Claustrophobia

2009

Step into the world of Hell Dorado with Claustrophobia. A tense, scenario-based game where humans battle against a horde of demons. Easy to learn, hard to master!

45
minutes

2 - 2
player(s)

14+

Medium

About the game

The board game ‘Claustrophobia’ is an immersive, thrilling, and strategic experience that pits human explorers against demonic creatures in the dark, subterranean depths of New Jerusalem. The game is set within the confines of a hostile labyrinth, where every turn can bring new dangers and dreadful encounters.

The unique aspect of ‘Claustrophobia’ is its asymmetric gameplay. One player controls a small group of ill-equipped human survivors, while the other player commands the multitude of demonic entities lurking in the shadows. This strategic divergence creates a captivating dynamic that ensures each game is unique and unpredictable.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Claustrophobia is a board game that includes several physical components, each of which plays an important role in the game. Here’s a detailed description of each component:

1. Game Tiles: These are the main components of the game board. Each tile represents a section of the underground labyrinth where the game takes place. Tiles are placed next to each other, changing the game board and the potential strategic decisions with each game.

2. Human Player Characters: There are different types of characters that the human player can control. These include the Redeemer, Condemned Blade, and Condemned Brute. Each character has its own abilities and stats that affect how they interact with the game environment and the demonic player.

3. Demon Player Characters: The demon player controls various types of demonic creatures. Each creature has different abilities and stats that change how the demon player can interact with the game and human players.

4. Dice: Dice are used to resolve combat, determine certain actions, and generate random events. The outcome of a dice roll can greatly affect the course of the game.

5. Character Sheets: These sheets contain all the information about a player’s character, including their abilities, stats, and health. They assist in tracking the character’s progress and condition throughout the game.

6. Tokens: Tokens represent various game elements, such as character health, status effects, and territory control. They are used to track changes in the game state.

7. Cards: The game includes several types of cards, including Threat cards, Event cards, and Equipment cards. These can affect the game by introducing new challenges, opportunities, and resources for the players.

8. Rulebook: This contains all the rules and instructions for the game. It is vital for understanding how to play and reference during the game.

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

Claustrophobia is a thrilling, tactical board game set in a dark and gruesome underworld. The game is played between two players: one controlling a group of humans and the other controlling the demonic hordes. Here is a step-by-step guide on setting up the game:

Step 1: Determine Player Roles
First, each player should choose their role. One player will take on the role of the humans, who are trying to achieve specific objectives, while the other player will take on the role of the demonic hordes, who are trying to hinder the humans and ultimately destroy them.

Step 2: Prepare the Game Tiles
After determining roles, shuffle the game tiles and place them in a stack. These tiles represent the series of tunnels and rooms that the human players will have to navigate through. The demonic player will draw tiles from this stack and place them on the table to form the game board.

Step 3: Set Up the Characters
The human player should then select their characters. Each character has a corresponding miniature figure and a character sheet. Place the miniatures at the entrance of the first tunnel and set the character sheets in front of you. Characters start with their health and sanity at maximum, so place the corresponding markers at the top of their respective tracks.

Step 4: Prepare the Demonic Hordes
The demonic player then sets up their hordes. They have access to a variety of monsters, each represented by a miniature figure. The player will start with a certain number of these figures, as indicated by the scenario being played. The demonic player also has a pool of threat points, which can be used to summon more monsters or trigger special abilities.

Step 5: Select a Scenario
Claustrophobia comes with a book of scenarios, each specifying a unique objective for the human player, layout for the game tiles, starting resources for both players, and special rules. Choose a scenario, read it aloud, and set up the game accordingly.

Step 6: Place Initial Resources
Depending on the chosen scenario, players will place their initial resources. This may include weapons for the human characters, extra monsters for the demonic player, or other special items. These items are represented by cards, which should be placed next to the corresponding player’s character sheets.

Step 7: Shuffle the Dice
Claustrophobia uses a unique dice mechanic for determining actions. All dice should be placed in a cup or bag and thoroughly shuffled. The human player will draw a certain number of dice each turn, which will determine their available actions for that turn.

Step 8: Begin the Game
With the board set up, characters in place, and initial resources distributed, the game can begin. The human player typically takes the first turn, followed by the demonic player. Turns alternate between the two players until the scenario’s objective is either achieved or failed.

Game flow Round and round we go

Claustrophobia is an asymmetrical strategy board game for two players, one controlling a group of human survivors and the other controlling demonic entities in a subterranean setting. The game plays out in a series of rounds, each with distinct phases.

