals. My Little Scythe uses many of the same base mechanics a??s the original, but simplifies them in a way that makes them accessible and easier to manage. The end result is a fun experi??ence for all ages. Though it might look goofy, it’s actually great.

My Little Scythe: Pie in the Sky Expansion

Pie in the Sky uses many of the same ideas as the original Scythe’s expansions. It adds airships, more player tokens, and the playable owl and arctic fox animals, along with the appropriate matching minatures. If you enjoyed playing My Little Scythe, you’re definitely going to love this adorable expansi??on.

Even More Scythe

Can’t? get enough of this incredible strategy board game and its fascinating alternate version of history? There?? are even more ways to improve your play experience.

The Legendary Box

If you’re looking for the ultimate storage solution for all your Scythe expansions and minatures, then Stonemaier’s official Legendary Box will be just the ticket. It includes individual boxes for all o??f the gam??e’s expansions, and puts Jakub Rozalski’s iconic artwork front and center.

Scythe: Realistic Resources Pack

The Realistic Resources Pack is a great way to upgrade the visual appeal of your Scythe board. I??t replaces the original resource tokens with col?orful new metal ones shaped to look like chopped wood, oil barrels, metal bars, and bags of food. 

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The acclaimed deckbuilding board game Dominion continues to shine in its newest expansion, Dominion: Rising Sun, which hits shelves in September. The box includes 25 exciting new kingdom cards and introduces prophecies, omens and shadow cards, all of which shake?? up the core mechanics of the game in f??un ways.

Fans can also purchase and play Rising Sun right now using Temple Gate Game’s digital version of the game, available on mobile devices and Steam.

Looming prophecies and omens

As a long-time fan of Dominion, I find it amazing how well designer Donald X Vaccarino continues to mix up the core experience of the original game, especially when yo??u consider that 15 other expansions have come out before this one.

Rising Sun’s prophecy cards, in particular, have incredibly impactful effects on the game state. However, they take time to activate and won’t trigger until you play enough actions with the “omen�card type. Th?e most dramatic example is Divine Wind, which removes all kingdom cards from the supply and replaces them with ten new ones. Now, that’s a literal game-changer.

Cards come forth from the shadows

Many of the new Dominion: Rising Sun cards have the shadow card type, which allows you to play them dir??ectly from your deck. These actions have a special backing to make them easily identifiable; the??y are also placed on the bottom of your deck after shuffling.

Many of these cards, such as Fishmonger and Alley, have simple effects. However, their rate of recurrence makes them more powerful than they appear at? first glance. The Ninja, which has a similar attack to the core box’s Militia, also makes great thematic use of the new shadow mechanic.

Expanding your kingdom eastward

After some delays related to debt token creation, the Dominion Rising: Sun release date is finally almost here. Even after only a few games with the expansion’s suggested kingdom card sets, I already comfortably say that it’s my favorite Dominion expansion since the release of Renaissance back in 2018. However, this box is definitely tailored towards more experienced players. It reintroduces mechanics such as debt and events without much fanfare. If you’re interested in other exciting additions to your Dominion collection besides Rising Sun, make sure to check out our ranking of the best Dominion expansions.

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Interested in setting out into the world of board gaming but feeling overwhelmed with the quantity and complexity of your choices? In this list, we’re highlighting 10 of the best board games for beginners that won’t break the bank an??d have high replay value. You might've heard of some of our picks before; they’re classics of their respective genres an??d have won over many fans. Others are exciting new titles that highlight how fun, engaging, and dynamic board gaming can be for players who are completely new to the hobby.

1. Dominion

Dominion is a great introduction to deck-building and always welcome at the game night table. Your goal is to get as many victory point cards as possible before the game ends. However the victory points also slow you down because they don’t do anything during the game. Instead, you’ll need to add a solid mix of treasure and action cards to ensure you have enough card draw and buying power. There’s also a big selection of Dominion expansions that allow you to slowly increase the game’s complexity, which is a great mec??hanic for newer board gamers. 

2. Forest Shuffle

In Forest Shuffle, the goal is to build the best ecosystem by planting trees and attaching sets of animals and other plants to your forest. Each card type has different set bonuses and traits that you’ll need to align before winter arrives at the end? of the game. It’s a relaxing, refreshingly straightforward card game that’s more focused on what you’re building than on competitive gameplay. 

