BattleLore

2006

Immerse yourself in BattleLore! A board game where history meets fantasy, as you command miniature troops in a fantastical re-imagining of the Hundred Years War.

60
minutes

2 - 2
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the captivating world of BattleLore, a fantasy-themed board game that combines elements of strategy, role-playing, and luck. This game stands on the crossroad of history and mythology, pulling players into a realm where the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred.

Set in a vibrant and mystical medieval landscape, BattleLore pitches armies of valiant knights, rugged dwarves, and mythical creatures against each other. As a player, you’re the commander of your own army, tasked with outwitting your opponents on the battlefield.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

BattleLore is a strategy board game for two players, where each player commands a vast army and leads them into battle. The game requires careful planning, clever tactics and a little bit of luck. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game.

Player Roles:

Commander: Each player is the commander of their own army, one controls the human alliance while the other controls the goblinoid horde.
Units: The players control different types of units in their army like Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery.

Board Placement:

Place the game board between the two players. The game board is divided into three sections: the left flank, the center, and the right flank.
Each player should sit on the side of the board corresponding to their army – the Human Alliance to the left and the Goblinoid Horde to the right.

Initial Resources:

Each player receives a set of Battle dice, a Command card deck, and a Lore card deck.
Players select their units based on the scenario being played and place them in the appropriate areas on the game board.
Each player draws Command cards based on the scenario – usually six for the Human Alliance and five for the Goblinoid Horde.

Random Elements:

Command Cards: These cards are drawn randomly and dictate the actions a player can take during their turn. They might allow a player to order units in a certain section of the board, or provide special actions.
Lore Cards: These cards provide powerful abilities and are drawn randomly. They can be played at any time and can significantly change the tide of battle.
Battle Dice: These dice are rolled during combat to determine hits, retreats, and special abilities. The outcome of a battle can often hinge on a lucky roll.

Remember that the key to victory in BattleLore is not only having a solid strategy but also adapting to the changing tides of battle. Good luck and have fun!

Game flow Round and round we go

BattleLore is a strategy board game for two players, where one player commands the forces of the Daqan Lords, and the other player leads the Uthuk Y’llan. Each game round, or turn, is divided into three main phases: Command Phase, Battle Phase, and Victory Phase.

1. Command Phase: This is the first phase of the game. During the Command Phase, each player chooses a command card from their hand and plays it. The command card indicates the number and type of units the player can order during this turn. After the card is played, the player orders their units according to the instructions on the card. The player may only give orders to units that are in the section of the battlefield indicated on the command card.

2. Battle Phase: This is the second phase of the game. During the Battle Phase, the player resolves battles for each ordered unit, one at a time, in the sequence of their choice. Each battle is resolved by a dice roll, with the number of dice rolled depending on the unit’s battle dice and any additional modifiers. The player can choose to either attack an enemy unit in the same section or move to an adjacent section to attack there.

Battle Actions: Before rolling dice, the player can perform one battle action. These actions include abilities such as Bold Strike, which allows a unit to roll an extra die, or Magic Attack, which allows a unit to attack with magic instead of physical force.
Resolve Battle: After performing a Battle Action, the player rolls the dice. Depending on the roll, the player may hit the enemy, force the enemy to retreat, or miss entirely.
Apply Results: After the dice roll, the player applies the results. Hits remove figures from the enemy unit, while flags force the enemy unit to retreat.

3. Victory Phase: This is the final phase of the game. During the Victory Phase, the player checks if they have met the victory conditions of the scenario. If they have, they win the game. If not, the turn ends, and the next player’s turn begins with their Command Phase.

In BattleLore, strategy, luck, and a well-played command card can turn the tide of battle. The game continues until one player meets the victory conditions set by the scenario, thus winning the game.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

BattleLore is a strategy board game with a rich, turn-based gameplay system. During a player’s turn in BattleLore, several actions can be taken. These actions will greatly impact the flow of the game and the player’s overall strategy.

Ordering Troops: At the start of a turn, a player will pick a command card from their hand and decide which section of the battlefield their orders will apply to. They can order as many units as indicated on the card. The player then declares these orders to their opponent.

Strategic Choice: This step requires strategic thinking as the decision will affect the player’s control over the battlefield. The player must consider the strengths and weaknesses of their units, the position of enemy units, and their overall game strategy.

Movement: After declaring their orders, the player moves their ordered units. Different units have different movement capabilities, and terrain can also affect movement.

Strategic Choice: The player must consider their units’ positions relative to the enemy. Advancing may allow the player to attack, but it could also expose their units to enemy fire. A careful balance must be struck between aggression and defense.

Combat: After moving, the player can choose to attack with their units. The player rolls a number of dice equal to their unit’s combat score, and the results determine the outcome of the attack.

Strategic Choice: The player must consider whether to attack at all, and if so, which enemy unit to target. The player should consider the relative strengths of their unit and the target unit, as well as the potential rewards and risks of the attack.

Draw a New Command Card: At the end of their turn, the player draws a new command card to replace the one they played. This ensures that the player always has the same number of command cards at the start of their turn.

Strategic Choice: The player must consider the new card’s potential uses in their future strategy. They should consider how the card could be used to order their units, and how it could affect the battlefield situation.

In BattleLore, each player’s turn is filled with strategic decisions, each of which can greatly affect the outcome of the game. By carefully considering their options and making wise choices, players can gain the upper hand and achieve victory.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

BattleLore is a strategy board game where two players command armies and strive to overcome their opponents. The game concludes under certain conditions, which are termed ‘Victory Conditions’. These conditions determine the end of the game and reveal the ultimate victor.

