Deck Box Dungeons (2018) Board Game

Deck Box Dungeons is a dungeon crawler board game that was released in in 2018. Designed by Jordan Cuffie and featuring artwork by Ariah Studios, this game is geared towards 1-2 players and falls under the adventure, card game, dice, exploration, and fantasy categories. With a playtime of 20-60 minutes and recommended for players aged 14 and up, Deck Box Dungeons offers a cooperative gaming experience with elements of action points, area movement, and dice rolling.

Game Components of Deck Box Dungeons

Custom dice and meeples

5 standard 6-sided dice

A deck of cards, including double-sided monster cards and hero cards

Map cards for dungeon layout

Equipment and character cards

Treasure points and market items

How To Setup Deck Box Dungeons

Setting up Deck Box Dungeons involves selecting character cards, equipment cards, and preparing the dice. Players lay down the Map cards to create the dungeon layout, and each player places their meeples on the starting tile. The app or print-and-play campaigns provide the procedural generation of dungeons, encounters, and boss locations.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Procedural Generation: Dungeons, encounters, and boss locations are generated randomly through the app or print-and-play campaigns.

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to determine hits, blocks, and critical hits. Rolling a 6 results in an energy point, and a natural 6 is a critical hit that cannot be blocked.

Treasure System: Killing monsters earns Treasure points, which can be spent on items in the Market.

Line of Sight: Players establish line of sight by drawing a line from any corner or square to any other corner, considering obstacles like pits, pools, or walls.

Objective: Players aim to explore the dungeon, defeat monsters, and progress through the rooms.

Player Experience

Deck Box Dungeons offers a dynamic and engaging experience with its hybrid tabletop and app-supported design. Players can enjoy the game solo or with up to three friends, navigating through procedurally generated dungeons. The game’s use of custom dice and meeples, along with the double-sided cards, adds a layer of complexity and excitement. The lack of an inventory limit, however, might make inventory management less challenging than in other similar games.

Pros

Expandable: The game can be expanded via online or free printable assets.

Dynamic Dungeons: Procedural generation through the app ensures each playthrough is unique.

Portable: The game fits into a deck box, making it highly portable.

Customizable: Players can personalize their dice and gameplay experience.

Cons

Minor Gripes: Some players might find the absence of an inventory limit and initiative or awareness checks as minor drawbacks.

Setup Time: Setting up the dungeon layout and preparing the cards and dice can take some time.

Personal Thoughts on Deck Box Dungeons

Deck Box Dungeons is ideal for fans of cooperative dungeon crawlers and those who enjoy a mix of physical and digital gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate procedural generation and the ability to customize their gaming experience. While it may have some minor issues, the game’s flexibility, portability, and dynamic gameplay make it a compelling choice for tabletop enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a game that combines the best of both worlds—traditional tabletop and digital enhancements—Deck Box Dungeons is definitely worth considering.

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