How To Play: Devil’s Den

Overview

If you ever wanted to outsmart your friends and claim victory at Devil’s Den, you’ve come to the right place! After a wild game night (and several heated debates over the rulebook), I’ve put together this handy guide. Here, you’ll find an outline of the actual game rules plus the best strategies for winning Devil’s Den. So buckle up—this is How To Play devil’s den, without flipping the table.

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 4 player screens
• 20 Union units
• 20 Confederate units
• 50 control markers
• 1 rulebook
• 4 player aids
• 2 dice
• 40 resource tokens
• 1 turn marker

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Pick your favorite color and grab your matching pieces. I always go for the blue. Lucky socks are optional.
2. Put the main game board in the center of your table. Make room for snacks!
3. Shuffle event cards. Place them in a stack next to the board.
4. Hand out starting resources to each player. No cheating. I see you, Dave.
5. Everyone places their starting token on the entry gate space of the board.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, roll the dice and move that many spaces. (Try not to throw the dice off the table. Again, Dave.)
2. If you land on a special space, read the instructions out loud. Dramatic voices encouraged.
3. Collect or lose resources based on where you land. Remember, don’t cry if you lose all your gold.
4. Draw an event card if you land on an event space. Some are good, some are hilarious, and some will make you question your friendships.
5. Keep repeating steps as the turns go around the table. Watch your opponents and try to block their moves!

Winning

1. The first player to collect five Devil Tokens and escape the den wins. Simple? Not really. Good luck!
2. If two players get to the exit at the same time, the one with most gold wins. Tie? Whoever did the best devil impression gets the win. House rules.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you run out of resources, you do a silly task picked by the group to get back in. Prepare to do chicken dances.
2. If you roll doubles, you get a bonus turn! But if you roll doubles twice in a row, you must sit out a turn and pretend to sulk.
3. No flipping the board. Ever. (Looking at you, Sarah.)

Now you know How To Play devil’s den. Just remember, the goal is to have fun, mess with your friends, and maybe become the ruler of the Devil’s Den!

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Mastering Map Control and Movement in Devil’s Den

Claim Key Territories Fast

Right from the start, rush toward important spots. Always mark your path and keep options open. If you wait, your enemies will pounce first.

1. Spread out early to limit enemy space.
2. Block valuable choke points quickly.
3. Stay unpredictable with your routes.

React to Opponent Moves

Notice what your friends are doing. If Bob heads north, maybe you swing south. You must adjust, or get boxed in every time.

1. Watch for sudden enemy pushes.
2. Reposition to defend weak spots.

Keep Movement Flexible

Do not commit all forces too soon. You will need backup to respond to surprises. Always leave a way out!

1. Use units with better range for scouting.
2. Retreat if it means better position next turn.

The Secret Sauce: Resource Management in Devil’s Den

Spend Wisely (Don’t Be a Hoarder)

It’s tempting to gather all the resources, but you need to spend to win. Don’t sit on your stash like a greedy dragon. Instead, keep these tips in mind:

1. Use resources early for strategic advantages.
2. Balance upgrades and units for steady growth.
3. Never let resources pile up unused.

Scarcity Calls for Smarts

When resources get tight, make tough choices. Always ask: what helps me more right now? Then act on it with no regrets.

1. Prioritize essentials—ignore flashy temptations.
2. Keep backup plans for surprise shortages.

How To Play devil’s den With Resource Finesse

Finally, all your resource moves should stress your rivals. Force them to waste or overpay. Watch their eyes widen as you snatch what they need! Mastering resources is how to play devil’s den like a pro.

Outsmarting Your Rivals: Clever Counters in Devil’s Den

Watch for Patterns

1. Pay close attention to repeated moves.
2. Predict their next step based on what they did before.

Block Their Progress

1. Snatch key locations before your opponent can grab them.
2. Use your pieces to block their best routes.

Change Tactics Quickly

1. Suddenly switch your approach if your plan stalls.
2. Force your opponent to play your game, not their own.

During our last game, I surprised my buddy Jack by switching my plan mid-round. This tossed his whole strategy out the window and helped me learn How To Play devil’s den with a trickster’s flair. Keep them guessing, and you’ll love the results!

Master the Den, Rule the Table!

Well, there you have it, folks—my best tips after getting thrashed, laughed at, and (sometimes) winning at Devil’s Den with my friends. Whether you’re hoarding resources like a raccoon or sneaking across the map like a ninja, remember to keep things light and fun. No game goes the same way twice, and that’s what makes it a blast. Now that you know How To Play devil’s den like a pro, there’s only one thing left—gather your buddies and claim that Den for yourself. Just watch out for sneaky backstabbers (looking at you, Dave).

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