3. PARKS

PARKS is your chance to explore the natural beauty and wonders of America’s National Parks in a unique tabletop format. As you move your hiker across each locale, you’ll get points for snapping photos and creating memories in the forest, at vista points, or next to stunning waterfalls. The game also offers an accessible solo mode and has incredible art on every tile and card.  ?;

4. The Resistance

The Resistance is a game of social deduction and secret rol??es in which you’ll have to guess which of the other players at the table are secretly spies. If you’re aiding the Resistance, you’ll need to set out on quests without bringing any of these spies along- just one of? them can sabotage your mission. If you’re a spy, you need to subtly convince the Resistance that you’re on their side. In addition to it being a great board game for beginners, The Resistance is also a fantastic party game, and supports up to 10 players.   

5. Sagrada

The Sagrada Família is a famous landmark in Barcelona with stained-glass windows so beautiful that they inspired an entire board game. Sagrada allows players to reconstruct these windows with colorful transparent dice. No two colors can be placed next too each other, but there are also many fun ways to bend the rules and sco?re higher. It’s the kind of abstract game that highlights just how unique and diverse board games can? be. 

6. Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a well-known classic for good reason. The rules are simple and easy to learn. The gameplay offers exciting risks and rewards? when building your route. The theme is engaging, and there are so many different ways to win. There many expansion maps to keep the game fresh and multiple editions with which you can depart on a new board gaming adventure.

7. Sheriff of Nottingham (2nd Edition)

Bring your best poker face to the table when playing Sheriff of Nottingham- you’ll need it. Your goal is to smuggle as much illegal contraband as possible into town without getting caught. Each round you’ll place a number of cards from your hand facedown in a bag, and the person playing as sheriff for the round h??as the option to check what you’re bringing into No??ttingham. You can bribe the sheriff, or bring in only legal goods and make the sheriff pay for checking. Risking the right amount and knowing your opponents are the keys to victory.

8. 7 Wonders

7 Wonders takes players back to the Ancient World to build a? new civilization from scratch over the course of four rounds. In the early segments of the game, i?t’s all about gathering resources and trading. As the ages progress, however, you’ll need to build iconic landmarks and win conflicts to achieve greatness. The board game is a good introduction to engine building, a fundamental element of many more complex board games.

9. Forbidden Desert

If you’re more interested in cooperative board games, Forbidden Desert is a great place to start. You and your team journey into a vast desert to find an ancient flying machine, but your helicopter crashes, leaving you stranded. To escape alive you’ll n??eed to excavate tiles, gather tools, and find the flying machine parts before you run out of water or supplies. An incoming sandstorm a??lso threatens to sweep you away, giving the game great thematic tension. 

10. Istanbul

For beginners seeking a slightly more complex starting point in the world of board gaming, Istanbul is a great choice. It still isn’t too difficult to learn, but you’ll need to think strategically if you want to win. You’ll play as a merchant and send your assistants to the various locations around the city to sell goods, bet money, and hopefully gather five rubies faster than anyone e?lse. At the start of the game, the players arrange the markets, gambling houses, and warehouses randomly, which means the map changes every time you play and the ga?me is always fresh and exciting.

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Sci-fi board games can provide the thrill of space travel and planetary exploration, but these games will let Star Trek fans live out t?heir fantasy of being ??Starfleet commanders. 

Some of these games put you in charge of battalions of ships, while others toss you into? a ground conflict or ??simply test knowledge of the galactic markets. All of them will make for a fantastic game night. 

Star Trek Chrono-Trek

Based on the game Chrononauts, Star Trek Chrono-Trek is a great way for fans to nerd out about the series’s lore over a game. Each player picks a character from the Star Trek universe, and each character has a unique goal to pursue throughout the game??. Then you’re tossed into a time-traveling adventure, reliving big moments from the series while crafting your own alternate universe. 

Star Trek Cryptic

Cryptic is an escape room in a box, and this version lets you chart your own course through Starfleet and the universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The game’s three missions each require a healthy amount of puzzle-solving and code-breaking. Star Trek Cryptic arguably works best with a group, but one of my favorite par?ts about it is that it’s also designed to work as a single-player experience. It makes for a nice backup option when game night falls through. 

