Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus (2023) Board Game

Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus is a fantasy board game released in in 2023. Designed by Benjamin Cowan, with artwork by WizKids, this game is set in a world of epic battles and daring quests. It allows 2 to 8 players to engage in team-based combat using miniatures and strategic gameplay.

Game Components of Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus

9 Reversible Map Tiles: Create a 3×3 grid board setup.

4 D20 Dice: Used for combat and skill checks.

25 Miniatures: Includes 8 hero figures, 1 ogre, 4 goblins, 4 kobolds, 4 bugbears, 1 naga, 1 iron golem, 1 elder oblex, and 1 hill giant guardian. Available unpainted in the Standard Edition and pre-painted in the Premium Edition.

344 Cards: Character cards, loot cards, and event cards.

333 Tokens: Loot tokens, quest tokens, and various other game markers.

Rule Book: Detailed instructions for setup and gameplay.

How To Setup Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus

To set up the game, players first lay out the 9 reversible map tiles to form a 3×3 grid board. Three random quest cards are drawn and added to the board along with relevant tokens. Each player selects a class, subclass, and character, each with unique cards and abilities. The Loot deck and Event deck are shuffled and placed near the board. The two teams place their entry portals in opposite corners, and the game is ready to start.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Team-Based Play: Players divide into two rival parties of heroic adventurers.

Initiative Phase: Each player rolls a d20 to determine the order of actions.

Turn Phase: Players take two actions per turn, which can include moving, attacking, or interacting with objectives.

Combat Mechanics: Simple combat system using d20 rolls, with outcomes modified by damage reduction ratings.

Quest Completion: Teams earn victory points by completing quests, gathering loot, and defeating monsters.

Trial Guardian: The game ends when one team reaches 10 victory points, and the Trial Guardian (a powerful boss) is introduced. The team with the most victory points when the Trial Guardian is defeated wins.

Player Experience

Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus offers a dynamic and chaotic gameplay experience, blending cooperation within teams and competition between them. The game is full of twists and turns, with players constantly adapting to new objectives, enemy movements, and unexpected events. Each playthrough is unique due to the randomization of quests, loot, and the Trial Guardian, ensuring high replay value.

Pros

Fantastic Evocation of D&D Staples: The game captures the essence of Dungeons & Dragons in board form.

Party vs Party Setup: Offers a great mix of cooperation and competition.

High Replay Value: Each playthrough is unique with random objectives and loot.

Detailed Miniatures: Highly detailed miniatures, especially in the Premium Edition.

Easy to Learn: Despite its complexity, the game is relatively easy to learn.

Cons

Setup and Initial Phase Can Be Slow: The initial setup and early phase of the game can drag on.

Long Game Sessions: Games can run longer than expected, especially with more players.

Misleading Cooperative Label: Some players find the game’s cooperative label misleading due to its competitive nature.

Personal Thoughts on Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus

Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus is ideal for fans of strategic team-based games who enjoy a mix of cooperation and competition. It is perfect for game nights with a group of friends or family, especially those who appreciate the Dungeons & Dragons universe but may not have the time or inclination to engage in a full-scale D&D campaign. The game’s unique blend of random objectives, diverse character abilities, and dynamic combat makes it a standout in the board game genre. However, it may appeal less to those seeking a purely cooperative experience or a quick, simple game.

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