Destinies

2021

Destinies is a competitive, app-supported board game set in a dark, medieval-fantasy universe. Explore, make impactful choices, and fulfill your hero's destiny.

150
minutes

1 - 3
player(s)

14+

Medium Light

About the game

Welcome to the immersive world of the board game ‘Destinies’. This game is a unique blend of RPG (Role Playing Game) elements and classic board game mechanics that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The theme of the game is set in a rich, lore-filled world that draws inspiration from European folk tales and mythology. You’ll be transported to a medieval realm filled with mystery, adventure, and supernatural elements. From bustling marketplaces to haunted forests, the game’s detailed setting will captivate you and draw you into its narrative.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

‘Destinies’ is a competitive, story-driven, game of adventure, exploration, and decision-making. The game includes a variety of components, each with its own purpose and interaction within the game. Here is a detailed list:

The first component is the Game Box. This holds all the other components of the game. It is designed to be durable and to protect the components from damage.

1 Rulebook: The rulebook contains all the instructions on how to play the game. It explains the rules, setup, gameplay, and endgame conditions.
30 Map Tiles: These tiles are used to create the game board. As players explore, they will draw and place these tiles to reveal new locations and opportunities.
5 Player Boards: Each player has their own board which tracks their character’s skills and inventory. These boards are essential for planning and executing strategies throughout the game.
5 Player Miniatures: These miniatures represent each player’s character on the map. They are moved around the board to show the character’s current location.
15 Wooden Markers: These markers are used to track various stats and resources on the player boards.
15 Plastic Stands: The plastic stands are used to hold the character and enemy cards upright on the game board.
68 Cards: These cards represent a variety of items, allies, enemies, and events that players will encounter during the game. Each card has unique effects and can greatly influence the game’s outcome.
150 Tokens: Tokens are used to represent various resources and items that players can acquire and use during the game. They include health, wealth, experience, and more.
1 Game App: The game includes a free app which guides the narrative, keeps track of game progress, and resolves certain game mechanics. It is a vital component of the game and enhances the overall gameplay experience.

Each component in ‘Destinies’ is designed to create an immersive, interactive experience. The components work together to create a challenging and engaging game that encourages strategic thinking and decision-making.

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

Destinies is a competitive, story-driven, game of adventure and exploration, where players assume unique roles to fulfill their unique destinies. Follow these steps to set up the game:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player chooses a character card. These cards depict different roles including the Hunter, the Mayor, and the Seer. Each role has its own unique destiny to fulfill.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the main board in the center of the table. This board represents the village and the surrounding wilderness. The board is modular and consists of several tiles that can be arranged differently in each game, providing a unique experience every time you play.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Every player starts with a set of initial resources as indicated on their character card. This typically includes a small amount of gold, some basic items, and a unique skill related to their character’s profession.

Step 4: Random Elements

Destinies incorporates several random elements to add unpredictability and replayability to the game. These include:

Event Deck: Shuffle the event cards and place them in a deck next to the board. At the start of each round, draw an event card and apply its effects.
Item Deck: Shuffle the item cards and place them in a separate deck. Players can acquire new items from this deck throughout the game.
Destiny Cards: Each player receives a unique destiny card at the start of the game. These cards depict different end-game conditions and goals for the player to achieve. The specific destiny card for each player is selected at random from a deck.

Step 5: Initial Position

Players place their character tokens on the starting tile on the board. The starting tile is usually the village, but can vary depending on the scenario being played.

After setting up the game following these steps, you are ready to start your adventure in Destinies. Enjoy the game!

Game flow Round and round we go

The board game ‘Destinies’ is a competitive, story-driven game that combines adventure, exploration, and character development. The game is divided into rounds and each round consists of three phases: Start of Round, Player Turns, and End of Round.

Start of Round

At the beginning of each round, players will first verify if any of the scenarios’ destiny conditions have been met. If a player meets the conditions, he or she is declared the winner and the game ends. If no conditions are met, the game continues.

Player Turns

During the Player Turns phase, each player takes their turn in the order of the initiative track. On their turn, a player can perform two actions. These actions can be any of the following:

Move: The player moves their character to a different location on the game board.
Explore: The player explores a new tile, placing it on the board and revealing new locations.
Interact: The player interacts with a person, object, or place in their current location. They may need to perform a skill test, depending on the situation.

Each player can perform the same action twice or perform two different actions. Players can also use items or abilities before, after, or between their actions.

End of Round

Once all players have taken their turns, the End of Round phase begins. During this phase, all players check their hand size and discard excess cards to meet the hand limit. The Destiny Points are then adjusted according to the scenario’s rules and the initiative track is updated. The game then moves on to the next round unless a player has achieved their destiny condition.

It is important to remember that ‘Destinies’ is a game of strategy and decision-making. The choices players make throughout the game can dramatically affect the outcome. The game continues in this way until a player meets their destiny condition and is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

The game of ‘Destinies’ is a deeply immersive, story-driven strategy game where players take on the role of characters living in a dark, middle-age-inspired, fantasy world whose destiny is to fulfill their mission before anyone else. The gameplay revolves around exploration, diceless combat, and the development of your character’s traits. Here’s a thorough breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn:

Each player’s turn in ‘Destinies’ comprises of three steps: Start, Actions, and End.

1. Start:

At the beginning of each player’s turn, all players check their destiny. If a player has fulfilled their destiny, they announce it and the game ends. If not, the active player’s turn begins.

