Chainsaw Warrior (1987) Board Game

Chainsaw Warrior is a solo board game originally released in in 1987. Designed by Dave Andrews, Chris Baker, John Blanche, Colin Dixon, and Brett Ewins, the game was published by Games Workshop Ltd. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the player takes on the role of the eponymous Chainsaw Warrior, a cybernetically enhanced soldier on a mission to save New York City from an invasion of creatures from another dimension.

Game Components of Chainsaw Warrior

108 “House” cards: Representing the building the player must infiltrate, divided into two decks.

Character attributes: Determined by rolling D6s for endurance, wounds, hand-to-hand, reflexes, and marksmanship.

Equipment: Hand-to-hand weapons, guns, heavy weapons, devices, and clothing.

Laser Lance: A critical item necessary for defeating the final enemy, Darkness.

Miniatures: Optional, featuring the Chainsaw Warrior and iconic weaponry.

Tokens and dice: For tracking time, health, and resolving encounters.

How To Setup Chainsaw Warrior

To set up the game, players first determine their character’s attributes by rolling dice. They then allocate points to choose equipment from various categories. The 108 House cards are divided into two decks, with the second deck including the final enemy, Darkness. Setup time is approximately 5 minutes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Solo gameplay: The player is pitted against the clock and the game environment.

Time management: Players have 60 minutes to navigate the building and defeat Darkness.

Card draws: Players draw cards from the House decks, resolving encounters with monsters and obstacles.

Combat resolution: Encounters are resolved using dice rolls based on the player’s attributes.

Equipment management: Players must manage their equipment, as losing critical items can result in significant time penalties.

Objective: The player must find and kill Darkness before the time runs out or before succumbing to injuries, zombie venom, or radiation poisoning.

Player Experience

Playing Chainsaw Warrior is an intense, solitary experience where every decision counts. The game is known for its high level of difficulty, making each victory hard-earned. The random nature of the card draws and dice rolls adds a layer of unpredictability, keeping the game exciting and challenging.

Pros

High replayability: Due to the randomization of card decks and attribute rolls.

Immersive theme: A gritty, post-apocalyptic setting with a clear objective.

Simple yet engaging mechanics: Easy to learn but difficult to master.

Historical significance: One of the first solo board games, offering a unique experience even by today’s standards.

Cons

High chance element: Success is heavily dependent on dice rolls and card draws.

Limited strategic depth: The game relies more on luck and adaptability than on complex strategies.

Time-consuming setup and play: While setup is quick, the actual gameplay can take up to 2 hours.

Personal Thoughts on Chainsaw Warrior

Chainsaw Warrior is ideal for fans of solo board games and those who enjoy survival and time management challenges. It offers a nostalgic look into 1980s game design and is a great addition for collectors of Games Workshop titles. Despite its simplicity, the game provides an engaging and thrilling experience that tests the player’s ability to adapt under pressure. If you’re looking for a game that will keep you on the edge of your seat and challenge your survival skills, Chainsaw Warrior is definitely worth a try.

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.