Here’s a detailed explanation of the victory conditions and the actions players must take before final scoring:

Victory Conditions:

Victory Points: The primary way to win the game is by earning Victory Points (VPs). These are awarded for defeating enemy units. Each enemy unit eliminated earns the player one VP. The game ends immediately when a player reaches a certain number of VPs, usually 16, depending on the scenario.
Scenario Objectives: Some scenarios in BattleLore have specific objectives. These objectives, when achieved, can bring the game to an end. They might involve capturing a particular territory, protecting a specific unit, or destroying a particular enemy unit. The scenario’s instructions will detail these objectives and their associated VPs.

Actions Before Final Scoring:

Before final scoring, players should ensure that all ongoing actions and effects have been resolved. This includes:

Checking for Unresolved Battles: If there are any battles still ongoing at the time a player reaches the required VPs or fulfills the scenario objectives, these battles must be resolved first. Players conduct the battles as per normal game rules and the results may affect the final VPs tally.
Resolving Special Abilities and Card Effects: Some units have special abilities that may trigger upon their defeat or at the end of the game. Similarly, some card effects could potentially affect the game’s outcome even after a player has apparently reached the victory conditions. Players must ensure all such abilities and effects are resolved before declaring the game over.
Counting Victory Points: Once all battles, abilities and effects have been resolved, players count their VPs. This involves tallying points from defeated units and any additional points from scenario objectives or card effects. The player with the most VPs is declared the winner.

If there’s a tie in the final VPs tally, the player who was the first to reach the game’s required VPs, as per the scenario instructions, is declared the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

‘BattleLore’ is a two-player board game that combines elements of strategy, combat, and history. The game is won by earning victory points, which are awarded for successful combat and achieving specific objectives. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the scoring system:

Victory Points

Combat Victory: Players are awarded one victory point for each enemy unit they eliminate from the board.
Objective Achievement: Players can also earn victory points by accomplishing specific goals set out in the scenario’s victory conditions. These vary from scenario to scenario and can be worth multiple points.

The game ends immediately when a player reaches a set number of victory points, typically six, but it can vary depending on the scenario.

Tie-breaking Rules

If both players reach the victory point goal on the same turn, the player with the most total victory points is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who caused the most casualties to their opponent wins.
If it’s still a tie, the player who took the first turn of the game is the winner.

Remember, in ‘BattleLore’, strategy is key – while combat can earn you points, achieving your objectives can often swing the tide of battle in your favour!

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

BattleLore is a strategy board game full of intricate details and unique rules. Here are some rare or special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that players should be aware of:

1. Lore Master:

Each player has a Lore Master that can use Lore to cast powerful spells and abilities. It’s important to note that:

A player can only use the Lore abilities at the start of their turn before playing a Command card.
These Lore abilities are not mandatory, and a player can choose not to use them.

2. Battle Back:

The Battle Back rule allows a unit that has been attacked and has not been eliminated or forced to retreat to attack back immediately. Remember:

The attacker must be in the defending unit’s frontal hex and within range.
The defending unit may not battle back if it was the active player’s unit during a previous battle back in the same turn.

3. Forced Retreat:

Units are sometimes forced to retreat. The rules around this mechanism are:

A unit must retreat towards its own side of the board for each retreat flag rolled against it.
If a unit is unable to complete its full retreat, it loses one figure for each hex it cannot retreat.

4. The Specialist Abilities:

Various units have special abilities based on their type:

Dwarven Cattle Riders: They can move two hexes and still battle. Their battle dice are not reduced when moving.
Goblin Skulkers: They can move two hexes and still battle. If they start their turn on a Forest hex, they can move three hexes and still battle.
Hill Giant: They can ignore the first flag rolled against them and they can also move two hexes and battle.

5. Epic BattleLore:

Epic BattleLore is played with two BattleLore sets and allows for up to eight players. The main rule variations are:

Each player controls one section of the battlefield and plays a Command card from their own hand.
During the Victory Phase, a player only draws a Command card if the player did not play a Command card during their turn.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Always take advantage of the Lore system. Lore can be used to cast powerful spells, summon mythical creatures, and provide your troops with useful bonuses.
Learn how to effectively use your Command cards. These cards are key to your strategy, allowing you to order your troops and carry out special actions. Knowing when to play the right Command card can turn the tide of battle.
Utilize the terrain to your advantage. Different units gain bonuses or suffer penalties based on the type of terrain they are in. Positioning your units in terrain that benefits them can give you an edge in combat.

Beginner Tips:

Start by mastering the basic rules before diving into the more complex Lore system. Understanding the basics of movement, combat, and command will provide a strong foundation for more advanced play.
Don’t underestimate the power of ranged attacks. Archers and other ranged units can deal damage without risking retaliation, which can prove invaluable in whittling down enemy forces.
Try to keep your units together. A lone unit is an easy target, while a group of units can support each other in combat.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t forget to use your Lore. Many new players forget about their Lore, missing out on the powerful abilities it can provide.
Avoid over-extending your forces. It can be tempting to charge forward, but doing so can leave your units isolated and vulnerable.
Don’t forget to use your Command cards. These cards are a crucial part of your strategy, and forgetting to use them can put you at a significant disadvantage.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Use a balanced force. A mix of infantry, cavalry, and ranged units can handle a variety of situations, providing flexibility in your strategy.
Plan your moves ahead of time. Try to anticipate your opponent’s actions and plan your moves accordingly.
Keep track of your opponent’s Lore. Knowing what abilities your opponent can potentially use can help you plan your strategy and prevent any nasty surprises.