Wakening Lair (2018) Board Game

Wakening Lair is a card game designed by Grant Wilson and released in 2018 by Rather Dashing Games. It falls under the category of fantasy games and is recommended for players aged 14 and above. The game incorporates cooperative elements, dice rolling, and variable player powers to create an engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Wakening Lair

Large cards

Wooden markers

Three dice

9 male and 9 female hero cards with alternate art

Treasure cards

Monster cards

12 dungeon floor cards

6 final boss cards

‘It wakes!’ card

How To Setup Wakening Lair

Setup is straightforward: players choose one of the 18 heroes and take their matching marker. The treasure and monster decks are shuffled, and the 12 dungeon floors are dealt out face-down in a row. A final boss card is placed face-down on the 12th floor, and the ‘it wakes!’ card is shuffled into the monster deck near the bottom.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Roll 2d6 at the start of each turn to wake up a room and populate it with monsters.

Combat: Heroes can attack monsters by rolling a D6 and beating the leftmost number on the monster card.

Hero Specializations: Each hero has two icons representing their specialties, which influence combat outcomes.

Time Pressure: The game becomes a race against time once the boss awakens, with only 12 turns left to defeat it.

Objective: Defeat the final boss before it escapes the dungeon.

Player Experience

Wakening Lair offers a compact yet engaging dungeon crawl experience without the bulk of traditional games. Players work together, navigating through a dungeon filled with monsters that awaken as they progress. The game is designed to be completed in under an hour, making it a quick and intense cooperative adventure. The variety in heroes and the unpredictability of the final boss add to the game’s replay value.

Pros

Compact Design: Fits all components into a modest box.

Simple Setup: Easy and quick to set up.

Variety in Heroes: 18 different heroes with unique specializations.

High Replayability: Different final bosses and random monster awakenings.

Time-Efficient: Games typically last under an hour.

Cons

Limited Physical Components: No miniatures or extensive dice sets.

Dependence on Luck: Combat outcomes heavily influenced by dice rolls.

Time Pressure: Can be stressful with the countdown to defeat the boss.

Personal Thoughts on Wakening Lair

Wakening Lair is ideal for those who enjoy cooperative games and are looking for a streamlined dungeon crawl experience. It’s perfect for players who want to dive into a fun, fast-paced adventure without the complexity and bulk of larger dungeon crawler games. The game is suitable for both new and experienced players, offering a balanced mix of strategy and luck.

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