The Witcher: Old World

2023

Experience the legendary Witcher universe like never before in The Witcher: Old World. Travel, fight monsters, and compete against rival witchers in this immersive board game.

150
minutes

1 - 5
player(s)

14+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the enthralling world of The Witcher: Old World. This board game is set in a time before the saga of Geralt of Rivia, in a period when professional monster slayers had just begun to wander the world.

The game offers an immersive experience, set in the rich lore of The Witcher universe. The setting is a continent filled with diverse regions, each with its own unique set of challenges. From the icy tundras of the North to the sun-scorched deserts in the South, you will journey through dense forests, bustling cities, and treacherous mountains.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The board game ‘The Witcher: Old World’ comes with a variety of components that enrich the gameplay experience. Each component has a unique function and interaction within the game. Below is a detailed list and description of each.

1. Game Board

The game board represents the world in which the game is played. It is divided into several regions, each bearing its own opportunities and threats. Players move their Witcher character across the board, taking on quests, fighting monsters, and interacting with local townsfolk.

2. Witcher Miniatures

The game includes five highly detailed Witcher miniatures, each representing a different Witcher from the various schools. Players choose a miniature at the start of the game, which serves as their character token on the board.

3. Monster Cards

Monster cards represent the various creatures and villains that Witchers may encounter during their journeys. Each card contains information on the monster’s abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

4. Witcher School Cards

These cards represent the different Witcher schools that players can choose to belong to at the start of the game. Each school provides unique abilities and advantages to the player.

5. Quest Cards

Quest cards provide players with objectives to complete during the game. Completing quests can reward players with experience, gold, or other benefits.

6. Battle Dice

Battle dice are used during combat encounters with monsters. The outcome of dice rolls determine the success of attacks and the damage dealt to opponents.

7. Potion Tokens

Potion tokens represent the various concoctions that Witchers can brew and consume to enhance their abilities. They can grant temporary boosts during battles or provide healing effects.

8. Gold Coins

Gold coins serve as the currency of the game. Players earn coins by completing quests and defeating monsters, and can spend them to purchase equipment, potions, and other useful items.

9. Equipment Cards

Equipment cards represent weapons, armor, and other gear that Witchers can acquire and use. These cards enhance a player’s combat abilities and provide other benefits.

10. Event Cards

Event cards introduce random occurrences that can affect all players. These events can change game conditions, introduce new threats, or provide unexpected opportunities.

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

The Witcher: Old World is a thrilling game that immerses players in a fantasy world. The game is designed for 2 to 5 players and the setup primarily depends on the number of players participating. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player assumes the role of a Witcher from one of the five different schools – Wolf, Viper, Cat, Bear, or Griffin. The players will need to choose their Witcher and take the corresponding player board, colored markers, and miniatures.

Step 2: Board Placement

Position the main game board in the center of the play area. Each player should then place their player board in front of them. The location cards are then shuffled and placed faced down on the designated spots on the game board.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player receives a starting set of basic resources. This includes 3 basic potion cards, 1 Witcher medallion, and 1 set of Witcher gear (sword, armor, and signs). Players also receive a handful of coins and trophies (based on their chosen school) to start the game.

Step 4: Decks and Draw Piles

Shuffle the monster deck and place it face down next to the game board. Do the same for the training, advanced potion, and trophy decks. Each player then draws 5 cards from the training deck to form their initial hand.

Step 5: Monster Placement

Draw monsters from the monster deck and place them face up on the designated monster spots on the game board. The number of monsters should equal the number of players.

Step 6: Random Elements

The game includes some elements of randomness to add to the excitement. At the start of the game, shuffle the event deck and place it face down next to the game board. At the beginning of each round, reveal the top card from the event deck and follow the instructions.

Remember, the aim of the game is to gain the most fame by completing quests, defeating monsters, and training in your Witcher school. Happy gaming!