2. Actions:

During the action phase, the active player can perform two actions from the following list:

Move: The player can move their character to an adjacent location on the map. The impact on gameplay is that the player can discover new locations, find items, or encounter characters or events.
Explore: The player can explore their current location by flipping the location tile and reading the corresponding entry in the app. This reveals the people, items, or events at that location, providing new opportunities for interaction.
Interact: The player can interact with a person, item, or event at their location. The interaction is resolved through the app, which often involves making a skill test. The outcome can affect the player’s traits or progress towards their destiny.
Use item: The player can use an item they have acquired. The item’s effect is resolved through the app and can provide various benefits or progress towards the player’s destiny.

3. End:

The player ends their turn by passing the active player marker to the player on their left.

Strategically, players must balance their actions to explore new locations, interact with the world, and develop their traits, all while keeping an eye on their destiny. The game rewards players who carefully manage their resources and make strategic decisions based on the information available to them.

The game of ‘Destinies’ ends when a player fulfills their destiny. The player who does this first is declared the winner.

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

Destinies is a game that ends once a player has fulfilled their destiny, as outlined on their character’s specific Destiny card. The game does not end immediately when a player meets their Destiny, but rather at the end of that player’s turn. This allows other players to potentially meet their Destinies on their final turn and compete for victory.

Victory Conditions:

Destiny Fulfillment: A player wins the game by successfully fulfilling their character’s destiny. The specific requirements for fulfilling each destiny are detailed on the individual character cards.
Multiple Victories: If multiple players fulfill their Destinies on the same round, then the player who has the most Experience Points wins. If there’s still a tie, the player with the most Health Points wins.

Actions Before Final Scoring:

End Turn: After a player believes they have met their Destiny, they must first end their turn. This allows other players a final chance to attempt to fulfill their own destinies.
Check Fulfillment: At the end of the turn, the player checks if they have truly met the requirements detailed on their Destiny card. If they have, they may declare fulfillment.
Final Scoring: After a player has declared fulfillment of their Destiny, final scoring occurs. Experience Points and Health Points are counted to determine the winner in case of multiple destiny fulfillments.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

‘Destinies’ Scoring System is based on achieving your character’s destiny as well as completing other objectives throughout the game. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how points are awarded and the tie-breaking rules in ‘Destinies’:

1. Achieving Your Destiny:

The main goal in the game is to fulfill your character’s destiny. A player will earn points depending on how quickly they achieve their destiny. The sooner a player accomplishes their destiny, the more points they score.

First to achieve destiny: The player who first achieves their character’s destiny gets the maximum points.
Second to achieve destiny: The player who achieves their destiny next receives fewer points.
Third and subsequent players: Players who achieve their destiny thereafter receive even fewer points.

2. Completing Objectives:

Throughout the game, there are various objectives a player can complete to earn additional points. These objectives can include discovering locations, encountering characters, or acquiring certain items.

Discovery: Points are awarded for each new location discovered by the player.
Encounters: Points are given for each character a player encounters in the game.
Acquisition: Acquiring certain items in the game can also earn a player points.

3. Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, the following rules are applied to determine the winner:

First tie-breaker: The player who achieved their destiny first among the tied players wins.
Second tie-breaker: If the tie persists, the player who completed the most objectives wins.
Third tie-breaker: If there is still a tie, the player with the most items wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Destinies by Lucky Duck Games is a competitive, story-driven game mixed with exploration and puzzle-solving. Despite its generally straightforward rules, there are some unique elements, exceptions and clarifications that players need to be aware of:

1. The Destiny Points:

Despite their name, Destiny Points do not correlate directly to victory. They are more of a measure of your character’s progression in the story. The real goal is to fulfill your character’s destiny which may not always require the highest number of Destiny Points.

2. The Skill Check:

Skill checks are a fundamental part of Destinies, but it’s important to remember that a failed check doesn’t necessarily mean negative consequences. Often, it simply signifies a different branch in the narrative.

3. Item Use:

Items are not consumed when used unless explicitly stated on the card. Therefore, they can be used multiple times during the game.

4. The Encounter Cards:

Encounter cards are a key part of the game, but they should not be read until a player chooses to interact with a point of interest.

5. The Map Tiles:

Map tiles are revealed as players explore, but they must be placed adjacent to the tile the player is currently on. Diagonal placement is not allowed.

6. The App:

The companion app is integral to the game, but it’s important to remember that the app doesn’t “know” everything. For example, it doesn’t track your items. It’s up to players to remember to use their items at the appropriate times.

By understanding these rules and exceptions, players can fully immerse themselves in the rich narrative and strategic gameplay of Destinies.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Optimize your time: Don’t waste actions revisiting places that don’t contribute to your destiny. Try to determine your objectives as quickly as possible and focus your efforts there.
Master the Scan and Pass Mechanic: Use the Scan and Pass mechanic to your advantage. This can be a valuable tool to gather information and determine the best course of action.
Use Items Wisely: Be strategic in your use of items. Some may have multiple uses, and saving them for the right moment could turn the tide of the game.

Beginner Tips:

Understand Your Character: Each character has a unique destiny and abilities. Understanding these will help you make the best decisions throughout the game.
Explore: Spend time exploring the map and interacting with various elements. This will help you gather the items and information necessary to fulfill your destiny.
Use Your Skills: Don’t forget to use your skills. They can provide a significant advantage in certain situations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Your Destiny: Many players get caught up in exploring and forget about their destiny. Stay focused on your objectives.
Wasting Items: It can be tempting to use items as soon as you get them, but this can often be a mistake. Save your items for when they can have the most impact.
Underestimating Opponents: Never underestimate your opponents. Always keep an eye on their progress and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan Your Moves: Try to plan your moves ahead of time. This will help you stay focused and avoid wasting actions.
Communicate: If you’re playing a cooperative game, communication is key. Discuss your plans with your teammates and work together to achieve your goals.
Adapt: The game of Destinies can be unpredictable. Be ready to adapt your strategy as the game unfolds.