Frostgrave: Second Edition (2020) Board Game

Frostgrave: Second Edition is a fantasy skirmish wargame that was released in in 2020. It is designed by Joseph McCullough and published by Miniaturicum. The game is set in the frozen ruins of the ancient city of Felstad, where players control wizards and their warbands in search of treasure and glory.

Game Components of Frostgrave: Second Edition

Rulebook: A 224-page book that includes improved rules, revised spell lists, new soldier types, and new scenarios.

Miniatures: 28mm miniatures, with players encouraged to use any miniatures from their collection.

Spell Cards: A pack of cards for managing spells, with significant changes to spell balance.

Scenarios: 20 different scenarios, including 10 new ones added in the Second Edition.

Bestiary: Updated with new skills for creatures, such as wolves now being Pack Hunters.

How To Setup Frostgrave: Second Edition

To set up the game, players start by creating their warband with 400 Gold Crowns, a reduction from the 500 Gold Crowns in the First Edition. This budget is used to hire soldiers, including thugs, thieves, archers, and other specialists. The game board, typically 3′ by 3′, is populated with terrain to block line of sight, and five treasures are placed on the board. Players then prepare their wizards and apprentices, choosing spells from one of ten schools of magic.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice System: Uses a single d20 dice for resolving actions, with some rolls modified by stats.

Action Points: Each model has two action points; one must be used for movement or reloading, and the other for special actions like spells or melee combat.

Combat: Brutal and simple, involving opposed rolls with the highest number winning, and damage calculated by subtracting the target’s armor from the roll.

Will and Fight Stats: Used for defensive rolls against spells and shooting attacks.

Objectives: The primary goal is to collect treasures and complete scenario-specific objectives while managing encounters with wandering monsters and rival warbands.

Player Experience

Frostgrave: Second Edition offers a rich campaign experience where players focus on building their wizard’s power and collecting treasure rather than directly engaging with the opposing warband. The game is known for its simplicity and randomness, making it both fun and challenging. Players can choose from a variety of wizards and soldiers, and the game’s design encourages strategic thinking and resource management.

Pros

Improved Rules: Tweaks based on years of player feedback to enhance game balance.

Revised Spell List: More balanced and interesting spell options, including new spells like Destroy Undead.

New Scenarios and Bestiary: Additional scenarios and updated creature abilities add variety to the game.

Backwards Compatibility: Most First Edition supplements remain usable, except for The Grimoire.

Cons

Complexity in Setup: While the core rules are simple, setting up a new warband and understanding all the changes can be time-consuming.

Steep Learning Curve for New Players: The game’s depth, especially in spell management and scenario objectives, may overwhelm new players.

Personal Thoughts on Frostgrave: Second Edition

Frostgrave: Second Edition is ideal for players who enjoy skirmish-level miniature games with a strong focus on storytelling and campaign play. It is particularly suited for those who like managing resources, strategizing, and dealing with the unpredictability of dice rolls. The game’s improvements make it more balanced and engaging, making it a great choice for both veteran players of the First Edition and newcomers to the series.

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