How To Play: Devil’s Den

Devil's Den mixes sneaky moves, grabbing forts, and smart resource use. Watch what rivals do and plan ahead to win. We learned all this while bickering and bluffing during our game night! Follow our strategies and you'll master How To Play devil's den in no time.

Devil's Den: Box Cover Front

Overview

If you’re like me, you’ve probably lost a few too many times at Devil’s Den and want revenge. Good news—this guide covers an outline of the game rules, plus the best strategies for winning. I’ve tried everything (even bribing my friends with chips, which didn’t help). So buckle up! Here’s how to master the basics and outplay your rivals at Devil’s Den.

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 4 Player Reference Cards
  • 24 Fort Tokens
  • 40 Resource Cards
  • 16 Leader Pawns
  • 50 Unit Tokens
  • 1 Rulebook
  • 6 Dice
  • 12 Event Cards

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup
  1. Place the game board in the middle of the table. Make sure everyone has snacks—this game can last!
  2. Each player chooses a color and takes the matching pieces and fort tokens.
  3. Shuffle the resource cards and deal four to each player.
  4. Place enemy tokens in the marked zones on the board—trust me, don’t skip this or you’ll regret it later.
  5. Pick a starting player. We always pick whoever last yelled, “Devil’s Den!” Bonus points for bad puns.
Gameplay
  1. On your turn, draw a resource card, then move one piece up to two spaces.
  2. If you enter a fort, place your fort token and claim it—unless an enemy already sits there. Then, get ready for a showdown!
  3. Spend resource cards to reinforce forts or remove enemy tokens (if you’re lucky).
  4. After your move, resolve any battles. Everyone rolls dice and hopes for the best—sometimes I just close my eyes and pray.
  5. Pass play to the next person. If they look nervous, you’re probably winning.
Winning
  1. The first player to control three forts at the same time wins.
  2. If the resource deck runs out, whoever holds the most forts grabs victory. Yes, even if they’re all barely hanging on.
Special Rules & Conditions
  1. If you draw the “Double Trouble” card, you must battle the nearest enemy on the board, no running allowed.
  2. Players can form temporary alliances, but only during even-numbered turns. Trust issues? Welcome to Devil’s Den!
  3. If all your pieces get sent back to start, you skip your next turn. (I’ve been there, it hurts.)

That’s the basics for How To Play Devil’s Den. After a few rounds, you’ll learn how much your friends love to betray you. Enjoy!

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Mastering Positioning and Fort Control in Devil’s Den

Seize the High Ground First

Speed matters! I always grab the highest fort early because it gives a clear view. Opponents often ignore this, so you sneak in lots of points.

  1. Move quickly to the strongest fort.
  2. Block key paths to slow down rivals.
Hold, but Keep Flexible

Staying put can be tempting, but switching forts beats stubbornness. I change spots when a rival stacks too much firepower nearby.

  1. Monitor your neighbor’s moves.
  2. Retreat if two opponents focus on your fort.
Distract to Divide

Lastly, I love making sneaky plays so people squabble elsewhere. Tossing fake threats works wonders!

  1. Hint you’ll attack a different fort.
  2. Switch targets if a player gets distracted.

These are the tricks I learned after several How To Play devil’s den nights. Position well, control forts, and victory awaits!

Mastering Your Stash: Resource Management in Devil’s Den

Spend Wisely

Don’t throw all your resources at the first shiny thing you see. Instead, plan for later rounds. Ask yourself, “Will I need this later?”

  1. Always set aside enough to react to sneaky moves.
  2. Never put all your eggs in one basket. Trust me, I tried. It was messy.
Timing is Everything

Release your resources at the right moment. When you hold back, you make your friends sweat.

  1. Save up for a surprise push.
  2. Wait until opponents are weak before going all in.
Track Your Rivals

Watch what your friends are hoarding. If they get low, pounce!

  1. Keep mental notes on who spent what.
  2. Exploit their shortages when it counts.

That’s how to play Devil’s Den smart and keep everyone guessing.

Outsmarting Rivals: Mastering Opponent Movement Prediction in Devil’s Den

Watch Their Patterns

  1. First, pay attention to where your friends keep moving each round. Most people fall into routines.

  2. Second, mark key spaces they favor. You’ll spot their habits faster each turn.

Use Decoys to Trick

  1. Set up fake threats. If you act interested in one spot, you can send folks chasing ghosts.

  2. Move unpredictably, so you stay one step ahead.

React Quickly

  1. As soon as you notice a pattern, switch up your own plan. Keep the board spicy.

Conquering Devil’s Den: Your Path to Victory

So, that’s how you beat your friends (and maybe your enemies) at Devil’s Den. Remember, clever positioning and smart resource moves can tip the game in your favor. When I played, I learned that laughing helps, but keeping one eye on your opponent helps more. Don’t forget to keep guessing their next move—unless your opponent is my cousin Joe, who honestly has no idea what he’s doing anyway. Use these tips, practice your poker face, and you’ll turn the tables before they even say, “How To Play devil’s den?”

Good luck, general. Go get that fort!

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

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.