Game flow Round and round we go

‘The Witcher: Old World’ is a captivating board game that takes players into the world of monster hunting as they traverse through forests, mountains, and villages. The game is divided into several rounds and phases, each with specific actions that players must perform.

The structure of the game can be broken down as follows:

Preparation Phase: At the start of each round, players prepare for their journey. This involves:
- Refreshing their hand: Players draw cards from their deck until they have six in their hand. If their deck is empty, they shuffle their discard pile to form a new deck.
- Refreshing the region: If there are less than three monster cards present in a region, new ones are drawn from the deck and added to the board.
Action Phase: Players take turns to perform two actions each. They can choose from:
- Move: Players can move their Witcher up to two regions away.
- Train: Players can purchase a combat card to add to their deck.
- Rest: Players may heal their Witcher, removing damage tokens.
- Fight: Players can engage in a battle with a monster in their current region.
- Perform a task: Players can complete a task from a task card in their current region.
End of Round Phase: After all players have taken their turns, the round ends. Players must:
- Check their hand limit: Players can only keep six cards in their hand at the end of the round. Extra cards must be discarded.
- Advance the round marker: The round marker is moved one space forward on the round track.

The game continues in this manner until the final round. After the final round, players calculate their victory points from defeated monsters, completed tasks, and collected trophies. The player with the most victory points is declared the winner of ‘The Witcher: Old World’.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In ‘The Witcher: Old World’, a player’s turn consists of several strategic choices and possible actions which greatly affect the gameplay. Here’s a thorough breakdown of what happens:

1. Draw Cards:

The first action on a player’s turn is to draw up to their hand limit, which is initially five. These cards are the main way players interact with the game, and can include combat cards, witcher school cards, and more. The player can then choose to play a card, or save it for a later turn. This decision can greatly affect the player’s strategy and the game’s outcome.

2. Movement:

Players move their witcher around the board by spending travel points. A player can choose to move to an adjacent region, explore the wilderness, or enter a city. The choice of movement is strategic and can affect encounters with monsters, interactions with other players, and access to resources.

3. Action:

After movement, players can take one action. This could be to train (to gain new skills and abilities), rest (to recover health and prepare for future battles), or battle a monster (to gain victory points and rewards). This pivotal choice can greatly change a player’s standing in the game.

4. Encounters:

If a player ends their movement in a region with a monster token, they must resolve an encounter. This involves battling the monster using combat cards. Winning these encounters can yield valuable rewards, but losing can result in damage or other negative effects. The outcome of these battles can dramatically swing the game in one direction or another.

5. End of Turn:

The player’s turn ends after all actions and encounters are resolved. Play then passes to the next player clockwise. The end of a player’s turn is a good time to assess the board state, plan for future turns, and adapt to new developments.

Overall, each turn in ‘The Witcher: Old World’ is filled with strategic decisions and potential for dramatic shifts in the game’s balance. As players navigate these choices, they shape their own paths to victory or defeat.

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

The Witcher: Old World is a game that ends when a player reaches a certain point threshold or when all the monsters in the game have been defeated. There are several ways in which players can garner points and meet the victory conditions. Let’s look at them in detail.

Reaching the Point Threshold

The game ends immediately when a player reaches or exceeds the point threshold, which is set at the beginning of the game based on the number of players. Players gain points by defeating monsters and completing quests.

Elimination of All Monsters

The game also ends if all the monsters on the board have been defeated. In this case, the player with the highest points is declared the winner. If there is a tie, the player who has the most trophies (gained by defeating monsters) wins.

Final Scoring

Before final scoring, players must take the following actions:

Each player counts the total points they have accumulated from defeating monsters and completing quests.

Players should also add any bonus points received from Witcher school cards.

Next, players add points they have gained from their adventure cards. These points are added only at the end of the game.

If players have any other bonus points from other sources like special abilities or cards, they add them to their total score.

