Dragonscales (2019) Board Game

Dragonscales is a fantasy board game released in 2019, designed by Stephen Gibson and published by Arcane Wonders. The game is designed for 3 to 5 players and has a runtime of 60 minutes. With a theme centered around dragons and scales, players must use dice rolling, push your luck, re-rolling and locking, and take that mechanisms to outsmart and outmaneuver their opponents.

Game Components of Dragonscales

Player Boards and Character Cards: Each player has a unique villain with their own advantages and tactics.

Dice: Seven six-sided dice per player, with symbols for defending, looting, attacking, villainy, fleeing, and dragon rage.

Action Grid: A grid where players place their dice to determine the outcomes of their actions.

Villainy Cards: Cards that can influence gameplay, allowing players to steal resources or hinder other players.

Treasure and Dragonscales: In-game loot and currency.

Dragon Rage Cards: Cards that trigger the dragon’s attacks.

Wound Cubes: To track damage dealt to the dragon and players.

How To Setup Dragonscales

To set up Dragonscales, each player chooses a villain and receives their unique player board and dice. The action grid is placed in the center, and the dragon rage cards are shuffled and placed within reach. Players start at the entrance of the dragon’s cave, and the game begins with each player rolling their seven dice. The objective is to either slay the dragon, Archerex, or escape the cave with as much treasure as possible while sabotaging other players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll their dice up to three times to determine actions.

Defend: Heal or prevent wounds.

Loot: Gain treasure.

Attack: Deal damage to the dragon.

Villainy: Draw villain cards or steal from other players.

Flee: Move towards the exit.

Dragon Rage: Trigger the dragon’s attack, which cannot be re-rolled.

Action Grid Placement: Players place their dice on the action grid, competing for the best rewards.

Villainy Cards: Influence dice placement and gameplay outcomes.

Game Objective: Slay the dragon or escape the cave with the most treasure while sabotaging other players.

Player Experience

Playing Dragonscales is a dynamic and interactive experience where players must balance cooperation and competition. Each turn involves strategic dice rolling, placement on the action grid, and using villainy cards to gain an advantage. The game features a unique blend of cooperative and competitive elements, making it engaging and unpredictable. Players will often find themselves in tense situations, deciding whether to focus on slaying the dragon or making a swift escape, all while keeping an eye on their fellow villains.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: Combines dice rolling, card play, and strategic placement.

High Replayability: Unique villain characters and varied gameplay outcomes.

Interactive: Constant player interaction and competition.

Thematic Depth: Rich fantasy setting with engaging villain characters.

Cons

Rule Clarity: Some rules and card symbology can be confusing.

Insert Issues: The game insert can be frustrating to manage.

Character Specialization: Lack of clarity around each character’s specialization.

Personal Thoughts on Dragonscales

Dragonscales is perfect for players who enjoy strategic games with a mix of luck and skill. It’s ideal for those who appreciate fantasy themes and the opportunity to play as nefarious villains. The game’s unique mechanics and competitive-cooperative blend make it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for fans of games like Clank and King of Tokyo. However, it may not suit players who prefer games with minimal randomness or those who are easily frustrated by complex rule sets.

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