Dragon Keepers (2019) Board Game

Dragon Keepers is a cooperative board game designed by Mihajlo Dimitrievski and published in in 2019. In this game, players take on the role of dragon keepers tasked with protecting the realm from the invading dragons. With a mix of card game elements, deduction, dice rolling, and fantasy themes, Dragon Keepers offers a unique gaming experience for 1-6 players.

Game Components of Dragon Keepers

Cards: Two decks forming the “Magic Book,” dragon cards, amulets, crests, eggs, pearls, crystals, and shadow dragon cards.

Dice: Used in certain game modes for resolving attacks and defenses.

Tokens: Amulet pieces, pearls, crests, eggs, and crystals.

Counters: Various small counters for tracking progress and rewards.

How To Setup Dragon Keepers

To set up Dragon Keepers, shuffle the two decks of cards and place them to form the “Magic Book.” Flip one card from each deck to create the initial display. Shuffle the amulets and discard some based on the player count, then arrange the remaining amulets by value. Place other components like crests, eggs, pearls, crystals, and shadow dragon cards nearby. Determine the starting player, and each successive player receives one more starting card than the previous player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Modes:

Keeper’s Mode: A lighter competitive mode for 3 to 6 players, using push your luck mechanics.

Dragon’s Mode: A semi-cooperative mode for 2 to 4 players, requiring more strategic thinking.

Mechanics:
– Cooperative Game
– Dice Rolling
– Hand Management
– Push Your Luck
– Simultaneous Action Selection

Objective: In the cooperative mode, players work together to defend and train dragons to attack the evil hunter. In competitive modes, players aim to collect rewards and points by matching the combinations shown on the “Magic Book” and defending their dragons.

Player Experience

Dragon Keepers offers a mix of simplicity and deep decision-making. The game appears light on the surface but contains numerous thoughtful decision points, especially in the cooperative mode where players must manage limited actions and spell cards to protect their dragons from the hunter. The components, including the cards and tokens, are well-made, although the setup can be slightly fiddly due to the amulet selection and organization.

Pros

Depth in Decision-Making: Despite its light appearance, the game has a significant number of strategic decisions.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for both children and adults, with different game modes catering to various age groups.

Well-Designed Components: The cards and tokens are of good quality, and the art is engaging.

Cons

Setup Time: The amulet selection and organization can take a bit of time.

Luck Factor: Some rounds can be heavily influenced by luck, particularly in dice rolls and card draws.

Personal Thoughts on Dragon Keepers

Dragon Keepers is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that is easy to learn but offers strategic depth. The cooperative mode is particularly interesting for those who enjoy teamwork and planning, while the competitive mode provides a fun, light-hearted experience. It is suitable for a wide range of ages, from 6 and up, making it a versatile addition to any game collection.

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