Runewars

2010

Immerse yourself in Runewars, a board game of epic conquests and strategic battles. Gather resources, raise armies and seize control in this fantastical universe.

240
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

14+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Welcome to the captivating world of Runewars, a strategy board game that is all about ambition, conquest, and survival. Set in a fantastical realm teeming with magic, warriors, and mythical creatures, Runewars offers a thrilling and immersive gaming experience.

The game takes place in the world of Terrinoth, a landscape filled with vast forests, towering mountains, and sprawling deserts. Players navigate this diverse terrain, seeking to expand their kingdoms and seize the mystical Dragon Runes, powerful artifacts which can tip the balance of power significantly.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Runewars is a strategic board game that includes numerous components. Each component adds depth to the gameplay and influences the player’s actions and strategies. Here is a detailed list of the components included in ‘Runewars’:

1. Game Board:

The game board represents the land of Terrinoth, divided into various areas. Players place their units, heroes, and stronghold on this board. The game board is modular, allowing for different setups each game.

2. Player Shields:

Each player receives a player shield to keep their resources, developments, and objectives secret from other players. It promotes strategic planning and prevents opponents from predicting your moves.

3. Faction Sheets:

Each player chooses a faction sheet that represents their chosen race. It displays the race’s special abilities and provides a guide for unit deployment costs and upgrades.

4. Plastic Figures and Bases:

There are various plastic figures representing different units (infantry, cavalry, siege engines, heroes, etc.). Each figure belongs to a specific faction, as indicated by the color of its base. These figures move across the game board, engaging in battles and controlling territories.

5. Cards:

There are several types of cards in Runewars:

Season Cards: These cards are drawn at the start of each round and dictate the game’s progression, including special events and resource production.
Objective Cards: These cards provide players with secret objectives that, when fulfilled, grant victory points.
Tactic Cards: These cards add an extra level of strategy to battles, allowing players to surprise their enemies with unexpected maneuvers.
Hero Cards: These cards provide detailed information about each faction’s heroes, including their abilities and stats for combat.
Quest Cards: These cards provide heroes with special missions that can grant powerful rewards.

6. Tokens:

Several tokens are used to track various game aspects:

Resource Tokens: These tokens represent the game’s three resources: food, ore, and magic.
Influence Tokens: These tokens are used to bid on turn order and to influence neutral factions.
Damage Tokens: These tokens track the damage inflicted on units during combat.
Victory Point Tokens: These tokens track the players’ progress towards victory.

7. Dice:

Dice are used to resolve combat and hero quests. The results can be influenced by the units involved, tactical cards, and hero abilities.

8. Order Tokens:

Each player has five order tokens representing different actions (march, recruit, build, strategize, and mobilize). Players secretly choose and place their orders at the start of each round, then reveal and execute them in turn order.

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

Step 1: Determine Player Roles

Firstly, each player chooses one of the four unique factions – the Daqan Lords, the Latari Elves, the Uthuk Y’llan, or the Waiqar the Undying. Each faction has its own strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities. Players must familiarize themselves with their chosen faction to strategize effectively.

Step 2: Set Up the Game Board

Unlike other board games, ‘Runewars’ does not have a predefined board, but rather consists of interlocking hexagonal tiles. To set up the game board, shuffle the tiles and place them face down in a pile. Starting with the first player and continuing clockwise, each player draws a tile and places it on the table. The first tile can be placed anywhere, but subsequent tiles must be placed so that they share at least one side with an already placed tile. Continue until all tiles are placed, creating a unique game board each time.

Step 3: Place Starting Units

Each player places their starting units on the game board. The number and type of starting units depend on the chosen faction. Place these units on your faction’s home realm tile or any adjacent tile.

Step 4: Determine Initial Resources

Each player begins with a set number of resources. The type and amount of these resources depend on the chosen faction. Resources are used to recruit units, build structures, and perform other actions during the game.

Step 5: Shuffle and Distribute Cards

Shuffle the season cards and place them in a deck next to the game board. Each player draws a number of cards from this deck at the start of the game. These cards provide players with additional resources, abilities, and other advantages during the game.

Step 6: Prepare the Supply

Prepare the supply by placing the dice, tokens, and other game pieces next to the game board. These will be used throughout the game.

Step 7: Determine First Player

Randomly determine the first player. This player takes the first player token and begins the first round of the game.

Now that the game is set up, players take turns in clockwise order, starting with the first player. On a player’s turn, they may perform actions such as moving units, attacking, recruiting, building, and using special abilities. The game continues until one player controls a certain number of dragon runes or the season deck runs out.

Game flow Round and round we go

Runewars is a strategic board game set in a fantasy universe, where players lead their factions to victory by controlling resources, engaging in warfare, and completing quests. The game is played over a series of rounds, each divided into several phases.

