Battle Ravens (2019) Board Game

Battle Ravens is a two-player board game released in 2019, designed by Peter Dennis and published by PSC Games. It is set in a medieval theme with a focus on fighting, miniatures, and strategy. The game incorporates elements of worker placement and area majority/influence mechanics, making it a unique and engaging experience for players.

Game Components of Battle Ravens

Game board with a 6-column, 2-row layout

36 warrior units per player (18 Hirdmen, 18 Bondi)

Thralls for projectile attacks

Ravens tokens for actions and combat

Advanced Tactics Cards (optional)

Dice for resolving combat

Rulebook

How To Setup Battle Ravens

To set up the game, each player places their 36 warriors in their own row on the board. Hirdmen and Bondi are positioned in the shieldwall areas, while Thralls are placed in a separate area for projectile attacks. Ravens tokens are distributed to each player. If using Advanced Tactics Cards, each player randomly selects 5 cards from their deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Dice Rolling: Combat is resolved by rolling dice with a 50% chance of failure, a 33.33% chance of success, and a 16.66% chance of a double success.

Action Points: Players use ravens to perform actions such as moving or attacking.

Shieldwall Management: Players aim to occupy three of the enemy’s shieldwall areas.

Thrall Abilities: Thralls can reroll failed attacks.

Advanced Tactics Cards: Optional cards that introduce additional strategies and actions.

Objective:

The objective is to break the enemy’s shieldwall by occupying three of their shieldwall areas. If both players achieve this simultaneously, the game is won by the player with more Hirdmen and Bondi on the board.

Player Experience

**Battle Ravens** offers a fast-paced and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance aggressive actions with defensive strategies, using ravens efficiently to move, attack, or block enemy attacks. The game encourages thought and planning, as players need to decide whether to focus on one area or distribute their ravens across multiple areas. The inclusion of Advanced Tactics Cards adds an extra layer of complexity and strategy.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games last just under one hour.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but with deep strategic elements.

Luck and Cunning: Combines luck from dice rolls with strategic decision-making.

Asymmetric Elements: Advanced Tactics Cards introduce asymmetrical play.

Cons

Luck-Based: Combat outcomes are heavily influenced by dice rolls.

Limited Complexity: Some players may find the game too simplistic.

Limited Replayability: Without Advanced Tactics Cards, gameplay can become repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Battle Ravens

**Battle Ravens** is ideal for those looking for a quick, introductory wargame that still offers a strategic challenge. It is perfect for players who enjoy simple, abstract games with a touch of luck and a strong emphasis on tactical decision-making. While it may not appeal to fans of complex, long-duration games, it serves as an excellent gateway to more intricate wargames. The addition of Advanced Tactics Cards can enhance the experience for more experienced players, adding layers of strategy and depth to the game.

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