By Order of the Queen (2017) Board Game

By Order of the Queen is a cooperative board game released in 2017 by designer Justin Hillgrove. Set in a fantasy world, players take on the roles of heroes working together to protect the kingdom from various threats. With its adventure theme and dice rolling mechanics, the game offers a unique gameplay experience for 2-4 players.

Game Components of By Order of the Queen

Rulebook: 20-page full-color rulebook

Cards: Over 300 cards, including 64 Hero Cards, 49 Item Cards, 52 Monster Cards, 21 Event Cards, 100 Location Cards, 8 Nemesis Cards, 12 Queen’s Orders, 24 Quest Cards, and 8 Guild Cards

Tokens: 94 tokens

Game Board: Main game board

Graveyard Sideboard: Additional sideboard for managing defeated heroes

Dice: 10 dice

How To Setup By Order of the Queen

To set up the game, players first arrange the game board and graveyard sideboard. Each player selects a guild and receives a starting hand of seven hero cards. The Quest, Event, and Monster decks are shuffled and placed within reach. The Queen’s Orders are set aside, and the tokens are distributed according to the initial game state. Players then decide on their starting quests and begin the first round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Roles: Players act as Guildmasters, assigning heroes to quests, combat, or completing the Queen’s orders.

Turn Structure: Players take individual turns, with each turn involving assigning heroes, resolving quests or combat, and managing resources.

Quest Completion: Players must match symbols on hero cards with quest requirements to succeed.

Dice Rolls: Success in quests and combat is determined by dice rolls, with 5-6 being a success.

Resource Management: Players must manage three key resources: villagers, fortresses, and heroes. Losing any one of these resources results in game loss.

Game Objective: Complete three Queen’s Orders before losing any of the major resources.

Player Experience

Playing By Order of the Queen is an immersive experience filled with strategic decisions and a dash of luck. The game’s vibrant artwork, reminiscent of Adventure Time, adds a charming layer to the gameplay. Players must balance the need to complete quests with the risks of losing heroes and resources. The game can be highly unpredictable, with success often hanging by a thread, making victories feel especially triumphant.

Pros

Stunning Artwork: The game features beautifully designed hero and monster cards, as well as a colorful game board.

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of card matching and dice rolling creates a dynamic and suspenseful gameplay experience.

Cooperative Challenge: Players work together, making it a great option for those who enjoy cooperative games.

Replay Value: With numerous cards and random events, each game is unique.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: Success is heavily influenced by dice rolls and random card draws, which can be frustrating.

Leadership Issues: Cooperative gameplay can sometimes lead to one player dominating the strategy, reducing other players’ agency.

Lengthy Gameplay: Games can last 90-120 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

High Difficulty: The game is challenging, and failure is a common outcome, which may deter some players.

Personal Thoughts on By Order of the Queen

By Order of the Queen is ideal for those who enjoy cooperative games with a strong fantasy theme and are not averse to a mix of strategy and luck. The game’s beautiful artwork and engaging mechanics make it a great choice for a fun and challenging evening with friends or family. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with less randomness or shorter playtimes. For those who appreciate the thrill of close victories and the charm of whimsical art, By Order of the Queen is a delightful addition to any board game collection.

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