How To Play: Devil’s Den
Devil's Den brings out sneaky moves, smart fort placement, and the fine art of resource hoarding. I’ve lost more friends over this game than at my last Monopoly night. If you want to win, learn How To Play devil's den, watch out for bluffs, and always question everyone’s motives.

If you’ve ever flipped a table because your “clever” plan in Devil’s Den got crushed in five minutes, you’re in the right spot. My friends and I spent way too many late nights figuring out How To Play devil’s den—sometimes with snacks, always with chaos. This guide gives you a quick outline of the rules and the best ways to win, so your game night bragging rights are safe.
Overview
What’s in the box
- 1 Game Board
- 4 Fort Tokens
- 60 Resource Cards
- 20 Bluff Tokens
- 40 Soldier Pieces
- 8 Leader Pawns
- 50 Supply Cubes
- 1 Rulebook
- 4 Player Reference Cards
How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary
Setup
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Give each player a fort board, twelve troop tokens, and three resource cards. No dibs on the blue fort, Pete!
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Shuffle and deal two bluff cards to every player. These stay secret—unless you love drama.
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Place the Devil’s Den marker smack in the center of the table. This spot is your new source of anxiety and joy.
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Decide who goes first. I suggest letting the last person to eat spicy food start things off.
Gameplay
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On your turn, pick one action: move troops, gather resources, or try to sneak into the Devil’s Den. Don’t try them all at once—trust me, I learned the hard way.
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If you try to enter the Den, reveal a bluff card. Succeed and skip around the room in joy; fail and your friends giggle at you.
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Draw one resource card at the end of your turn. If the deck runs out, shuffle the discard pile. Repeat: do not panic.
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Pass play clockwise. Clockwise, not counter-clockwise, no matter what Rick claims.
Winning
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The first player to hold the Devil’s Den for two full rounds wins. If you do, you earn bragging rights until next game night. Sorry, Mom.
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If two players storm the Den at once, they duel using resource cards. Highest card wins. Tie? Duel with a joke-off instead. Kidding! (Or not.)
Special Rules & Conditions
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Some bluff cards let you swap places with another troop. Use these for maximum chaos or revenge.
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Running out of resource cards? Lose your next turn while your troops “forage”. In reality, it’s a snack break.
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If someone shouts “Devil’s Deal!”, all players trade a resource card with the person on their left. Don’t hold onto your favorite. It hurts, I know.
There you go—those are the rules for How To Play devil’s den. Good luck, and may your bluffs be bold!
Best Devil’s Den Strategies
The Art of Fort Placement in Devil’s Den
When playing Devil’s Den, I always keep a sharp eye on fort placement. This can make or break your game. A badly placed fort is like leaving your front door open during a snowstorm—trouble finds you fast!
Control the High Ground
- Place forts on elevated spots for better visibility.
- Secure key pathways to limit enemy choices.
- Use obstacles to shield weaker sides.
Build Layers of Defense
- Always reinforce forts with extra troops first.
- Don’t bunch forts together, or one big attack can wreck you.
- Spread out to cover more ground and escape routes.
Adapt to Opponent Moves
- Watch opponents and adjust fort spots as needed.
- Abandon forts if they become a lost cause—don’t throw good troops after bad!
- Stay unpredictable so no one can read your next move.
Knowing How To Play devil’s den means thinking two steps ahead with every fort. Last week, I tried to guard the center but left my left flank wide open. My friends swarmed in and ate my lunch. I won’t make that mistake twice!
Reinforcements & Resources: Outfox Your Foes in Devil’s Den
Keep Your Supply Lines Open
If you run out of reinforcements, you’re toast. Prioritize paths that cannot be blocked easily. Hidden routes help more than you think!
- Send scouts ahead to sniff out trouble.
- Stash backup troops close, but not too close, to battle zones.
Smart Resource Hoarding
Instead of spending resources on every shiny upgrade, save for emergencies. Timing matters. When things get hairy, you’ll thank me.
- Plan for enemy surprises—some will try to starve you.
- Invest in multipurpose supplies first.
React Fast, Regroup Faster
Things will go sideways. When they do, move fast. Speedy reinforcement shifts can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
- Always have a Plan B (and sometimes C and D).
- If a plan flops, don’t waste time—switch it up and confuse your opponent.
If you want to master How To Play devil’s den, learning to balance troops and resources is a must. Trust me, your future self will be grateful.
How To Win Devil’s Den: Outsmarting Your Opponents’ Bluffs
Spotting the Subtle Signs
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Watch their eyes—they dart when hiding something.
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Notice if they fiddle with tokens more than usual.
Reacting in Real-Time
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Ask friendly questions; see if their story changes.
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Suddenly raise your stakes; weak bluffs will crumble fast.
Timing Your Counter-Bluff
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Wait for their confidence to peak, then challenge them.
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If they sweat or laugh too loud, it’s your moment to shine.
How To Play devil’s den isn’t just about the board; it’s about reading people. Trust your gut, but check their hands, too!
Last Stand: Become the Devil’s Den Legend
Alright, you made it to the end! If you took notes, you probably now scare your friends with your sneaky moves and clever fort-building in Devil’s Den. If not, well… fake confidence goes a long way! Just remember, keep your forts strong, your resources sneaky, and your poker face unbreakable. I once let my guard down and lost all my reinforcements in one boneheaded move—I still hear about it at game night! Learn from my shame. Next game, don’t just play—rule the Den! Want to really lock in the win? Search for more tips on How To Play devil’s den, and maybe your victory dance will finally get the applause it deserves.
Want to know what we think of Devil’s Den? Read our detailed review of Devil’s Den here