Nope. Although the game was designed with all three battles intended.

Each battle feels very different from the previous one, due to resource losses and the changing battlefield. We truly believe that playing battle 1 and battle 2 wisely (and forfeiting early!) can really set you up for a quick and decisive win in game 3 to win the war.

BUT… we will admit that sometimes if we only have an hour to burn we’ll have a 1-battle game, so feel free to take a short-cut every now and then!

We heavily recommend that if you want a quick 1-battle game, you implement the “Victory Point” alternate victory condition (found in the last section of the rulebook).

The summoning cards are for the full (advanced) game that we hope everyone plays after their first “training'“ game.

Summon cards both form the summoning spire that creates them AND are powerful forces on the battlefield. It is rare that a player can produce one in the first battle, but by battle 2 there are literal monsters on the field!

We certainly hope not!

But seriously, feel free to modify the game in way that appears both fun and fair to all involved. Just remember that the current rules have been playtested throroughly to provide a fair and evenly paced game throughout all 3 battles. If you want to make a change, we suggest making only one small one at a time and see how it goes.

If it REALLY works out for you, let us know! We don’t mind adding additional variant rules into the main game!

If you are asking about using a game mat, we do supply a flexible mat that may be easier to transport, but we tend to prefer the board for stability.

If you are asking about not using a board OR mat, this is actually how the game was originally played! It’s a bit tricky at first but the “information card” used to be the “spacing card”. Using that to initially space out wall cards from each other, and then to place landmark cards starts to make the ‘imaginary hex board’ pretty obvious. Both players just need to be vigilant about moving cards in “close to where that hex should be” manner.

Once you get used to it, it’s really quite obvious.

BUT this is why we created the mat and board. If you have the luxury of bring one of those with you, there’s no need for all the extra detail.

Very little, actually. ;-)

Advanced rules were originally part of the standard game, but our play-testers suggested that we move some of our more detailed rules to an “advanced” game for slightly more experienced players.

Variant rules are just fun little additions that have been suggested to ‘mix things up’. Try a few and see if you prefer some!

Our play-testers were not wrong.

We do very much suggest adopting the advanced rules as soon as you are comfortable, however, even if it’s only one additional rule per playthrough.

The Summon cards are one of the best parts of the game, and hand combinations from your Barracks really add a dynamic component to the battlefield.

The standard game is designed for 2 players primarily because of practicality! The playing area for 3-6 is large enough it requires two boards, but the standard board was designed to incorporate this.

Just rotate one board so the “arrow” lines up with the “arrow” of the other board. You’ll see subtle markings along hex corners that mark out the hexagonal battlefield border.

“W” hexes mark out the 6 possible starting positions for wall cards.

3 player: Separate out player walls as far as possible (the corners of an equilateral triangle. Battle1: cycle though player 1 (as in the 2-player game). Battle 2: winner of battle 1 is player 1. Higher victory points determine Player 2. Battle 3: the same.

4-player: 2 teams of 2 allies. Allies chose adjacent wall sections, and opponents set across the hexagonal battle space from them. A team gets Player 1 and 3. (player choice). The other team gets Player 2 and Player 4.

6-player. GRAND MELEE FREE FOR ALL. Each player is on their own and chooses one of the wall space areas. Player 1 determined similar to the 3 player game.