Dragons of Etchinstone (2022) Board Game

Dragons of Etchinstone is a solo board game released in 2022 by Mythfield Games. It falls under the adventure and fantasy categories and is designed for players aged 8 and above. The game offers a unique experience of deck, bag, and pool building, making it an engaging and strategic gameplay experience for solo players.

Game Components of Dragons of Etchinstone

18 cards: The entire game is condensed into these cards, which include Action cards, Region cards, Enemy cards, and Journey cards.

No table needed: The game is designed to be played entirely in the player’s hands.

Rules: Available as a downloadable PDF to keep costs down.

How To Setup Dragons of Etchinstone

To set up the game, simply shuffle the deck and draw the initial hand of cards. The game does not require any physical table space, making it highly portable. You can start your adventure anywhere, from your couch to a queue at the movies.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players must efficiently use their Action cards to manage dangerous Journeys and formidable Enemies.

Card Fusion: Combine same-colored cards to achieve specific outcomes.

XP and Upgrades: Defeat Enemies and Journeys to earn XP, which can be used to upgrade Action cards.

Damage and Downgrades: Narrow victories or defeats result in taking damage, forcing players to downgrade their Action cards.

Region Progression: Work through four Regions, each with unique enemy types and challenges.

Final Encounter: Face one of four dragons in a challenging final battle.

Player Experience

Players take on the role of an Ether Mage tasked with saving the nation of Etchinstone from four ancient dragons. The game offers a rich, immersive experience despite its compact size. Each turn requires strategic planning to combine Action cards effectively, manage resources, and mitigate damage. The instant save system allows players to pause and resume the game at any time, making it ideal for busy schedules.

Pros

High Portability: Can be played anywhere without needing a table.

Deep Strategy: Despite the small number of cards, the game offers complex hand-management puzzles.

Variable Encounters: Each Region and final dragon fight provides a unique challenge.

Multiple Difficulty Levels: Includes six difficulty settings and two official rules variants for added challenge.

Cons

Color Visibility: Some players find the blue and grey colors difficult to distinguish in low light.

Card Intuitiveness: Some card themes and abilities may not be immediately intuitive.

Repetitive Outcomes: Occasionally, different strategies can lead to the same outcome, which can feel unsatisfying.

Personal Thoughts on Dragons of Etchinstone

**Dragons of Etchinstone** is perfect for solo players who crave an immersive adventure game but have limited time and space. It is particularly appealing to parents or individuals with busy schedules, as it can be played in short intervals and saved easily. The game’s depth and variability ensure that players will return to it multiple times to explore different strategies and outcomes. With its compact design and rich gameplay, **Dragons of Etchinstone** is an excellent addition to any solo gamer’s collection.

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.