How To Play: Devil’s Den

Overview

If you ever wondered how to outfox your friends at Devil’s Den, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent many hilarious evenings getting trounced, then winning, then being called a cheater (thanks, Dave). This guide has a quick outline of the game rules and, most importantly, the best strategies for grabbing that sweet victory. If you want to know How To Play devil’s den like a champ, read on!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 4 Player screens
• 36 Union infantry pieces
• 28 Confederate infantry pieces
• 12 Artillery markers
• 8 Cavalry pieces
• 20 Supply tokens
• 16 Objective markers
• 1 Rulebook
• 4 Turn summary cards
• 2 Dice

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Unfold the board on a flat table. Do not spill your drink on it. Trust me, it gets sticky!

2. Each player selects a side (Union or Confederate). Grab your army pieces in your color.

3. Place your units on starting spaces, as marked on the board. Yes, you might need to squint.

4. Place supply markers and any special tokens in their proper spots. Keep snacks far away to avoid confusion.

Gameplay

1. Decide who goes first with a coin flip or by seeing who last charged a hill. That counts as exercise.

2. On your turn, you may move units, attack, or play special cards. Each unit gets a set number of moves.

3. Combat happens when you end a move next to an enemy. Roll the dice to see who wins, but don’t blame me if luck hates you.

4. After you act, your opponent takes their turn. Alternate until someone wins or the cat jumps on the board.

Winning

1. You win if you wipe out all your opponent’s units. Don’t gloat too much—they might stop inviting you.

2. Alternatively, capture and hold key areas by the end of the last round. This is harder than remembering your cousin’s birthday.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Keep your supply lines open or your troops can’t attack. If your units get cut off, they’ll sulk in place.

2. Some terrain gives extra defense. Hide your army on the high ground, but beware: it makes you an obvious target.

3. Event cards change the rules every so often. If you draw “Thunderstorm,” expect chaos. My friend Steve once flipped the board!

And there you go—a quick rules guide on How To Play devil’s den! It should help you start your first battle, or at least survive the setup phase without flipping the table.

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Mastering Movement: Outsmart Your Opponent

Understand the Terrain

Always check the map before you start moving. Rough ground can slow you down, but forests help you hide. If you want the edge, keep these in mind:

1. Plan your routes to avoid getting stuck.
2. Use cover to protect your units.

Anticipate Enemy Moves

If you watch your opponent’s habits, you can stay one step ahead. Try this:

1. Block their path with your reinforcements.
2. Force them into weak spots.

Flexible Deployment

Don’t clump your units! Spread them out. This lets you react fast if the battle swings. When learning How To Play devil’s den, good movement means you’re always in control.

Keep Your Troops Fed: Supply Line Mastery in Devil’s Den

Why Supply Lines Matter

If you want to win big in Devil’s Den, supply lines are your secret sauce. One time, my friend Dan thought he could ignore supply routes. Soon, his hungry troops collapsed like wet noodles, so don’t be Dan.

How To Play devil’s den with Solid Supply Lines

First, always protect your food and ammo routes. If you lose them, your units can’t move or fight well. Next, plan ahead. If you only react, your opponents will cut you off.

1. Keep supply hubs safe by blocking enemy shortcuts.
2. Spread supplies but never overextend, or you’ll regret it fast.
3. If possible, sabotage enemy supplies before attacking their troops.

Supply Line Surprises

Unexpected things happen—sometimes your cleverest move gets ruined by a sneaky cut. Stay calm, reroute fast, and you’ll stay ahead in Devil’s Den.

Strike Fast or Wait? Mastering Attack Timing in Devil’s Den

Spotting Weakness

First, keep your eyes open for moments when your opponent spreads too thin. That’s when I love to strike! Here’s what works for me:

1. Watch their unit placements.
2. Wait until their supply lines look shaky.
3. Jump in before they regroup.

Choosing the Right Moment

Secondly, attack when you see them restocking or shifting focus. Quick thinking wins games. I once turned the tide by hitting hard while my buddy re-supplied.

1. Note when they’re distracted.
2. Time your move for max impact.

Coordinating Multiple Attacks

Finally, don’t forget to spread attacks out. Often, I attack from two sides at once. This splits their defense and often leads to chaos.

1. Plan attacks in advance.
2. Strike from more than one direction.
3. Keep them guessing!

If you master when to attack, you’ll see great results. For more tips, just check out How To Play devil’s den.

Keep Your Friends Close (and Your Supply Lines Closer)

So, that’s my hot take on How To Play devil’s den like someone who hasn’t just read the rulebook in the car. Master your unit placement, don’t let your supply lines flop, and pounce when the enemy least expects it. Remember, luck might give you a nudge but planning wins the game. Oh, and if you make a dramatic speech every time you attack, it definitely helps your odds. At least, that’s what my friends say when they roll their eyes. Now go out and claim Devil’s Den (and maybe a slice of pizza while you’re at it)!

Want to know what we think of Devil’s Den? Read our detailed review of Devil’s Den here