Each round in Claustrophobia is structured as follows:

Initiative Phase: The Human player rolls as many dice as there are surviving characters, then assigns each die to a character. The total of the dice determines which player has the initiative for the round. The player with the highest total has the option to play first or second in the following phase.
Activation Phase: Players take turns to activate their characters, starting with the player who has the initiative. Activated characters can move and/or perform an action, such as attack, search, or use a special ability. Once all characters have acted, the phase ends.
Event Phase: The Demon player draws an event card and applies its effects. This could introduce new threats, modify existing conditions, or provide temporary benefits. This phase only takes place after the first round.
Reinforcement Phase: The Demon player potentially obtains new units based on a die roll and the current threat level. These reinforcements can be placed in any unoccupied dark spaces on the board.
End Phase: The players check for end of game conditions. If the game has not ended, a new round begins with the Initiative Phase.

The actions players can perform during the Activation Phase vary depending on their side:

Human Actions: Human characters can move, attack demons, search tiles for useful items, use items, or activate their special abilities. The exact options available depend on the die assigned to them at the beginning of the round.
Demon Actions: The Demon player can move their units, attack human characters, or use the special abilities of their demons. However, the Demon player does not roll or assign dice like the Human player.

Throughout the game, the Human player aims to complete their mission objective (which varies from game to game) while the Demon player tries to stop them by killing their characters or completing their own objective first. The game ends when one player completes their objective, or all Human characters are killed.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Claustrophobia is a strategy board game set in a post-apocalyptic underground environment. The game pits humans against demons in a battle for survival. Gameplay is divided into turns, with each player performing a variety of actions during their turn. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn:

Human’s Turn:

Initiative Phase: At the start of a human player’s turn, they roll dice to determine the order of play. This can impact the strategy for the turn, as it determines who gets to act first.
Action Phase: During this phase, the human player can perform several actions:
- Move: The human player can move their troops across the board. This can be used to avoid demons, reach objectives, or position for an attack.
- Attack: The human player can choose to attack demons. The outcome of an attack is determined by dice roll.
- Defend: The human player can choose to defend against incoming demon attacks. This reduces damage but does not eliminate it.
- Use Equipment: The human player can use equipment cards to gain advantages. These can include weapons for better attacks, armor for better defense, or utility items for various effects.
End Phase: At the end of the human player’s turn, they can discard any unwanted equipment cards and draw new ones. This is also when any ongoing effects are resolved.

Demon’s Turn:

Threat Phase: At the start of the demon player’s turn, they gain threat points based on the number of humans on the board. These points can be used to summon more demons, cast spells, or activate special abilities.
Action Phase: During this phase, the demon player can perform several actions:
- Summon Demons: The demon player can spend threat points to summon more demons onto the board. This can be used to overwhelm the humans or block their path.
- Cast Spells: The demon player can spend threat points to cast spells. These can have a variety of effects, such as damaging humans, buffing demons, or altering the board.
- Move and Attack: The demon player can move their demons and attack humans. Like the human player’s attacks, the outcome is determined by dice roll.
End Phase: At the end of the demon player’s turn, they can discard any unwanted spell cards and draw new ones. This is also when any ongoing effects are resolved.

The strategic choices made during a player’s turn can greatly influence the outcome of the game. For example, a human player might choose to focus on defense and slowly progress towards the objective, while a demon player might choose to aggressively summon demons and push for a quick victory. Each turn is a balance between risk and reward, strategy and tactics.

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

Claustrophobia is a strategic, two-player board game where one player controls a group of human explorers and the other controls a horde of demons. The game ends when certain conditions, as defined by the scenario, are met. Each scenario in the rulebook has different victory conditions for both the human and demon sides.

Victory Conditions:

For the Human Player:

The human player typically wins by achieving a certain objective, such as reaching a particular location on the board or surviving a certain number of turns.
Some scenarios may also require the human player to eliminate a specific number of demons.

For the Demon Player:

The demon player usually wins by killing all the human explorers.
In some scenarios, the demon player could also win by preventing the humans from achieving their objective within a certain number of turns.

Actions before final scoring:

Before declaring the game over and determining the winner, players must follow these steps:

Complete the current turn: Ensure that the current turn is fully completed, including all actions, combat, and movement.
Check victory conditions: Review the scenario’s specific victory conditions to see if they have been met.
Count remaining units: If the victory condition involves a specific number of surviving units, count the remaining units on the board.

