HERO versus GUARDIAN: A Game of Dungeon Craft (2013) Board Game

HERO versus GUARDIAN: A Game of Dungeon Craft is a fantasy adventure board game released in in 2013. Designed by C. Aaron Kreader and featuring artwork by Studio 9 Incorporated, this game is designed for 2-4 players aged 9 and up. With a runtime of around 60 minutes, players are immersed in a world of action points, dice rolling, and strategic decision-making on a modular game board.

Game Components of HERO versus GUARDIAN: A Game of Dungeon Craft

16 room cards for dungeon construction

Action tokens for both Guardian and Heroes

Adventurer cards with various skills

Room types: Traps, Brutes, Evil, and Magic

Treasure Vault card

Dungeon entrances

Dice for resolving conflicts

How To Setup HERO versus GUARDIAN: A Game of Dungeon Craft

To set up the game, the Guardian player designs a dungeon using the 16 room cards, including the Treasure Vault, which is the most valuable room. The Guardian places entrances outside the dungeon. Meanwhile, the Hero players recruit adventurers, equip them, and plan their movement into the dungeon. Each player starts with a set of action tokens to spend on various actions during the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Action Points: Players spend tokens to take actions.

Cooperative Game: Heroes work together against the Guardian.

Dice Rolling: Used for resolving conflicts.

Modular Board: The dungeon is built differently each game.

Game Objective

Heroes: Earn points by defeating rooms and capturing the Treasure Vault.

Guardian: Earn points by capturing adventurers and their gear, and by keeping the dungeon unexplored. The game ends when the Guardian has drawn all the dungeon cards or when the Hero captures the Treasure Vault.

Player Experience

In **HERO versus GUARDIAN: A Game of Dungeon Craft**, the gameplay is dynamic and strategic. The Guardian must build a challenging dungeon while the Heroes need to strategize their adventurers’ skills to overcome the rooms. The game combines elements of chance and strategic planning, making it engaging for players who enjoy asymmetric gameplay and dungeon crawls.

Pros

Asymmetric Gameplay: Offers different roles with unique strategies.

High Replayability: Modular board and varied room placements ensure different experiences each game.

Family-Friendly: Simple enough for children aged 9 and above to understand, yet engaging for adults.

Balanced Mechanics: Action tokens and dice rolling balance luck and strategy.

Cons

Learning Curve: Initial setup and understanding of roles may take time.

Limited Player Interaction: Some players might find the alternate action sequence less interactive.

Component Quality: Some users have noted variations in component quality.

Personal Thoughts on HERO versus GUARDIAN: A Game of Dungeon Craft

This game is ideal for families and groups of friends who enjoy strategic and cooperative gameplay. It’s particularly suited for those who like asymmetric roles and the thrill of exploring a modular dungeon. While it may not be as complex as some other strategy games, it offers a fun and engaging experience that balances strategy and luck, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

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