1. The Start-of-Round Phase:

Seasonal Effects: At the start of each round, players apply the seasonal effect listed on the current season card. Seasonal effects may include gaining or losing resources, triggering special events, or adjusting the order of play.
Hero Upgrade: Players have the opportunity to upgrade their heroes by spending experience points earned from previous rounds.

2. The Action Phase:

Order Assignment: Each player places order tokens face down on their faction sheet, indicating the actions they wish to perform this round.
Action Resolution: Starting with the first player and proceeding clockwise, each player reveals and resolves one of their order tokens. Actions can include moving units, initiating combat, recruiting troops, or gathering resources.

3. The Status Phase:

Quests: Players reveal and attempt to complete quests. Successful completion of quests can provide victory points, resources, or other benefits.
Fate: A fate card is drawn, triggering a game-wide event or condition for the next round.
Supply: Players check their supply and adjust their forces accordingly. If they have more units than their current supply allows, they must eliminate excess units.
Victory Point Check: Players count their victory points. If a player has reached the victory point threshold, the game ends and that player is declared the winner. If not, a new round begins.

4. The End-of-Round Phase:

Refresh: Players refresh their cards, tokens, and other game components, preparing for the next round.
First Player: The first player token is passed to the next player in clockwise order.

These phases continue until a player achieves the victory condition as stated in the game rules, which typically involves acquiring a certain number of victory points before their opponents.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Runewars, players engage in strategic battles, resource management, and territory control to achieve victory. Each player’s turn is divided into several phases, each presenting unique actions and strategic choices. These phases are as follows:

1. Refresh Phase

During the refresh phase, the player completes the following actions in order:

Ready Cards: All exhausted cards are returned to their active position.
Reset Influence Track: The player resets their influence markers to their starting positions. This can affect the player’s ability to bid during future turns.
Draw Objective Card: The player draws one objective card. This can give the player a strategic goal to aim for during their turn.

2. Draw Phase

The player draws three cards from their faction deck, providing them with potential actions or enhancements for their units. These cards can significantly affect the player’s strategy for the turn.

3. Growth Phase

During the growth phase, the player has two options:

Recruit Units: The player may spend resources to recruit new units to their army. The type and quantity of units recruited can influence the player’s offensive and defensive capabilities.
Build Structures: The player may also spend resources to build new structures within their territory. These structures can provide a range of benefits, including improved defenses, resource production, and unit upgrades.

4. Command Phase

In the command phase, the player can issue orders to their units. Possible orders include:

Move: The player may move their units to an adjacent territory.
Attack: If the player’s units are in a territory with enemy units, they may engage in combat.
Quest: The player’s heroes can embark on a quest, potentially earning powerful rewards.

5. Cleanup Phase

During the cleanup phase, the player performs several actions to prepare for the next turn, such as discarding down to the hand limit and resolving any end-of-turn effects.

Understanding these actions and strategic choices is crucial for effective gameplay in Runewars. By carefully managing resources, positioning units, and pursuing objectives, players can develop a strategy to outmaneuver their opponents and claim victory.

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

Runewars is an epic board game of conquest, adventure, and fantasy empires. The game ends under certain conditions, which involve the completion of a specific number of game rounds or the acquisition of a certain number of dragon runes by a player.

A game of Runewars ends under the following circumstances:

Completion of a Specified Number of Game Rounds: The game ends after the completion of a predetermined number of rounds, usually seven. In this case, the player who has the most dragon runes at the end of the final round is declared the winner. If there’s a tie, the player with the highest total number of objective points is the winner.
Acquisition of Six Dragon Runes: The game also ends immediately if a player manages to acquire six dragon runes. This player is declared the winner, regardless of the number of game rounds completed.

Before final scoring can take place, players must take the following actions:

Resolve any Unfinished Battles: If there are any battles still in progress at the end of the final game round, these must be resolved before final scoring. The player who wins the most battles gains one dragon rune.
Count Dragon Runes: Each player counts the number of dragon runes they have acquired throughout the game. These runes are the main source of victory points.
Calculate Objective Points: If there is a tie in the number of dragon runes, the player with the highest total number of objective points is declared the winner. Objective points are gained through successful completion of quests and conquest of territories.

In summary, a game of Runewars ends either after a specified number of rounds or when a player acquires a certain number of dragon runes. Battles must be resolved, and dragon runes and objective points counted, before final scoring and the declaration of a winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Runewars is a strategic board game of epic proportions where players aim to amass the most Dragon Runes to win. The scoring system is built around the accumulation of these Dragon Runes. Here’s a detailed account of the scoring system:

1. Dragon Runes:

Acquisition: Dragon Runes can be obtained by successfully attacking and winning battles against rivals, or by exploring the land and discovering them on the map.
Scoring: Each Dragon Rune a player holds contributes significantly to the final score. The more Dragon Runes a player has, the higher their score.

