How To Play: Devil’s Den

Overview

If you’ve ever sat down to play Devil’s Den and thought, “Wait, which way is north?”, you’re not alone. My friends and I got lost (and not in a good way) on our first try! In this post, I’ve put together an outline of the game rules—yes, the bits we kept forgetting—and the best strategies for winning. Let me save you from our rookie mistakes!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 60 Infantry Tokens
• 20 Artillery Tokens
• 10 Cavalry Tokens
• 30 Order Cards
• 20 Event Cards
• 4 Player Reference Sheets
• 16 Dice
• 80 Resource Markers
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle the map tiles and lay them out to form the battlefield. Don’t peek at the hidden ones! I learned this the hard way—my friends booed me for spoiling the surprise.
2. Each player chooses a side (Union or Confederate) and grabs the matching unit tokens and Command cards.
3. Deal five Supply tokens to each player. Place the Reinforcement cards near the board.
4. Put the Victory Point tracker next to the map. Everyone cheers. Or groans, if you’re playing with my buddy Carl.

Gameplay

1. The Union player goes first. Place units on your designated edge of the map. Next, Confederates do the same. Taunting is optional, but recommended.
2. Players alternate turns. On your turn, you may move units, play Command cards, or battle enemy units.
3. After moving, draw a new Command card if you used one. If you lose a battle, lose a Supply token. Trust me, running out is bad news.
4. Keep an eye on enemy moves. When you think you’re safe, you’re not—ask my poor cavalry.

Winning

1. Score Victory Points by holding key map tiles at the end of each round.
2. The first player to collect 10 Victory Points wins the game—unless someone flips the table. (We don’t count those wins anymore.)

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Reinforcements: Once per game, each player may call in reinforcements using a special card.
2. Ambushes: Play an Ambush card to attack out of turn. (Warning: Your friends will call you sneaky. Wear it like a badge.)
3. If players tie for Victory Points, continue rounds until someone pulls ahead.
4. Never let Carl shuffle. He stacks the deck. Allegedly.

Now you know How To Play devil’s den. May the best general win, and may your friends forgive your inevitable victories!

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Claim the Battlefield: Smart Unit Placement in Devil’s Den

I played Devil’s Den with my pals last weekend, and learned one thing—every inch of that board matters. Proper unit placement helped me survive longer than anyone with a loose grip on the rules (looking at you, Gary). Mastering battlefield control is a must if you want to rule the game.

Start Strong: Hold Key Positions

1. Deploy troops to choke points before your foes do.
2. Always use cover to shield fragile units. Otherwise, they’re just sitting ducks.
3. Guard your flanks, because sneaky moves happen all the time.

React Wisely: Adjust as the Game Unfolds

1. If your opponent shifts forces, don’t panic—block off their advance with quick repositioning.
2. Keep an eye on the objective, not just enemy units.

Layer Your Defense

1. Never leave gaps in your line. I learned this the hard way after Sam waltzed right into my backyard.

For those asking How to Play devil’s den, remember: if you control the battlefield, victory’s in your sights—unless you miss your own dice rolls. Then, well, blame the dice.

Mastering Your Supplies: Win Devil’s Den With Smart Resources

Keep Track of Every Supply

First, in Devil’s Den, supplies vanish fast. Count every food and ammo token like they’re your last cookie and you don’t want your brother to steal it.

1. Always check supplies after each enemy round.
2. Share resources smartly between your units.
3. Don’t blow it all at once—save for emergencies.

Call For Reinforcements Wisely

Because the enemy never takes a nap, you must time your reinforcements right. I once called for backup too early and crashed harder than my grandma on a hoverboard.

1. Wait until your key positions are threatened.
2. Pick units that balance defense and attack.
3. Keep a unit in reserve for sudden enemy surprises.

How To Play devil’s den: Trade and Conserve

During every game, remember these tips for how to play devil’s den: trade excess resources, never hoard what you can’t use, and always keep your eyes on the prize—stopping the enemy in their tracks!

Mastering Foe Forecast: Outsmarting Your Opponent in Devil’s Den

Reading the Board like Sherlock (Minus the Hat)

1. Watch for repeating moves—your pals love patterns more than they admit.
2. Check which routes have the most enemy traffic, then block them. Simple, but sneaky!

Predict the Next Move

1. See what your opponent just grabbed or ignored. That’s a clue to their next stop.
2. Notice if they cluster units in one spot. Usually, that means a push is coming there.

How To Play devil’s den: Keeping Foes Guessing

1. Change your own routine now and then to throw them off your scent.
2. Sometimes, pretend to overreact—your enemy will try to dodge, and you’ll catch them.

Anticipation wins games in Devil’s Den. I learned this the hard way when I got flanked by Tim twice. Now, I always watch movement like a hawk.

Last Words Before You Charge Into Devil’s Den

If you’ve made it this far, congrats—you’re already smarter than I was my first game (ask my supply truck, which I accidentally parked right in the enemy’s firing range). Remember, good unit placement, clever resource use, and watching your opponent’s sneaky moves are key to coming out on top. Try not to argue too much with your friends over the rules. If you forget something, just make it sound like a tactic. And hey, next time someone asks, confidently share your know-how on How To Play devil’s den! Enjoy the chaos!

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