Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle – Defence Against the Dark Arts (2019) Board Game

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle – Defence Against the Dark Arts is a card game based on the beloved Harry Potter series. It was released in 2019 by The Op Games and designed by Kami Mandell and Andrew Wolf. The game allows players to immerse themselves in the wizarding world of Hogwarts as they duel against dark forces. With its engaging gameplay and captivating theme, it has quickly become a favorite among fans of the series.

Game Components of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle – Defence Against the Dark Arts

1 practice mat

4 House cards

8 House movers

2 bases

24 starting cards

21 Hex cards

129 Hogwarts cards

5 Stun tokens

30 chip pieces

Rules.

How To Setup Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle – Defence Against the Dark Arts

Players start by choosing their Hogwarts house (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin) and selecting their starting allies (owl, toad, or cat). Each player begins with a personal deck of 10 cards and the necessary tokens. The game includes a Classroom and Library where players can acquire new cards to enhance their decks. The setup is relatively straightforward and similar to the cooperative version, making it easy for familiar players to jump in.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck Building: Players acquire new cards to build a more powerful deck.

Card Types: Spells, Items, and Allies.

Token Management: Use Lightning tokens to attack, Heart tokens to heal, and Money tokens to purchase new cards.

Hex Cards: Resolve Hex cards first, which can have detrimental effects.

Dueling: Players take turns playing cards to push each other back on the dueling table.

Game Objective: Stun the opponent three times to win the game.

Player Experience

The game offers a competitive twist on the cooperative Hogwarts Battle, allowing two players to engage in magical duels. Each round, players reset their decks and health, providing a fresh start but also the potential for snowballing effects as the game progresses. The inclusion of Hex cards adds unpredictability and challenge. However, some players have reported issues with balance, where one player can dominate the game early on, leading to less engaging matches.

Pros

Thematic Engagement: Immersive Harry Potter theme with spell casting and magical duels.

Straightforward Card Market: Easy to understand deck-building mechanism.

Variety in Cards: Multiple types of cards, including Hexes, which add a layer of strategy and unpredictability.

Cons

Balance Issues: Games can become heavily unbalanced, with one player dominating early on.

Length and Agency: Games can be long, and players may feel a lack of agency due to random card draws and Hex effects.

Resource Starvation: Limited card choices can lead to resource starvation, guaranteeing a loss.

Personal Thoughts on Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle – Defence Against the Dark Arts

This game is ideal for fans of the Harry Potter series and those who enjoy competitive deck-building games. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking highly balanced or strategic gameplay, as the random elements and potential for early domination can detract from the experience. For families with older children (11+), it can be a fun and thematic way to engage in magical duels, but younger players may find the complexity and length challenging. Despite its flaws, the game captures the essence of magical combat from the Harry Potter universe, making it a delightful, though sometimes frustrating, experience.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.