Proving Grounds (2019) Board Game

Proving Grounds is a solo board game designed by Kane Klenko and published by Renegade Game Studios in in 2019. It falls under the categories of dice, fantasy, fighting, and real-time games. The game is designed for one player, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a solo gaming experience.

Game Components of Proving Grounds

14 Custom Attack Dice (8 white, 2 blue, 2 green, 2 yellow)

1 Custom Dragonling Die

1 Health Marker

1 Dragonling Token

1 Encounter Board

6 Battle Markers

1 Reference Card

6 Conspirator Cards

1 Sun and Moon Dial

6 Shield Tokens

15 Inspiration Cards

19 Chariot Cards

30 Enemy Cards

1 Story Book (32 Pages)

1 Rulebook.

How To Setup Proving Grounds

To set up Proving Grounds, start by placing the Encounter Board on the table. Stack a green, yellow, and blue die under the Health Marker on the board. Place one white die on each of the spaces on the right side of the board. Shuffle the Enemy Cards and place one in each of the six slots on the board, marking each with a Battle Marker. Set the Health Marker on the top-left heart of the board. Ensure you have a one-minute timer ready, either using the Renegade App or your phone.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Real-Time Phases: Each round consists of three phases and lasts one minute.

Rolling Dice: Roll the dice and group them by result. You can reroll dice only if they are part of a set.

Resolve Attacks: Use the dice to move up the Battle Track on the enemy cards. Defeat enemies by fulfilling the requirements on their cards.

Recover: Retrieve the dice, move the Exhaustion Track down, and refill empty slots on the board with new enemy cards.

Objective: Defeat eight enemies to win. If the Health Marker reaches the end of the Health Track, you lose.

Player Experience

Playing Proving Grounds is a fast-paced and strategic experience. You embody Maia Strongheart, fighting against a series of enemies in real-time. The game includes a novella that sets the narrative stage, but the actual gameplay is more about quick decision-making and dice rolling than immersing in the story. The game’s mechanics are simple yet challenging, with modules that add extra complexity and replayability.

Pros

Real-Time Action: Engaging and fast-paced gameplay with one-minute rounds.

Replayability: Six mix-n-match modules add extra challenges and variety.

Narrative Depth: Comes with a 32-page novella providing a rich backstory.

Strategic Depth: Requires strategic thinking in managing dice rolls and enemy attacks.

Cons

Limited Narrative Integration: The narrative and gameplay mechanics are somewhat disconnected.

Repetitive: Defeating enemies can feel repetitive, with little creative spark in each victory.

Modules Can Be Hit-or-Miss: Some modules add interesting challenges, while others may feel less compelling.

Personal Thoughts on Proving Grounds

Proving Grounds is ideal for solo players who enjoy real-time dice games and strategic challenges. It is particularly suited for those aged 10 and above who can appreciate the quick decision-making and tactical aspects of the game. While it may not offer a deeply immersive narrative experience, it provides a fun and engaging way to spend 30-45 minutes. If you enjoy games like *Fuse* or *Flip Ships*, you might find Proving Grounds to be similarly intriguing, though it may lack the memorable impact of other solo games like *Friday*.

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