Champions of Midgard (2015) Board Game

Champions of Midgard is a board game released in 2015 by Grey Fox Games. Designed by Ole Steiness, this game is set in a Viking world where players take on the roles of leaders of Viking clans. The goal is to earn glory by defeating monsters and completing quests to become the most prestigious leader in Midgard.

Game Components of Champions of Midgard

1 Game board

16 Troll cards

21 Draugr cards

36 Monster cards

18 Journey cards

8 Merchant Ship cards

12 Destiny cards

10 Rune cards

5 Leader boards

28 Blame tokens

54 Favor tokens

3 Damage markers

60 Gold tokens

1 Turn marker

1 Starting player marker

6 Ship Boards

20 Wood cubes

30 Food cubes

20 Meeples

8 Wooden Discs

1 Rulebook

How To Setup Champions of Midgard

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the table. Each player receives a leader board and three worker meeple (four in a two-player game). The board features various locations, with up to four of these being randomly drawn from a stack of Military and Economic sites at the start of each game. This random draw ensures each game is subtly different. Players also receive starting resources, and the troll, draugr, and monster cards are shuffled and placed within reach.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players take turns placing their worker meeple at various locations on the board to recruit warriors, gain resources, and prepare for battles.

Dice-Driven Combat: Warriors are represented by dice in three colors (Swordsmen, Spearmen, Axemen), each with different faces (hits, shields, blanks). Players roll these dice to determine the outcomes of battles against trolls, draugr, and monsters.

Resource Management: Players must manage food, wood, gold, and favors to sustain their warriors and fund their expeditions.

Journeys and Quests: Players can send their warriors on sea journeys to fight monsters, which involve resolving journey cards that may introduce additional challenges.

Game Objective: The goal is to gain the most glory by defeating enemies, completing quests, and protecting the town of Midgard. The player with the most glory at the end of the game is hailed as the new Jarl.

Player Experience

Playing **Champions of Midgard** is an immersive experience that blends strategy and luck. Players must balance the need to protect their town from immediate threats like trolls and draugr with the desire to embark on lucrative sea journeys to fight more glorious monsters. The game’s use of dice-driven combat adds a visceral element, making victories and defeats feel more dynamic. The random setup and various hidden victory conditions ensure each game is unique, keeping players on their toes.

Pros

Easy to Teach: The game has straightforward rules, making it easy for new players to learn.

Good Game Length: The game scales well from 2 to 4 players and lasts about 60-90 minutes.

Right Amount of Luck: The dice-driven combat introduces just the right amount of luck to keep the game exciting.

High Replayability: Random draws of Military and Economic locations ensure each game is subtly different.

Cons

Luck Dependence: Some players may find the reliance on dice rolls too random.

Complex Setup: While the gameplay is straightforward, the initial setup can be a bit complex due to the random locations and various components.

Personal Thoughts on Champions of Midgard

**Champions of Midgard** is ideal for fans of worker-placement games and those who enjoy a mix of strategy and luck. It’s a great fit for players who appreciate a game with depth but don’t want to commit to an overly complex ruleset. The Viking theme and varied gameplay elements make it an engaging experience that encourages strategic thinking and a bit of luck. If you’re looking for a game that offers a fun, dynamic experience with a unique blend of mechanics, **Champions of Midgard** is definitely worth checking out.

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