Dice Wars: Heroes of Polyhedra (2018) Board Game

Dice Wars: Heroes of Polyhedra is a fantasy wargame that was released in in 2018. It is designed by Aris Kolehmainen, Zachary Scott, and Brandon R. Smith, with artwork by Brybelly. The game is based on dice rolling, grid movement, and team-based gameplay, where players take on the roles of heroes fighting for control over the land of Polyhedra.

Game Components of Dice Wars: Heroes of Polyhedra

Giant polyhedral dice

Unit dice (7 per faction)

Numerical dice (3 per faction)

Hero dice

Unit cards

Map tiles (9)

HP cubes

Hero cards

City and relic cards (for advanced game)

Quick reference guide

Rulebook

How To Setup Dice Wars: Heroes of Polyhedra

To set up the game, players first choose their factions, each selecting a color. In a 2-player game, each player chooses two factions. Each player receives 7 unit dice and 3 numerical dice per faction. They roll their unit dice, rerolling any matching Advanced unit dice or Hero dice if players have the same result. Players then match their dice to corresponding unit cards and receive HP cubes for their units. The map is built by placing 9 map tiles, with a recommended layout for first-time players. The player rolling the highest 20-sided die goes first, and players deploy their unit dice on the map, ensuring each die is in a corner tile closest to them. Deployment can be adjusted until all players agree.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Random Army Generation: Armies are generated randomly through dice rolls.

Hex-Grid Battlefield: The game takes place on a hex-grid map.

Unit Movement and Combat: Players move and adjust their unit dice on the map, following terrain rules.

Multiple Victory Conditions: Win by defeating an opponent’s hero, wiping out their non-hero units, or capturing cities.

Strategic Deployment: Players strategically place and move their units.

Diplomatic Options: Players can use diplomatic methods to win, though this is challenging with multiple opponents.

Player Experience

Dice Wars: Heroes of Polyhedra offers a fast-paced and strategic gaming experience, lasting around 45 minutes to an hour. The game’s components, including the large dice and thick map tiles, are of high quality, and the artwork aligns well with the fantasy theme. The rulebook is comprehensive, including challenges for advanced players and a quick reference guide.

Pros

High-Quality Components: Large, sturdy dice and thick map tiles.

Strategic Depth: Multiple victory conditions and random army generation offer infinite replayability.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of almost any age.

Fast Gameplay: Quick game sessions compared to other war games.

Comprehensive Rulebook: Includes challenges for advanced players and a quick reference guide.

Cons

Magic Mechanics Can Be Frustrating: Rolling a D20 with limited boosts can be disappointing.

Complex Setup for New Players: Initial setup and understanding the rules can be time-consuming.

Personal Thoughts on Dice Wars: Heroes of Polyhedra

Dice Wars: Heroes of Polyhedra is an excellent introduction to the war and strategy genre, offering a blend of randomness and strategic depth. It’s ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a game that doesn’t require a significant time commitment but still provides a rich gaming experience. Advanced players will appreciate the multiple victory conditions and the challenges included in the rulebook. However, new players might find the initial setup and rules a bit daunting, but the quick reference guide helps ease this learning curve.

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