How To Play: Devil’s Den

Overview

So you want to win at Devil’s Den, huh? Well, you’ve come to the right place (unless you came for pizza, then you’re out of luck). In this post, I’ll give you a quick outline of the game rules and share the best strategies for crushing your friends—without actually flipping the table in frustration. Spoiler: I learned some of these the hard way during game night. Read on for sweet, strategic victory.

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 29 Confederate Unit Counters
• 43 Union Unit Counters
• 1 Turn Track
• 1 Rulebook
• 4 Dice
• 6 Player Aids
• 13 Terrain Markers
• 2 Reference Sheets

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the game board in the center so everyone can reach it. Nobody likes elbow fights before the game even starts.
2. Each player picks a color and takes their matching pieces, tokens, and one tempting supply of snacks. The snacks are optional, but trust me, they help.
3. Shuffle the objective cards and deal two to each player. Don’t peek at your neighbor’s cards—unless that’s a house rule, of course.
4. Put all resource tokens in a pile within arm’s reach. Be careful: resource theft by pets is not a legal move.
5. Randomly choose a starting player. Whoever can do the best evil cackle goes first in our group.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, you collect resources based on your location. Luck and strategy, not just your charming personality, affect this.
2. Then, you may move your pieces up to two spaces or claim new areas if you have enough resources. Plotting and dramatic sighs are encouraged here.
3. If your piece bumps into someone else’s, start a skirmish! Both players roll dice—highest wins, loser retreats one space. No actual wrestling, please.
4. Next, play an action card if you want to shake up the game or mess with your friends (they love it, really!).
5. Finally, end your turn by checking if you’ve finished an objective. If yes, brag a little. Then, draw back up to your hand limit.

Winning

1. The first player to complete three objective cards shouts “Devil’s Den!” and wins—or just does a victory dance, your call.
2. If two people finish on the same turn, whoever has more claimed areas wins. If there’s still a tie, whoever has the best snack wins (house rule!).

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you run out of resources, you must skip your movement for that round while other players laugh. Don’t let it happen.
2. A ‘Sudden Storm’ card forces everyone to move back to their starting spot. Not fair, but hey, that’s the devil’s den for you.
3. You can only hold five cards at a time. If you draw too many, discard until you’re legal, no matter how much you love your cards.

That covers the basics. Now you know How To Play devil’s den. May your dice roll high, your snacks stay nearby, and your friends forgive you for stealing their victory (again).

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Seize Control: Mastering Key Map Areas in Devil’s Den

Spot The Hot Zones

When I first played Devil’s Den with my friends, I learned fast that certain map spots turn into battlegrounds. Identify these right away if you want any shot at victory.

1. Scout the map as soon as you set up.
2. Look for spots with bonus resources or choke points.

Plant Your Flag Early

Rush to these key areas before your rivals. You do not want to play catch up while they’re cashing in on prime real estate.

1. Send your best units to hold down the spot.
2. Use distractions to keep foes guessing your real target.

How To Play devil’s den: Hold Fast Under Fire

Once you own a zone, hang on tight! Reinforce your control and be ready for pushback. My last game, I almost lost a key bridge because I got too cocky.

1. Keep backup units nearby.
2. Rotate tired units out if you can.

Don’t Let Your Horses Starve: Mastering Resources in Devil’s Den

Keep Those Supplies Flowing

You can’t win if your troops starve. Always track your food and ammo levels. Check your supply lines every turn. If you forget, you risk losing units to hunger.

1. Monitor your resource counters each turn.
2. Plan movement so supply lines stay open.
3. Block enemy paths to starve them instead.

Trade Off Offense and Defense

Sometimes, you want to attack. Sometimes, hunker down and conserve resources. Balance both, or you’ll run out of steam fast.

1. Only attack when you have enough supplies.
2. Defend well to reduce costly losses.

React Fast To Change

If an enemy disrupts your line, act fast. Immediately reroute supplies or retreat. Don’t let your units get stranded—it’s a painful way to lose.

1. Scout for weak points in your supply routes.
2. Adapt and use alternate paths if blocked.

Now, next time you ask yourself How To Play devil’s den, remember these supply tricks, or get ready to lose your lunch (literally).

Mind Reading: Outsmarting Your Rivals in Devil’s Den

Watch Their Patterns

1. My friend Dave always goes for the high ground early. Notice if your opponent repeats certain actions or targets specific areas. This info lets you plan a sneaky counter.

Pretend You’re Them

1. Ask yourself, “If I were Sally, what would I do next?” Suddenly you see her next move coming from a mile away. This simple trick works wonders!

Set Traps and Bait

1. Act weak in one spot, then pounce when your opponent takes the bait. They’ll never see it coming, and you’ll cackle with delight.

Stay Unpredictable

1. Switch up your tactics often. If your opponent can’t guess what you’re up to, they can’t stop you. It keeps everyone on their toes, including yourself.

Ready to Rule the Den?

Alright, now you know the secrets to survive and win Devil’s Den. I won’t promise these tips will make you an instant champion–my cousin Greg still beat me twice in a row, and he once tried to eat a meeple. But hey, you’re way more prepared than I was that first game! Remember: pick your battles, watch your resources, and expect the unexpected. Good luck, and may your dice never betray you!

If you come up with even better strategies, let me know! Or at least send snacks.

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