Lords of War: Orcs versus Dwarves (2012) Board Game

Lords of War: Orcs versus Dwarves is a tabletop card game designed by Nick Street and Martin Vaux, and published by Black Box Games Publishing in in 2012. It falls into the categories of card game, fantasy, and wargame, and is designed for 2-8 players, with the optimal player count being 2. The game features artwork by Steve Cox and includes elements of hand management, player elimination, and variable player powers.

Game Components of Lords of War: Orcs versus Dwarves

Two complete armies: Orcs and Dwarves, each with unique cards and strategies.

36 cards per army: Each player starts with a hand of 6 cards, with 5 randomly drawn and the sixth being the General.

Player mats: Simple grids for placing cards.

Cards with Attack Arrows: Indicate which adjacent cards they attack and the damage they deal.

Ranged Attack values: Some cards have ranged attack capabilities.

Defence values: Cards have defence values that must be exceeded by attacking cards to be defeated.

Expansion sets: Include new units, spells, and tokens, such as flying troops, magical units, and monstrous units.

How To Setup Lords of War: Orcs versus Dwarves

To set up the game, each player selects their army (Orcs or Dwarves) and starts with a hand of 6 cards, including their General. The game is played on a simple player mat with a grid for placing the cards. The core rules can be taught quickly, allowing even beginners to start playing within a couple of minutes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players manage a hand of 6 cards.

Player Elimination: The game ends when one player eliminates 20 of their opponent’s cards or 4 of their command cards.

Variable Player Powers: Each card has unique abilities and attack patterns.

Turn Structure:

Deployment: Place a card on the grid.

Eliminate: Resolve any combat resulting from the placement.

Reinforcements: Draw a new card from the deck or retrieve an unused unit from the board.

Player Experience

Lords of War: Orcs versus Dwarves offers a fast-paced and strategic gameplay experience. The game is easy to learn but rich in strategy, making it appealing to both casual and experienced players. The Orcs play aggressively, often using kamikaze tactics, while the Dwarves play more defensively, utilizing ranged units and powerful Berserker units. The game has a chess-like feel with deeper strategic layers beyond the initial simple rules.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple core rules that can be taught quickly.

Deep Strategy: Requires careful planning and tactical placement of cards.

Cross-Compatibility: Armies from different sets can be used against each other.

High Replayability: Multiple strategies and combinations of cards.

Affordable: Packed with game content at a low price point.

Cons

Theme Feels Tacked On: The fantasy theme, while appealing, doesn’t deeply integrate with the gameplay mechanics.

Complexity with Expansions: New expansions add more rules and complexity, which may overwhelm some players.

Personal Thoughts on Lords of War: Orcs versus Dwarves

Lords of War: Orcs versus Dwarves is ideal for fans of strategic card games and fantasy themes. It’s a great fit for players who enjoy hand management and variable player powers. While it’s designed for 2-8 players, it’s best enjoyed with two players. The game is perfect for those looking for a quick, yet engaging, gameplay experience with a lot of replay value. However, players who prefer simpler card games might find the expansions and additional rules overwhelming.

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