Do you have a moment? let’s talk about board games 🎲🎲

It may seem strange that in a blog where we mainly talk about role-playing games, today we change the topic to board games. Let’s be honest, we have already gone through several stages, from falling in love with the game, to the unhealthy obsession of playing non-stop, to the forced pause to restart the cycle again.

It is at the end of this cycle or perhaps in some unplanned situation where the opportunity to play a board game may present itself, and many nowadays stick very much to the fantasy theme, not to mention that there are also campaign sets made into board games. Note here, even using fantasy board games can be an approach to those people you would like to invite to play our favorite role-playing game with you, but who have let you know they know nothing about the game.

I think it is slightly easier to go from something limited and structured like a board game to the open world and infinite options of RPGs, in a way it is an evolution, I am not trying to compare or say that board games are better than RPGs or the other way around. They have their differences and that is why there is an audience for all, besides they are mutually inclusive.

• Betrayal at House on the Hill

  Description from the press release:

  Betrayal at House on the Hill quickly builds suspense and excitement as players explore a haunted mansion of their design, encountering spirits and frightening omens that foretell their fate. With an estimated one-hour playing time, Betrayal at House on the Hill is ideal for parties, family gatherings, or casual fun with friends.

  Betrayal at House on the Hill is a tile game that allows players to build their haunted house room by room, tile by tile, creating a new thrilling game board every time. The game is designed for three to six people, each of whom plays one of six possible characters.

Why is this game more horror than fantasy? Well, the answer is because of the gameplay experience, and that it is unconventional in that instead of trying to play the game by yourself, you are forced to cooperate with the knowledge that someone may betray you or try to. For me, this game is great for bringing out people’s acting skills, and bringing what they have learned to the role-playing tables, plus a bit of cosmic horror is always welcome, isn’t it?

• Lords of Waterdeep

Description from the publisher: 

Waterdeep, the City of Splendors – the most resplendent jewel in the Forgotten Realms, and a den of political intrigue and shady back-alley dealings. In this game, the players are powerful lords vying for control of this great city. Its treasures and resources are ripe for the taking, and that which cannot be gained through trickery and negotiation must be taken by force!

In Lords of Waterdeep, a strategy board game for 2-5 players, you take on the role of one of the masked Lords of Waterdeep, secret rulers of the city. Through your agents, you recruit adventurers to go on quests on your behalf, earning rewards and increasing your influence over the city. Expand the city by purchasing new buildings that open up new actions on the board, and hinder – or help – the other lords by playing Intrigue cards to enact your carefully laid plans.

Wait a minute, this looks familiar, of course, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, this game is made by Wizards of the Coast and also takes a lot from Dungeons and Dragons such as the classes that can be played within the game. Remember we talked about a way to introduce strangers to the world of role-playing games in a friendly way? this is the perfect trojan horse, plus it also helps you for those times when you just want to do something different that doesn’t take you away from your comfort zone.

While there are heroes and adventures, in this game you represent a guild in the city of splendors that obeys the agenda secretly set by a Lord of Waterdeep, in a dizzying eurogame where the idea is to be more productive and generate the most points by constructing buildings and sending adventurers on missions that give victory points as coaching.

The list can be very varied, but before starting I would like to know what games you use to get away from the role-playing tables for a while and what games you use to introduce someone to the world of TTRPGs.

Until next time fellow adventurers.

Billy