How To Play: Devil’s Den

Overview

If you’ve ever wondered why your friends always crush you at Devil’s Den, you’re in the right place. I’ve lost, learned, and finally started winning, so let’s fix your losing streak! In this guide, I’ll break down the rules (because, yes, I had to look them up twice) and share the best tips I picked up on how to play devil’s den—and maybe even win.

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 1 rulebook
• 84 Union soldier counters
• 54 Confederate soldier counters
• 10 leader markers
• 12 artillery markers
• 50 strength point markers
• 2 dice
• 1 turn track marker
• 1 battle results chart
• 1 terrain effects chart

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Lay out the game board flat, making sure the creek lines up with the table’s least wobbly side. Trust me, you do not want a flood halfway through.

2. Each player picks a side: Union or Confederate. I once spent five minutes arguing over which blue was bluer. Don’t be me.

3. Shuffle the event cards and place them in reach. Prepare unit tokens by sorting them near their sides of the board.

4. Place starting units and leaders at their designated map locations as shown in the rulebook. If you place them upside down, you’re playing on hard mode.

Gameplay

1. Each turn, players take turns performing actions, such as moving units, attacking, or drawing cards. Always say your orders with drama—it adds to the fun.

2. On your turn, activate a set number of units based on your command points. Don’t try to activate more. I tried once. The game police (my friend Greg) noticed.

3. Resolve any attacks using dice and check the results. Remove defeated units from the board—no dramatic last words needed.

4. Draw and resolve any event cards, because fate has a funny way of changing your plans (and mine, every time I play).

Winning

1. Victory points are earned for controlling key locations on the map. The more spots you control, the closer you are to sweet victory.

2. The game ends after a set number of turns, or if one player meets the instant victory conditions listed in the rules.

3. Count up your victory points. The player (or team) with the most wins. Winners may gloat for one minute, tops.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Some terrain offers defensive bonuses. Hide behind rocks! Unless you’re my friend Dave, who thinks trees are lucky charms. They are not.

2. Certain event cards can flip the game around—read these carefully and prepare for surprises.

3. Units may be rallied if morale is lost, so don’t give up hope! Unless it’s three turns from the end and you’re surrounded—that’s when snacks come in handy.

So, that’s How To Play devil’s den in a nutshell. Follow these steps, and you’ll quickly pick up the basics, leaving you more time to argue with friends about strategy or the best snack for victory celebrations.

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Seize the Day: Winning by Controlling Key Locations in Devil’s Den

Spot the Hotspots First

You want to find the map’s power points before your opponent does. These spots can change the whole game. Keep an eye on them every turn so you never slip up.

1. Send scouts to check all important crossroads.
2. Hold at least two key bridges for as long as you can.
3. Block enemy reinforcements by parking your best units at the entrance points.

Rotate Your Troops

After grabbing a spot, don’t just sit there! Move your units around to keep your opponent guessing. Many times I’ve seen a bold switch confuse my friends and save my bacon.

1. Swap tired units with fresh ones every few turns.
2. Surprise your opponent with a flanking move after securing a location.

Keep Pressure On

Never relax your grip on these locations. If you slack off, your opponents will jump right in. During my last round, I lost a vital hill because I blinked. Don’t be like me.

1. Attack weak spots when you see your opponent overextended.
2. Support your strongholds with artillery if you can swing it.

With these tips, you’ll know How To Play devil’s den like you own the place.

Master Your Movements: Managing Limited Unit Resources in Devil’s Den

Count Every Soldier

First, you need to treat every unit like it’s your last snack at a boring party. Losing pieces too fast will leave you exposed and wishing for a redo. Always ask yourself, “Is this move worth the risk?”

Rotate Fresh Units

Next, keep your tired units in the back and rotate fresh troops to the front. Tired units make mistakes, just like me after midnight snacks. Here’s how to stay sharp:

1. Cycle exhausted groups to safer zones.
2. Reinforce spots with new arrivals.
3. Patch up holes before they become gateways for your opponent.

Save Big Plays

Finally, save your surprise attacks for key moments. Don’t blow your resources early. Instead, wait for your opponent to overreach, then pounce. That’s how I shocked my friends when I played—let them get comfy, then hit hard.

Mastering How To Play devil’s den isn’t just about charging ahead; it’s about keeping cool and moving smart. Resources are precious—waste nothing if you want that win!

Unleashing the Beast: Timing Aggressive Counterattacks in Devil’s Den

Know Your Opponent’s Weakness

1. Watch for over-extended units. When my buddy Tom rushed ahead, I pounced and took his supply line. Easy win!
2. Wait for him to split forces. This happens more than you’d think.

Strike at the Right Moment

1. Attack after your opponent has finished moving. They can’t react!
2. Use high-mobility troops to exploit open spaces.

Recover Quickly

1. After a counterattack, set up defenses. We all know the regret of forgetting this step.

Knowing How To Play devil’s den means waiting for just the right moment, then throwing everything at your rival—just don’t forget to protect yourself after!

Conquer the Den, One Move at a Time!

If you made it this far, give yourself a tiny salute—unless you already lost your hat in the skirmish. Devil’s Den makes you think on your feet, and sometimes run in circles. With smart moves and a bit of luck, you’ll rule the map before your friends can say, “How To Play devil’s den!” So gather your army, laugh at your defeats, and never trust your dog to guard the flank. Good luck, commander!

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