Twelve Heroes (2016) Board Game

Twelve Heroes is a board game released in 2016 designed by Tomasz Jedruszek. It is a fantasy medieval themed game that is designed for 2 players and has a runtime of 20-30 minutes. The game is focused on territory building, transportation, and strategic gameplay. Players take on the role of heroes who must strategically navigate the game board to gain control of territories and complete objectives.

Game Components of Twelve Heroes

20 Food tokens: Required to muster and maintain units.

14 Control markers: Indicate each player’s progress in controlling the land.

2 Summary cards: Summarize the game flow.

6 Land cards: Represent new territories with varying victory points (2 VP, 3 VP, and 4 VP).

36 Unit cards: Heroes with unique abilities, military strength, and costs in Food tokens.

How To Setup Twelve Heroes

To set up the game, start by placing the 20 Food tokens in a common stockpile. Each player receives a set of 7 Control markers and places them in front of themselves. Shuffle the 6 Land cards, place them face down in three piles, and flip the top card of each pile face up. Players then shuffle their deck of 12 chosen Unit cards and draw 3 cards as their starting hand. The game begins with the start player’s Military phase, determined randomly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Gain 7 Victory Points by acquiring Land cards.

Phases:

Control: Check if a player can control a land.

Maintenance: Manage Food tokens to keep units active.

Income: Gain Food tokens.

Military: Muster, deploy, or move units.

Unit Management: Muster units using Food tokens, deploy them to lands, and utilize their special abilities to gain an advantage.

Player Experience

In Twelve Heroes, players take on the roles of feudal lords competing to acquire territories. The game requires strategic planning, resource management, and effective use of unit abilities. Players must balance their Food tokens to maintain their units and execute military actions. The game’s short playtime of 20-30 minutes makes it an engaging and quick strategic challenge.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Short Playtime: Quick games ideal for busy gamers.

Unique Abilities: Each unit has special abilities that add variety to gameplay.

Competitive: Direct competition between two players enhances the challenge.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for only two players.

Resource Management: Can be complex for new players to manage Food tokens and unit costs.

Luck Factor: Draw of Unit cards can influence gameplay significantly.

Personal Thoughts on Twelve Heroes

Twelve Heroes is ideal for players who enjoy strategic card games with a competitive edge. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate medieval-themed games and are looking for a quick, yet engaging, gaming experience. The game’s complexity and need for strategic thinking make it more appealing to experienced gamers, but the short playtime and clear rules also make it accessible to new players willing to learn.

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