In some scenarios, the game may also end in a draw if neither player has achieved their victory conditions within a specified number of turns.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

‘Claustrophobia’ is a unique strategy board game where players take on the roles of either humans or demons in a subterranean clash of wits. The scoring system in ‘Claustrophobia’ is based on completing objectives rather than accumulating points. However, the ability to reach these objectives varies depending on the scenario chosen at the beginning of the game.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the scoring system works in ‘Claustrophobia’:

Humans: The human player scores by achieving the objectives outlined in the scenario. This typically involves reaching a certain part of the board, surviving for a specific number of turns or killing a certain number of demons. Each scenario has different objectives, and the human player wins if they complete all of them.
Demons: The demon player scores by preventing the human player from achieving their objectives. This might involve killing all the human characters, or simply delaying the human player long enough that they run out of turns.

Since ‘Claustrophobia’ is a two-player game, there is no point system to determine the winner – the player who first achieves their objectives wins the game. However, in the case of a tie, where both players achieve their objectives in the same round, the game has specific tie-breaking rules.

The tie-breaking rules in ‘Claustrophobia’ are as follows:

If both players achieve their objectives in the same round, the human player takes priority and wins the game.
In the rare event that the priority rule doesn’t apply (for instance, in some custom scenarios), the winner is whoever has lost fewer characters. If that is also a tie, the winner is the player who has the most remaining health across all their characters.

Please note: While ‘Claustrophobia’ is generally a two-player game, it can be adapted for three or four players. In these cases, the scoring system and tie-breaking rules remain the same – the team that first achieves their objectives wins, with the human team taking priority in the event of a tie.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Claustrophobia is a board game with a unique set of rules that can be complex for beginners. However, understanding these rules enhances the gaming experience. Some of the rare or special rules, exceptions, and clarifications include:

1. Dice Allocation:

In Claustrophobia, the human player rolls dice at the start of each turn and assigns these dice to their characters. However, assigning dice isn’t as simple as choosing the best result for each character. Each character has a set of lines with specific dice numbers. Once a dice is assigned to a line, it cannot be reassigned until the line is completely filled.

2. Damage and Health:

Characters in Claustrophobia do not have a traditional health pool. Instead, when a character takes damage, the player must fill a line on their character card with a damage marker. If all lines become filled, the character is eliminated from the game. However, damage can be healed, which allows the removal of a damage marker from a line on the character card.

3. Redeemer’s Special Abilities:

The Redeemer has special abilities that can be activated by assigning a 6-sided dice to it. The exceptions to this rule include the ability to heal a character and the ability to remove an Apocalypse card from play. However, these abilities cannot be used if the line on the Redeemer’s card is filled with damage markers.

4. Troglodytes’ Spawn:

The demon player can spawn Troglodytes, but only on specific tiles and only if they have sufficient Threat Points. Additionally, there is a limit to the number of Troglodytes that can be on a tile at any given time.

5. Scenario Objectives:

Each game of Claustrophobia is played based on a scenario. These scenarios have specific objectives that both players must strive to complete. Understanding these objectives is critical as they not only dictate the players’ goals but also the specific rules and restrictions of each game.

6. Tile Exploration:

Exploration of tiles does not follow the traditional board game rule of moving from one connected tile to another. In Claustrophobia, the human player can choose any tile from the stack when exploring, adding an element of unpredictability to the game.

These are only a few examples of the unique rules in Claustrophobia. It is crucial to thoroughly understand these rules and exceptions to fully enjoy and master the game.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Claustrophobia is a game of tactical survival where strategic planning is paramount. Here are some advanced strategies:

Plan your moves carefully: Unlike other games, Claustrophobia doesn’t allow for much improvisation. Every move should be considered carefully.
Think ahead: Each game of Claustrophobia is a story, and each decision can have long-term implications. Plan not only for your next move, but for several moves ahead.
Know your enemies: Understanding the abilities and limitations of your opponent can give you an advantage. Use this knowledge to your advantage when planning your moves.

Beginner Tips:

Starting out with Claustrophobia can be a bit daunting, but these tips should help you get started:

Don’t rush: This game rewards patience and strategic thinking. Take your time and think through your moves.
Learn the rules: Make sure you understand the rules thoroughly. This will allow you to plan better and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Ask for help: If you’re playing with more experienced players, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. They can help you understand the game and develop your own strategies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Here are some common mistakes that new players often make:

Not planning ahead: Claustrophobia is a game of strategy, not luck. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Not using your abilities: Each character has unique abilities. Not using them to their full potential can cost you the game.
Not adapting: The game changes with each turn. If you stick to one strategy without adapting to the changing circumstances, you’re likely to lose.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Finally, here are some ways to optimize your gameplay:

Be flexible: A good strategy needs to be flexible. Be ready to change your plans if the situation calls for it.
Communicate: If you’re playing in a team, communication is key. Make sure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.
Practice: The more you play, the better you’ll become. Practice makes perfect!