Frostgrave (2015) Board Game

Frostgrave is a tabletop miniatures wargame that was released in in 2015. The game was designed by Dmitry Burmak and published by Osprey Games. Set in a frozen city, players take on the role of a wizard and their band of followers as they explore the ruins of Frostgrave in search of magical treasures.

Game Components of Frostgrave

Rulebook

Miniatures (though any figures can be used, including DIY or from other games)

Terrain pieces (emphasizing ruined buildings and arctic scenery)

Treasure counters

d20 dice

Character and spell cards

Scenario and bestiary listings

How To Setup Frostgrave

Setting up Frostgrave involves creating a dense and intricate terrain on a typically 3×3 table, though larger tables can be used. Players sprinkle treasures around the board, with each player placing two treasures and one central treasure that all players can contest. The terrain should include a mix of ruined buildings, hills, and other obstacles to provide cover and challenging navigation.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Alternating Sequences: Turns are based on initiative rolls, with wizards acting first.

d20 Rolls: All actions, including combat and spellcasting, use d20 rolls.

Terrain: Crucial for cover and ranged effects.

Random Encounters: Wandering monsters and other hazards can appear when treasures are found.

Game Objective

The primary goal is to collect treasures while navigating the dangers of the frozen city.

Secondary objectives include completing scenario-specific tasks and accumulating experience points through spellcasting and treasure collection.

Player Experience

Frostgrave offers a highly immersive and narrative-driven experience, especially in campaign mode. Players control a war band led by a wizard, accompanied by an apprentice and various mercenaries. The game is known for its quick and bloody combat, making tactics and maneuvering essential. The variety of spells and the development of characters add depth and flavor to the game, making each character’s fate significant.

Pros

Accessible Rules: Simple and streamlined rules make it easy to pick up.

Customization: Wizards can choose from ten different schools of magic and mix spells from various schools.

Narrative Focus: Strong emphasis on storytelling and character development.

Flexibility: Can be played with any miniatures or DIY figures.

Rich Terrain: Encourages creative and detailed terrain setup.

Cons

Terrain Requirement: Requires a significant investment in terrain to create an immersive environment.

Combat Brutality: Characters can die quickly, which may be off-putting for some players.

Random Elements: Wandering monsters and random events can introduce unpredictability that not all players may enjoy.

Personal Thoughts on Frostgrave

Frostgrave is ideal for players who enjoy narrative-driven, competitive campaigns with a strong focus on strategy and character development. It is particularly suited for those looking for a game that is easy to learn but deep in gameplay, and who appreciate the flexibility of using any miniatures or creating their own terrain. If you’re a fan of skirmish games, magic, and tactical gameplay set in a richly detailed world, Frostgrave is definitely worth considering.

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