How To Play: Devil’s Den

Devil's Den is all about snagging map control, managing resources, and countering sneaky enemy moves. Set up the board, keep your pals guessing, and always adapt. My friends wiped the floor with me the first round, but with these How To Play devil's den tips, you'll crush them next time!

Devil's Den: Box Cover Front

Overview

If you’ve ever wanted to crush your friends and claim bragging rights, you need this How To Play devil’s den guide. I played this game with my pals (and lost more than I care to admit). Here, I’ll walk you through the rules, and dish out the best tricks I learned for stomping your opponents. Spoiler: It’s not about throwing the board in frustration.

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 4 Player Reference Cards
  • 60 Resource Tokens
  • 20 Objective Cards
  • 5 Dice
  • 80 Unit Meeples (20 per color)
  • 1 Rulebook
  • 8 Territory Control Markers
  • 16 Fortification Pieces
  • 1 Initiative Marker

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup

  1. Lay out the game board in the center of the table. Make sure the map is facing the correct way—one time we played upside-down and thought the hill was a river. Oops.

  2. Give each player a set of colored pieces (troops, tokens, or sheep—hey, I’m not judging your version). Each player should also take a player guide card.

  3. Shuffle the event deck and place it face-down nearby. Place all resource tokens in easy reach. Trust me, you’ll want quick access when things get messy.

  4. Choose a random player to go first. We usually make the person who last lost at Devil’s Den start. It keeps things spicy.

Gameplay

  1. On your turn, draw an event card and resolve it. Sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’ll have you crying before breakfast.

  2. Next, move your pieces up to the allowed spaces. You can split movement between your troops, but remember: spread too thin, and you’ll get eaten faster than leftover pizza.

  3. Fight any enemy troops you land next to using the simple battle rules. The basic gist? Roll dice and hope you have better luck than I usually do.

  4. Collect resources from areas you control. Use them wisely—don’t spend all your gems at once, or you’ll regret it.

  5. Play passes to the next player. Try not to gloat if you just took the hill—no one likes a show-off. (Okay, some of us do.)

Winning

  1. To win, either control the Devil’s Den hill for three full turns, OR eliminate all your rivals. Simple to say, hard to do. I have managed to get the hill for two turns a few times. Third time was always my doom.

  2. If two players meet a win condition on the same turn, the player with the most resources wins. I recommend bribing the others with snacks in advance just in case.

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. Event cards can change the rules for a round. Always read them aloud. Once, someone tried to sneak a double-move card past the group. We still mention “Double-Move Dave.”

  2. You can’t control the same zone for more than two turns without a challenge. This stops one player from turtling on the hill (trust me, we tried).

  3. If all players lose their last troop in the same round, the game ends in a formal tie. We make everyone shake hands and then play again out of spite.

Now you know how to play Devil’s Den! Easy to pick up, tricky to master, and perfect if you enjoy yelling at your friends without actual consequences.

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Master Map Control and Movement in Devil’s Den!

Claim Key Territories Early

During my first game, I ignored the center and lost fast. Instead, focus on gaining ground at the start. Here’s how:

  1. Block choke points before your friends can.
  2. Position units to threaten multiple areas.
  3. Expand near resource-rich spots.

React to Opponent Moves

Maybe you think you’re safe—surprise, you’re not! Adapt on the fly:

  1. Shift troops if you spot weak flanks.
  2. Retreat when facing stronger forces.

Stay Flexible

How To Play devil’s den better? Always have a backup plan. Never stay stuck in one spot. If your plan fails, try flanking or sneaking around the map instead. Movement beats stubbornness every time!

Stack Your Supplies: Winning Resource Management Tactics in Devil’s Den

Count Every Token

Right from the start, you must track what you have. I once splurged tokens on a risky move and got stuck trading sheep for pity. Learn from my mistake!

  1. Keep a written list or mental tally each round.
  2. Check your resources before any flashy plays.
Trade Smart, Not Hard

Trading in Devil’s Den can put you ahead. Still, only trade when it really helps you, not your rival. I gave my buddy a gem, and he won. Never again.

  1. Offer resources you have in excess.
  2. Always get something you truly need.
Invest for Later

Save some resources for later game stages. Early spending can backfire. I blew my coins in round two, then watched the rest of the game from the sidelines. Oops.

  1. Spend only when you gain a clear advantage.
  2. Bank resources for a surprise comeback if needed.

Smack Down Their Sneaky Attacks: The Art of Countering in Devil’s Den

Know Your Enemy

  1. Watch for behavior patterns. Does your friend Mike always hoard units, or does he rush?
  2. Scan their set up turn by turn. You’ll spot clues before the storm hits.

Build Your Defenses Early

  1. Fortify weak spots with extra resources early. I learned this after a surprise assault from Lisa. That stung!
  2. Spread your units so you never have all your eggs in one basket.

React Fast

  1. Adapt your strategy at the first sign of enemy movement.
  2. Make bold counter-offensives if you spot over-extension.

How To Play devil’s den: Stay alert, adjust on the fly, and never panic! Your defense can turn the tide.

Final Thoughts: Outsmart, Outplay, Outlaugh!

So, that’s how you take on Devil’s Den and walk away with your dignity (and hopefully the win). My friends still remind me of the time I tried to block them in and somehow ended up boxed in myself—I blame snack distractions.

Remember, in How To Play devil’s den, you gotta keep your eyes sharp, your moves sharper, and your snacks out of your opponent’s reach. The map will mess with you, resources will run out, and that smug grin across the table will haunt your dreams, but stick with these tips and you’ll get the last laugh. Unless you play with my cousin Rob—no one beats Rob. Good luck, and may your dice always roll high (or whatever the victory condition is around your table)!

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.