2. Realm Influence:

Acquisition: Realm Influence points are gained by controlling territories on the map. The player’s power expands with every territory they control.
Scoring: Each territory controlled by a player contributes to their final score. The more territories a player controls, the higher their score.

3. Hero Quests:

Acquisition: Hero Quests are specific tasks that can be accomplished by a player’s heroes. These tasks often involve slaying monsters, exploring dangerous regions, or retrieving special items.
Scoring: Each completed Hero Quest adds to a player’s final score. The more Hero Quests a player completes, the higher their score.

Tie-Breaking Rules: If two or more players have an equal number of points at the end of the game, the tie is broken using the following rules:

The player with the most Dragon Runes wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most controlled territories wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who has completed the most Hero Quests wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who went first in the game wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Runewars is a complex and multi-faceted board game with numerous rules and exceptions. Here are some important ones to note:

1. Hero Cards:

In Runewars, heroes are governed by their own unique set of rules. They are not considered units and do not belong to any specific faction. Thus, they cannot be targeted by effects that affect a particular faction or unit type.

2. Seasonal Effects:

Each season in Runewars comes with its own set of effects. In the Summer, for example, the player with the Imperial token gets an extra hero action, whereas in the Winter, all players must discard down to five cards.

3. Dragon Rune Rules:

The dragon runes in Runewars are treated differently from other runes. They cannot be used for their energy, and if a player loses a dragon rune, it is removed from the game permanently.

4. Quests:

Players can only have three quests at any one time. If they would gain another, they must first discard one of their current quests.

5. Combat:

During combat, players calculate their total combat strength by adding the strength of all units involved, any bonuses from tactics cards, and any relevant hero abilities. However, it’s important to note that a player’s total combat strength cannot exceed the number of units they have in the combat.

6. Retreats:

Retreat rules in Runewars are a bit different. When a player’s units retreat, they move to an adjacent area that doesn’t contain enemy units. If there is no such area, the units are destroyed instead.

7. Neutral Units:

Neutral units in Runewars always defend if they are attacked, but they never initiate combat. They also cannot be moved or controlled by players in any way.

8. Tile Placement:

When placing new tiles on the board, they must always be placed adjacent to at least two other tiles if possible. If not, they must be placed adjacent to one other tile.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for Runewars

Runewars is a strategic board game that requires careful planning and decision-making. To master the game, consider the following advanced strategies:

Plan your moves ahead: Anticipate not only your next move, but several turns ahead. This allows you to adjust your strategy based on the actions of your opponents.
Balance resource management: It’s essential to maintain a balance between food, wood, and ore, which are the main resources in the game. Don’t neglect one for the other.
Utilize heroes wisely: Heroes can turn the tide of a game. Use them wisely to explore, quest, or to tip the scales in a battle.
Know your enemy: Pay attention to your opponent’s faction and their abilities. Each faction has its strengths and weaknesses, so adjust your strategy accordingly.

Beginner Tips for Runewars

If you’re new to Runewars, here are a few tips to help you get started:

Learn the rules well: The rulebook is your friend. Make sure to read and understand it properly before you start playing.
Start with a simple faction: Each faction has different abilities and complexities. Starting with a simpler faction can help you understand the game mechanics better.
Don’t ignore the quests: Quests can provide your faction with powerful artifacts and influence. They should not be ignored.
Practice: Like any strategic board game, the more you play, the better you’ll get. Don’t worry about losing initially.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Runewars

Even experienced players can make mistakes in Runewars. Here are some to avoid:

Forgetting about the end game: It’s easy to get caught up in the immediate battles and ignore long-term strategy. Remember, the game is won by controlling the most dragon runes at the end.
Ignoring the Seasons: Each season in Runewars brings different effects. Ignoring these can lead to missed opportunities or unexpected setbacks.
Mishandling resources: Resources are limited and must be managed carefully. Wasting resources can leave you in a tough spot later in the game.
Underestimating the power of diplomacy: Diplomacy can be a powerful tool in Runewars. Neglecting to form alliances or negotiate with other players can cost you the game.

Optimizing Gameplay in Runewars

To optimize your gameplay in Runewars, consider the following:

Maintain flexibility: Your strategy should be flexible enough to adapt to the changing game dynamics. Being rigid can make you predictable and easy to defeat.
Master the timing: Timing is crucial in Runewars, especially when it comes to battles and quests. Mastering the right timing can give you a significant advantage.
Use your faction’s strengths: Each faction has unique abilities. Make sure to use these to your advantage.
Learn from losses: Each loss is an opportunity to learn and improve. Analyze your games, identify mistakes, and work on improving them for future games.