If you’re looking for an immersive and dramatic way to spend your leisure time, the Shadow Hunters board game is definitely a great choice. Join us as we explore this fascinating game and its detailed gameplay!
1 Introduction to Shadow Hunters Board Game
Shadow Hunters features characters from the shadows, hunters, and neutrals, all struggling to survive. In this board game’s world, the shadows play the residents of a ghost city, posing a danger to everyone. Hence, the hunters exist with a mission to destroy the villainous shadows and bring peace to the world. The neutrals are civilians caught in the crossfire.
Each player assumes the role of a character from these three groups, and their identities are kept secret. Your task is to uncover allies and enemies, collecting the necessary conditions of your character to achieve victory.
For reference: Basic Rules Guide
Introduction to Shadow Hunters Board Game
For further reference: Detailed and Comprehensive Guide
2 Learn the Rules of Shadow Hunters Board Game in 5 Minutes
Components of Shadow Hunters
- 6 region cards
- 20 character cards: including 10 basic and 10 advanced character cards
- 16 Hermit cards
- 16 color cards: including black and white cards
- 8 player cards
- 16 wooden pieces
- 2 dice: 1 six-sided and 1 four-sided
Components of Shadow Hunters
For reference: Guide for 2 Players
Initial Game Setup
Place the game board within comfortable reach of all players. Then, randomly place the 6 region cards in pairs on the board, ensuring each pair is within attack range of each other.
Each player chooses a color to represent them and takes the corresponding 2 wooden pieces. Place one of these on the “No Damage” section of the “Hit Points” tree, indicating maximum health. The other piece is placed in the center of the game board and used for movement on the region cards.
Keep the black, white, and Hermit cards separate and shuffle them. Place them face down on the corresponding marked spots on the board.
Sort the character cards into Shadow, Hunter, and Neutral groups. Based on the number of players, draw the appropriate number of cards from each group. Shuffle all the selected cards and deal one to each player. The players’ task is to secretly identify their character without revealing it to others. Any remaining character cards should be set aside, ensuring players don’t know which characters are not in play.
Depending on the number of players, you can arrange the character cards as follows:
- 4 players: 2 shadows, 2 hunters
- 5 players: 2 shadows, 2 hunters, 1 neutral
- 6 players: 2 shadows, 2 hunters, 2 neutrals
- 7 players: 2 shadows, 2 hunters, 3 neutrals
- 8 players: 3 shadows, 3 hunters, 2 neutrals
Each character card contains information such as the character’s name, Hit Points (maximum health), group (Shadow, Hunter, or Neutral), special abilities, and victory conditions.
Initial Game Setup
How to Play Shadow Hunters Board Game
When it’s your turn, you will perform the following actions, repeating them until the game ends:
Move your character (mandatory)
Roll both dice simultaneously and move your wooden piece to the region card with the corresponding sum. If you roll a total of 7, you can move to any region of your choice. However, you cannot occupy the same region card as another player.
Players must move during their turn.
Follow the instructions on the region cards (optional)
After moving, you may follow the instructions on the region card you’re currently occupying:
- Hermit’s Cabin: Draw the top card from the green stack and secretly read it. Then, give it to another player of your choice. The chosen player must follow the card’s instructions.
- Church: Draw a white card and follow its instructions, but you have the option to discard it without using it.
- Cemetery: Draw a black card and follow its instructions, but you can choose not to use it.
- Underworld Gate: Take the top card from one of the three stacks (Hermit, white, or black) and use it.
- Weird Woods: Choose one of the following actions: heal 1 point of damage to any player (including yourself) or deal 2 damage to any player (including yourself).
- Erstwhile Altar: You have the option to steal equipment from another player.
Attack another player (optional)
At the end of your turn, you may attack another player of your choice within your attack range.
If you choose to attack, roll both dice simultaneously. The amount of damage inflicted on your opponent is the difference between the two dice (larger number minus smaller number). If both dice show the same number, your attack is unsuccessful, and no damage is dealt.
Character Death
When attacked by another player, move your wooden piece on the “Hit Points” tree to reflect the damage taken. Your character dies when their health reaches or exceeds their maximum health, resulting in defeat.
End of the Game
The game ends when a player fulfills all the victory conditions of their character. All players who satisfy the victory conditions at the end of the game are considered winners.
Shadow Hunters does not distinguish between winners based on their alignment as shadows or hunters.
How to Play Shadow Hunters Board Game
Notes and Tips for Playing Shadow Hunters
Notes
Since no one knows the identities of other players’ characters, pay close attention to avoid attacking your teammates. Use your judgment to guess the characters of others, as this is an intriguing aspect of Shadow Hunters that keeps you thinking.
If you attack multiple players simultaneously due to a specific card effect, roll the dice once and apply the result to all targets.
Tips
Team Play: Given the nature of Shadow Hunters, multiple players from the same team can win in a single game. If your character is about to die, do your best to support your teammates!
Each character has unique special abilities, and your group can choose to ignore these abilities to simplify the game, especially for newcomers.
Notes and Tips for Playing Shadow Hunters
There you have it! This is the basic guide to playing the Shadow Hunters board game. Shadow Hunters constantly challenges players with its intrigue and suspense. We hope you can enjoy this thrilling game with your friends!
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