In the end, the player with the highest total score is declared the winner of The Witcher: Old World. Remember, the key to winning is not just about defeating monsters, but also managing your resources wisely, developing your character, and making strategic decisions.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In ‘The Witcher: Old World’, players gain points by completing various tasks throughout the game. Each task has a different point value associated with it. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Points are awarded as follows:

Monster Battles: Players earn points by battling and defeating monsters. Each monster has a specific point value, which is awarded to the player upon the monster’s defeat.
Quests: Players can earn points by completing quests. The point value of each quest is determined by its difficulty level.
Trophies: At the end of the game, players earn points for the trophies they’ve collected. The point value of each trophy is indicated on its card.
Training: Players earn points each time they upgrade their skills in the training section. The point values for training are determined by the specific skills being upgraded.
Exploration: Points are awarded for exploring new locations on the map. The point values for exploration are determined by the specific location being explored.

In case of a tie at the end of the game, the following tie-breaking rules are applied:

The player who has the most completed quests wins the tie.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most monster trophies wins.
If a tie persists, the player who has the most points from exploration wins.
If a tie still remains, the player who has the most points from training wins.
If all the above are equal, the player who started the game last wins the tie.

Thus, strategic planning and clever use of resources are key to accumulating the most points and winning in ‘The Witcher: Old World’.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The Witcher: Old World is a complex board game that involves numerous rules and exceptions that players may need to be aware of. Here are some of the more special or rare rules and clarifications:

The game is divided into weeks and days, with each day representing a player’s turn. Players can perform multiple actions during their turn, but they cannot perform the same action twice.

Training: When training, a player can only learn one Witcher skill per week. In addition, the player cannot learn a skill that they already know. Also, the player cannot learn a skill if they do not have the required number of training points.
Combat: During combat, a player can use any number of combat cards from their hand. However, after using a combat card, the player cannot use another one until their next turn. Also, a player can use Witcher signs only once per combat.
Monsters: A player can only fight a monster if they are in the same region as the monster. Also, when a monster is defeated, it is removed from the game, not returned to the monster deck.
Potions: A player can only use a potion during their turn. In addition, the player can only use one potion per day. Once a potion has been used, it is discarded.
Gold: Players cannot give or trade gold with other players. They can only gain gold through certain actions like completing contracts and selling trophies.

Finally, a common rule clarification concerns the game’s end. The game ends when either a player reaches a certain number of victory points or there are no more monster cards in the monster deck. In the case of a tie in victory points, the player with the most gold wins. If there is still a tie, the player who completed the most contracts wins.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Know your character: Each Witcher has unique skills and abilities. Understand your character’s strengths and weaknesses and use them to your advantage.
Plan your actions: The game is turn-based, so it’s essential to plan your actions ahead of time. Consider your options and think about the potential outcomes of each action.
Manage your resources: Gold, trophies, and potions are crucial resources. Make sure to manage them wisely, especially when preparing for battles.

Beginner Tips:

Learn the rules: The game has a lot of rules and mechanics. Spend some time learning them before you start playing.
Start with easy quests: If you’re new to the game, start with easy quests. They will help you understand the game mechanics and give you a feel for the game.
Don’t underestimate the value of potions: Potions can be a game-changer in battles. Don’t overlook their importance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring the side quests: It’s easy to get caught up in the main storyline and ignore the side quests. However, these quests can provide valuable resources and help you level up.
Not preparing for battles: Battles can be challenging. Make sure you’re well-prepared before you enter a battle.
Wasting resources: Resources are limited. Don’t waste them on unnecessary items or actions.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Use your Witcher Senses: Use your Witcher Senses to gain an advantage over your opponents. They can help you find clues, track monsters, and detect traps.
Cooperate with other players: The game is not just about competing against others, but also about cooperating with them. Work together to defeat monsters and complete quests.
Upgrade your gear: Upgrading your gear can significantly improve your performance in battles. Invest in better weapons and armor when you have enough resources.