Star Trek Fluxx

Star Trek Fluxx is a card game for two to six people where the rules are constantly in question. Players try to gather special cards called Keepers while playing cards that alter the game’s rules. You might adjust the maximum hand size for everyone at the table or give yourself the ability to swap hands entirely. It’s a blast, and every game feels fresh, but my only complaint with this one is that the Star Trek elements are really just theming and flavor.

Star Trek Star Realms

This game is essentially regular Star Realms with a Star Trek skin, but the theming fits naturally here. Star Realms is a card game for two to six players where you build up a deck full of starships and intergalactic bases. Different factions focus on dealing damage, gathering money, or boosting your overall health, and you have to pick a path on the fly while competing with your opponent over limited options. The Star Trek art really shines and makes this an especially enjoyable vers?ion of an already fantastic g?ame. ;

Star Trek Galactic Enterprises

Space travel isn’t all about exploration and discovery. Sometimes it’s just about making a profit. Galactic Enterprises casts three to six players as Ferengi traders trying to dominate the galactic economy. It’s a simple economic management and tr??ading game that gives you the option to cooperate with your fellow merchants or to stab them in the ba?ck at a crucial moment. Whoever is the most adept at manipulating the markets and hoarding wealth takes the win. 

Star Trek: Away Missions

Star Trek: Away Missions is a two-player board game that puts you in charge of the Enterprise’s ground forces. The base game has you encountering the Borg after the Battle of Wolf 359. Your team needs to collect intel to defeat the Borg forces, or you might have a change of heart while on the mission and decide to help the Borg destroy the Federation forever. This game and its various expansions give you a chance to go right into the heart of an action-packed Star Trek episode. 

Star Trek Discovery: Black Alert

Star Trek Discovery: Black Alert drops you right into the middle of an interdimensional chase scene. The U.S.S. Discovery has accidentally fallen into a mirror universe and needs to return home, but now the crew of the I.S.S. Charon is trying to capture the Discovery for themselves. Two teams guide each ship across the board, gathering resources while players use cards and abilities to tackle different missions in order to escape the mirror universe or ensure that the Discovery remains there forever. 

Star Trek: Frontiers

Star Trek: Frontiers makes you feel like a main character in a Star Trek movie set in a distant part of space where the Federation and the Klingon Empire are vying for control over new territory. Through multiple cooperative and competitive scenarios, ?players control ships in the region, gathering resources and attacking enemy squadrons. Between the various scenarios and the randomness of the map, th??ere’s a ton of replayability here. 

Star Trek: Alliance

Star Trek: Alliance is a fleet battle board game that kicks off with the Dominion War Campaign and carries on into other expansions. The game is designed for one to two players to take on an enemy army. Players create their own Starfleet captains and then work cooperatively to defeat Dominion fighters. The game also includes a progression system to let you level up between missions. I’m a sucker for games with miniatures?, and this one includes some truly awesome ships to use for playing out your war. 

Star Trek: Ascendency

Star Trek: Ascendency brings together elements from multiple games on this list to create a 4X experience that has players controlling one of the primary factions in the Star Trek universe. Players lead their factions through multiple decades of expansion, trading, and war. If you love simulation games, have a solid group of gaming friends, and have several hours of free time, then this is going to be the best Star Trek game for you. 

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The best epically long board games offer incredible strategic depth, with satisfying gameplay engines that build over time and immersive thematics that you wonâ€??™t find anywhere else. Oftentimes, they don't even end up feeling like long games simply because they're so much fun. In the best instances, the players will feel as though they’re telling an epic story of exploration, adventure, and conquest. In the list below, you’ll find our picks for the ten best board games that take at least two and a half hours to complete.   

10. Game of Thrones: The Board Game (2nd Edition)

Fans of the TV show or the Song of Ice and Fire books will love how well the Game of Thrones board game adapts the geography and storylines of Westeros to create epic battles an??d court intrigue at the game night table. Conquering castles is the name of the game, but to do that, you’ll need to make and break alliances with fellow players and carefully manage your troops. The only reason it’s a bit lower on this list is because pl??aythroughs can sometimes feel a bit too similar. However, it’s still an exceptional game with plenty of depth.

