Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria (2021) Board Game

Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria is a fantasy board game released in 2021 by Daily Magic Games. Designed by Stan Kordonskiy, this game takes players on a journey through a mysterious and dark world filled with magic and intrigue. With stunning artwork by Mihajlo Dimitrievski, players are immersed in a visually captivating experience as they explore the shadowy kingdoms of Valeria.

Game Components of Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria

Custom Dice: Representing troops for Gnolls, Orcs, Goblins, Undead, and Gargoyles.

Player Boards: Each player has a board with tracks for Magic, Gold, and Influence.

Warden Tokens: Used to move around the main board and take actions.

Champions: Hireable characters with special powers.

Battle Plans: Cards that provide special abilities and objectives.

Power Gems: Used for resource management and dice manipulation.

Campaign Maps: Random maps for each player.

Award Cards: Provide additional points for achieving specific goals.

How To Setup Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria

To set up the game, start by laying out the main board, which features five Shadow Shrines where dice will be placed. Each player receives a player board and a random Campaign Map. The dice are drawn from a bag and distributed among the shrines. Players place their Warden tokens on their player boards and set up their tracks for Magic, Gold, and Influence. Champions and Battle Plans are also prepared according to the player count.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Drafting: Players collect custom dice to build their army.

Action Selection: Move the Warden token to different shrines to take specific actions.

Engine-Building: Level up the Warden’s abilities and hire Champions to enhance gameplay.

Resource Management: Balance Magic and Gold to manipulate dice and acquire Champions.

Evolving Powers: Unlock new facets of the Warden’s power after each battle.

Game Objective

The objective is to complete Battle Plans and accumulate victory points (VP).

Players aim to dominate each Battle Plan and achieve specific goals like recruiting Gold-producing Champions or unlocking additional Battle Plan slots.

The game ends after all players have completed 7 Battle Plans, and the player with the most VP wins.

Player Experience

Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria offers a unique and engaging experience, especially for fans of the Valeria series looking for a new perspective. The game starts simple but evolves into a complex strategic experience as players level up their Wardens and hire Champions. The dice drafting mechanic adds a layer of randomness that requires strategic thinking and resource management. The game scales well for 1 to 5 players, making it versatile for different group sizes.

Pros

Engaging Theme: A fresh, darker take on the Valeria universe.

Strategic Depth: Combines simple turns with complex decision-making.

Scalability: Supports 1 to 5 players with adjustments for player count.

Dice Mitigation: Various ways to manage and adjust dice outcomes.

Multiple Strategies: Allows players to choose different approaches to victory.

Cons

Icon Clarity: The game could benefit from better explanations of icons in the rulebook.

Rulebook Gaps: Some elements, like Award cards, are not fully explained.

Minor Issues: Some players may find the game slightly less polished in certain areas.

Personal Thoughts on Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria

Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria is ideal for fans of strategy and engine-building games who enjoy a bit of darkness in their theme. It’s perfect for groups looking for a game that scales well and offers a unique blend of mechanics. While it may require some time to get used to the icons and rules, the game’s complexity and replayability make it a compelling addition to any board game collection. If you’re ready to dive into the shadows and lead a monstrous uprising, this game is definitely worth checking out.

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