Dwarves: Dig, Delve, Die (2017) Board Game

Dwarves: Dig, Delve, Die is a card game released in 2017, designed by Brandon Gillam and illustrated by Imbalanced Games LLC. It falls into the category of card games and fantasy games, featuring dice rolling and worker placement as its main mechanisms. The game is designed for 2 to 6 players, with a playing time of 5 to 30 minutes, and is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Game Components of Dwarves: Dig, Delve, Die

Dice: Special dwarf dice that represent the dwarves.

Mine Cards: Cards that represent the mine and dictate actions.

Gold Cards: Cards that players aim to collect to win the game.

Instruction Cards: Two cards that outline the basic rules.

FAQ Sheet: A four-page FAQ to clarify any ambiguities in the rules.

How To Setup Dwarves: Dig, Delve, Die

To set up the game, players need to shuffle the mine deck, ensuring to separate the gold cards if desired to avoid confusion. Each player starts with a set of dice. The game’s instructions are contained on two cards, though they may lack some clarity, particularly regarding the gold cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Placement: Players draw a new die each turn, roll all their dice, and place them on mine cards.

Stacking Dice: Dice can be stacked on cards but only on dice of equal or higher value.

Delving: After placing dice, players take back the lowest visible value die and perform the action on the card.

Objective: The first player to accumulate five gold cards wins.

Player Experience

**Dwarves: Dig, Delve, Die** makes for a light and entertaining filler game, suitable for the start or end of a gaming session. It is particularly appealing to players who enjoy ‘take that’ games, as many cards involve stealing dice, gold, or turns from other players. However, some cards include adult themes, such as drinking instructions and references to a dwarven brothel, which may not be suitable for all audiences.

Pros

Fast Gameplay: The game plays quickly, making it a good filler.

Interactive: Includes ‘take that’ mechanics that add a fun competitive element.

Simple Rules: Basic instructions are easy to learn, though some clarifications may be needed.

Cons

Ambiguous Rules: The instructions lack some clarity, particularly regarding gold cards.

Adult Content: Some cards include themes not suitable for all audiences.

FAQ Dependency: A four-page FAQ is necessary to clear up ambiguities.

Personal Thoughts on Dwarves: Dig, Delve, Die

**Dwarves: Dig, Delve, Die** is a game that could work well as a family-friendly option with some judicious editing of the deck to remove adult-oriented content. As it stands, it is more suited for an adult audience who enjoy light, interactive games with a competitive edge. It’s a great choice for those looking for a quick, entertaining game to start or end a gaming session.

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