9. Forgotten Waters

In Forgotten Waters, you’ll explore the high seas as an infamous pirate after adventure and treasure. The character sheets are fun to fill out and bring a welcome RPG element to a game that’s otherwise focused on scenario-based gameplay. The entry book?let and the companion app s?et the stage in each of the six-story chapters, all of which are excellently paced and engaging. Its mechanics are simple, making it the easiest-to-learn entry on this list.

8. Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Mansions of Madness is a cooperative mystery and horror experience set in H.P. Lovecraft’s iconic world. Each player investigator sets out to gather clues and confront evil monsters in the game’s four distinct scenarios. And while I do wish there were more than four scenarios, it’s an incredibly atmospheric game, with each new room you enter feeling dangerous and claustrophobic. There are also lots of fun puzzles that you’ll need to solve via the Mansions of Madness app, whic??h is closely integrated into the gameplay.

7. Sleeping Gods

The incredible artwork and unique exploration mechanics of Sleeping Gods has won the campaign-based game many fans. Here, you and your fellow players will set sail on a steamship across 26 Atlas pages in an attempt to find your way home. The dream-like open world is astonishingly beautiful, with every new island you visit offering something new, whether it's a character, activity, or one of the fourteen collectible totems required for claiming victory. It could be a bit longer, but thankfully there is a sequel.

6. Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

Even if you haven’t watched the incredible 2004 Battlestar Galactica reboot series, you??’ll still find that there’s a lot to love about the TV show’s board game adaption. Cylon agents that look just like humans are hidden in the fleet that’s carrying the last hope for humanity, and you or your fellow players could be one of them.? If you’re secretly a Cylon, which you might not even find out until the middle of the game, you’ll need to avoid suspicion and carry out covert sabotage aboard the Galactica. If you’re a human, your only hope is to reach Earth in time.

5. Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven is a campaign-based dungeon crawler with satisfying character progression mechanics and a rewarding story. While each play session usually only requires about an hour and a half to complete, the full campaign can easi?ly take upwards of 150 hours Over the course of those 150 hours, you’ll soon discover that your decisions are critical; they can shape the events of the game in unexpected and exciting ways.   

4. Twilight Imperium (4th Edition)

In Twilight Imperium, you’ll play as one of seventeen unique factions aiming to se?ize control of the galaxy through political maneuvering, economic development, and military conquest. The players share most objective cards, but there are so many different ways you can accomplish your goals and claim victory. I particularly appreciate that the galaxy map is drawn randomly so that the arrangement of planets, asteroid fields, and other deep-space phenomena demands completely different strategies every time you play.

3. Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

The vast expanses of space await exploration and settlement in Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy. Though it’s still a long game, it’s much shorter than Twilight Imperium, ye?t it manages to touch on many of the same notes without losing much strategic depth. You’ll take control of a species and attempt to build a civilization with a reach as far as the distant stars. Constructing starships, engaging? in conflicts with rival players, and gathering reputation tiles are all essential to victory.

2. Star Wars: Rebellion

Star Wars: Rebellion takes players back to the era of the original Star Wars trilogy in a classic, cinematic tale of light vs. dark. The Empire reigns supreme and needs only to find the hidden Rebel base to crush its opposition once and for all. The Rebel Alliance must use its limited resources sparingly and carry out diplomatic missions that unite the galaxy’s systems against the Empire. The thematics of the game are incredible, and with over 150 miniatures included, it’s an absolute must-have for Star Wars and tabletop gaming fans alike.

1. War of the Ring (2nd Edition)

The conflict between the Free Peoples of Middle Earth and the legions of Mordor comes to life in War of the Ring, a faithful tabletop adaption of Tolkien’s books that is often considered to be one of the best war board games of all time. If you’re playing as Sauron, your objectives are simple; you’ll need to gather your troops and conquer as much of Gondor and the rest of the map as possible. If you’re playing as the Free Peoples, you’ll need to stop the spreading forces of evil from taking over before the One Ring reaches Mount Doom. It’s complex, it’s thematic, and it’s undisputedly epic. There's even a War of the Ring Card Game spin-off that's also great.

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