High Heavens (2015) Board Game

High Heavens is a strategic card game that was released in in 2015. Designed by Ryan Lesser and Sean Andrew “Muttonhead” Murray, this game combines elements of mythology, miniatures, and wargaming. Players take on the roles of powerful deities battling for control over the heavens.

Game Components of High Heavens

Miniatures: Representing gods from Norse and Greek pantheons.

Cards: Each player has a deck representing their pantheon, with cards used for invoking gods, movement, attacks, and special abilities.

RingChip System: Colored rings and chips to track health, attack bonuses, armor, and other modifiers.

Hex Grid Board: The battlefield where the gods clash.

Action Tokens: Used to manage the three actions each player can take per turn.

Home Base Health Tokens: Track the health of Asgard and Mt. Olympus.

How To Setup High Heavens

To set up High Heavens, players first prepare the hex grid board and place their respective home bases (Asgard for the Norse gods and Mt. Olympus for the Greek gods). Each player shuffles their deck of cards and draws a starting hand of five cards. The miniatures are placed within reach, and the RingChip System is set up to track the gods’ statuses. Players are then ready to begin their turn, using their three Action Points to invoke gods, move, attack, or play cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Action Points: Each player has three Action Points per turn to invoke gods, move, attack, or play cards.

Hand Management: Players must manage their deck of cards to execute their strategies.

Grid Movement: Gods move and interact on a hex grid board.

Card Play: Cards are used to invoke gods, perform special abilities, and support forces.

Game Objective

The game is won by either eliminating all 12 gods in the opponent’s pantheon or by destroying the opponent’s home base (Asgard or Mt. Olympus).

Player Experience

High Heavens offers a fast-paced and tactical gameplay experience, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced players. The game’s innovative RingChip System simplifies tracking health and modifiers, keeping the game flowing smoothly. The luck of the card draw forces players to adapt their strategies, ensuring no two games are alike. Games typically last between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on player skill and strategy.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simplified mechanics compared to other miniatures games.

Innovative Tracking System: The RingChip System makes it easy to track health and modifiers.

Fast-Paced: Games are relatively short, lasting 30-60 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Requires strategic thinking due to the luck of the card draw.

Accessible: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Cons

Limited Factions: Initially, only two factions (Norse and Greek) are available, though expansions are planned.

Limited Variety: The base game has limited options within the factions, though expansions can add more variety.

Personal Thoughts on High Heavens

High Heavens is a great game for fans of miniatures and card games who are looking for a fast-paced, tactical experience without the complexity of larger miniatures games like Warhammer 40k or Malifaux. It’s perfect for those who enjoy mythology and are intrigued by the clash of gods from different pantheons. The game’s accessibility and innovative design make it a solid choice for both new and experienced gamers. If you’re looking for a fun, strategic game with a unique twist, High Heavens is definitely worth checking out.

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