Forge War (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Forge War is a board game released in 2015 that combines elements of adventure, economic strategy, and worker placement. Designed by Josh T. McDowell and Jeff Ward, the game is set in a medieval fantasy world where players take on the roles of guild leaders competing to become the most powerful in the realm.

Game Components of Forge War

Player boards: For each player to manage their resources and quests.

Resource tokens: Representing ore, gems, and other materials.

Weapon design cards: Needed for forging weapons.

Quest cards: Detailing the objectives and rewards.

Adventurer tokens: Leveling up as they complete quests.

Level tokens: Tracking the adventurers’ progress.

Market cards: For acquiring resources and designs.

Mine tiles: For spatial reasoning and resource collection.

How To Setup Forge War

To set up Forge War, each player selects a player board and places it on the table. The mine tiles are arranged to form the mining area, and the market cards are shuffled and placed within reach. Quest cards are also shuffled and set aside. Each player starts with a set of basic resources and an adventurer token. The game is divided into three phases, which helps simplify the complex setup and gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players gather resources from the mine and market.

Spatial Reasoning: Collecting metals and gems in the mine requires strategic planning.

Action Selection: Competing for weapon designs and resources in the market.

Quest Management: Undertaking and progressing through quests over multiple turns.

Adventurer Leveling: Adventurers level up as they complete quests, unlocking more powerful titles and weapons.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate wealth and complete quests to contribute to the kingdom’s defense against threats like harpies, cursed dungeons, and dragons.

Player Experience

Players take on the roles of blacksmiths, managing resources, forging weapons, and guiding adventurers through quests. The game is known for its intense resource management and strategic depth, making it a “brain burner” that requires careful planning. The game is structured into three phases, which helps players manage the complexity.

Pros

Engaging Theme: High fantasy setting with marauding harpies, cursed dungeons, and fire-breathing dragons.

Deep Strategy: Requires careful resource management and spatial reasoning.

Player Interaction: Competing for resources and weapon designs adds a competitive layer.

Rewarding Quests: Completing quests provides significant rewards and a sense of accomplishment.

Leveling Up Adventurers: Adventurers become more powerful as they complete quests.

Cons

Production Issues: Card quality is not fantastic, and level tokens can be fragile.

Complex Rules: Some rules are written ambiguously, leading to confusion.

Resource Starvation: Players can get stuck without enough resources, though this is rare in experienced groups.

Long Playtime: Especially for the Epic game mode, which can be overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Forge War

Forge War is ideal for fans of euro-style games who enjoy deep strategic gameplay and resource management. It’s a great fit for experienced gamers who can handle complex rules and long playtimes. However, it may not suit those who prefer lighter, quicker games or have issues with production quality. For groups that enjoy a challenge and the satisfaction of completing long-term quests, Forge War can become a favorite.

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