Roll for Great Old Ones: A Roll & Write Game (2023) Board Game

Roll for Great Old Ones is a roll & write game designed by Daniel Jamie Williams and published in in 2023. It falls under the categories of dice, horror, print & play, and science fiction. The game is designed for 1-4 players, with a recommended player count of 1-3. Players take on the role of investigators trying to prevent the awakening of ancient cosmic horrors known as the Great Old Ones.

Game Components of Roll for Great Old Ones: A Roll & Write Game

Character Sheets: Each player chooses one of four characters, each with a special power and a laminated sheet.

Scenario Cards: Four scenarios are included, with each scenario having its own rulebook and double-sided scenario card.

Dice: The game uses D6 dice (one more than the number of players) and a D12 “bad news” die.

Reroll Squares: Part of the character sheets, allowing for rerolls at a cost.

Experience Track and Action Squares: On the character sheets, used to track progress and activate various actions.

How To Setup Roll for Great Old Ones: A Roll & Write Game

To set up the game, players first choose their characters and select one of the four available scenarios. Each scenario has its own rules and specific sheet. Players then roll the dice, which includes the D6 dice and the D12 die. The D6 dice are drafted and picked based on the players’ needs, while the remaining D6 die and the D12 die determine the actions of the cultists.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together as investigators against ancient evil powers.

Dice Drafting: Players draft D6 dice from a pool to program actions on their investigator boards.

Cultist Actions: The remaining D6 die and the D12 die trigger cultist actions.

Rerolls: Players can reroll dice, but at a cost such as losing health, sanity, or gaining weaknesses.

Action Activation: Players use the die values to activate actions on their sheets, such as healing, curing weaknesses, killing cultists, and discovering clues.

Objective: The goal is for all players to find enough clues to fill in their Dark Seal and survive until the end of the game. The game is lost if all players’ health reaches zero, the cultist ritual is completed, or other specific conditions are met.

Player Experience

The game offers an engaging and thematic experience, particularly for fans of the Cthulhu Mythos. The roll-and-write mechanics make the game accessible and easy to learn, with a straightforward setup and gameplay. Players are actively involved in their own boards but also need to cooperate to win, fostering discussion and teamwork. The solo game is also enjoyable, though it is rated slightly lower than the cooperative version.

Pros

Thematic Integration: The game effectively embeds the Cthulhu Mythos theme into its gameplay.

Easy to Learn: Simple and accessible mechanics make it easy to teach and play.

Cooperative Engagement: Encourages teamwork and discussion among players.

Dice Management: Allows players to manage dice rolls effectively to achieve desired outcomes.

Cons

Rule Complexity: There are several rules to learn, making it advisable to learn the game solo before playing cooperatively.

Cost of Rerolls: Rerolls come with significant costs, which can impact gameplay strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Roll for Great Old Ones: A Roll & Write Game

**Roll for Great Old Ones** is an excellent choice for fans of cooperative games and the Cthulhu Mythos. It offers a unique blend of dice management and roll-and-write mechanics that make the game both engaging and thematic. While it may have a few too many rules, the game is generally easy to learn and can be enjoyed by a wide audience. It is particularly suited for players looking for a cooperative experience with a strong narrative backdrop.

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