Viking Gods (1982) – Board Game Guys

Viking Gods

“Viking Gods” is a board game that is popular and significant due to its historical and cultural connections to the Viking era. The game is believed to have originated from the Roman game “Latrones” and was played in the Viking homelands in Scandinavia as early as 400 AD. It was a wargame simulating the battle of Ragnarök between Odin and the other gods of Asgard and Loki and the Forces of Chaos. The game was popular during the Dark Ages in Northern Europe, and its popularity persisted until the 11th century when chess gained prominence.

Game Components of Viking Gods

Game Board: A hex-based map representing the battlefields of Ragnarok.

Player Tokens: Tokens for the Gods of Asgard and the forces of Chaos, each with unique strength points and special abilities.

Hela Token: Represents the goddess of death, who moves randomly and claims pieces for the underworld.

Rainbow Bridge Tokens: Used to mark the destruction of the Rainbow Bridge.

Strength Difference Chart: For resolving combat between players.

Maps & Counters: Designed by Harry Quinn, though he is only credited for maps and counters.

How To Setup Viking Gods

Setting up the game involves placing the tokens for the Gods and the forces of Chaos on their respective starting positions on the board. The Rainbow Bridge is also set up, and the Hela token is placed according to the rules. The game is ready to begin once all pieces are in their starting positions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective

Gods: Win by either killing Loki or reducing the forces of Chaos to four strength points or less.

Chaos: Win by destroying Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life.

Gameplay Mechanics

Turn Sequence: Chaos player moves, attacks, then the Asgard player moves and attacks, followed by Hela’s movement.

Movement: Players move their tokens on a hex-based map.

Combat: Resolved using a strength difference chart.

Hela’s Movement: Randomly determined, with Hela claiming pieces for the underworld if she moves near them.

Rainbow Bridge Destruction: The Chaos player covers two spaces of the bridge with shattered bridge tokens at the end of each turn.

Player Experience

**Viking Gods** offers a unique blend of strategy and mythology, appealing to fans of Norse lore. The game is relatively simple yet engaging, with each character having special abilities that add depth to the gameplay. Despite some flaws, it provides good entertainment and is particularly enjoyed by those who appreciate fantasy and mythology-oriented games.

Pros

Inexpensive: At the time of release, it was seen as a good value for the price.

Durable Components: The game components are durable and attractive.

Mythological Theme: Engaging for fans of Norse mythology.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but with enough complexity for interesting gameplay.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for only two players.

Random Elements: Hela’s movement can be unpredictable, adding a layer of randomness to the game.

Some Flaws: Reviewers have noted several flaws, though these do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

Personal Thoughts on Viking Gods

**Viking Gods** is ideal for fans of Norse mythology and those who enjoy light to medium-strategy games. It is a great addition to any collection of vintage board games, especially for those interested in the early works of TSR and the design of Allen Hammack. While it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer more complex or modern game mechanics, it remains a fun and nostalgic game that captures the essence of Ragnarok.

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