Last Bastion (2019) Board Game

Last Bastion is a cooperative board game designed by Antoine Bauza and published by Repos Production in in 2019. It is a reimplementation of the popular game Ghost Stories, with updated gameplay mechanics and components. In Last Bastion, players take on the roles of heroes defending the last remaining stronghold against hordes of monsters and demons.

Game Components of Last Bastion

Bastion tiles: 9 tiles forming a 3×3 grid, each with unique powers.

Hero boards: 8 different heroes, each with a unique ability.

Horde boards: 4 boards linked to the heroes, used to manage monster cards.

Monster cards: A deck of cards representing the monstrous hordes, including 10 different Warlords.

Call to Arms tokens: Allow players to use tile actions from anywhere.

Equipment tokens: Help players in combat.

Grasp of Evil figures: Representing evil presence, can be placed on tiles.

Miniatures and dice: For combat resolution and game progression.

How To Setup Last Bastion

To set up **Last Bastion**, shuffle the 9 Bastion tiles and lay them out in a 3×3 grid. Each player selects a hero and receives the corresponding hero board, which is linked to one of the four Horde boards. The Monster deck is shuffled, and the ninth card from the bottom is replaced with a randomly selected Warlord. Each player starts with one Call to Arms token. The game is ready to begin once all components are distributed and the boards are set up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Horde Phase: Activate monsters on the player’s Horde board, draw new monster cards, or activate Horde board powers if the board is full.

Hero Phase: Move, activate Bastion tiles, or fight adjacent monsters.

Combat Resolution: Roll dice to defeat monsters, using Equipment tokens for assistance.

Call to Arms tokens: Use to activate tile actions from anywhere, even if covered by a Grasp of Evil figure.

Game Objective

Defeat the Warlord to win the game.

Lose if all heroes are defeated, three Grasp of Evil figures are on the board, or the Monster deck runs out of cards.

Player Experience

Playing **Last Bastion** is a highly immersive and challenging experience. Players work together to defend their fort against a relentless horde of monsters, with each hero bringing unique abilities to the table. The game is filled with high-tension moments, especially when drawing monster cards and rolling dice for combat. The game’s components, including the miniatures and artwork, enhance the fantasy theme, making it feel like an epic battle to protect the bastion.

Pros

High Replay Value: Randomized Horde deck, different Warlords, and various hero combinations.

Engaging Cooperative Gameplay: Requires communication and cooperation to win.

Beautiful Components: High-quality art and miniatures.

Streamlined Gameplay: Compared to its predecessor, **Ghost Stories**.

Different Heroes: Eight unique heroes with distinct abilities.

Cons

Difficulty: Can be very challenging, especially for new players.

Learning Curve: Some players find the initial games frustrating.

Dependence on Luck: Dice rolls can sometimes feel random.

Personal Thoughts on Last Bastion

**Last Bastion** is ideal for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy a good challenge. It is a great choice for groups looking to work together against a common enemy, with its engaging gameplay and high replay value making it a staple in any board game collection. While it may not be the best fit for casual players due to its difficulty, it is an excellent option for those who relish the thrill of a tough cooperative battle.

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