How To Play: Devil’s Den

Devil's Den is all about smart unit placement, sharp resource moves, and perfect attack timing. My friends and I sweated over these rules and strategies. If you want to win, remember the How To Play devil's den basics: plan ahead, manage what you’ve got, and strike when foes least expect it!

Overview

Have you ever flipped a table because your so-called friend snuck up on you in Devil’s Den? Same here. After one too many game night betrayals, I put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a simple outline of the rules (no twelve-page manuals, I promise) and, most important, the best strategies for winning. Stick with me and you might finally defeat your most annoying rival. Here’s How To Play devil’s den and win.

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game board
  • 4 Faction reference sheets
  • 36 Unit miniatures
  • 80 Resource tokens
  • 24 Action cards
  • 12 Event cards
  • 1 Rulebook
  • 4 Player markers
  • 6 Dice
  • 1 Turn tracker

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup
  1. Place the game board in the middle of the table. Try not to spill your drink on it (learned this the hard way).
  2. Give each player their set of colored units and matching resource tokens. If someone takes your color, demand a rematch.
  3. Shuffle all strategy cards and deal three to each player.
  4. Put the supply deck and objective cards next to the board. Make sure your cat doesn’t eat any of them.
  5. Roll the dice. The highest roller goes first—unless your grandma is playing. Then she always goes first.
Gameplay
  1. On your turn, draw one supply card and two resource tokens. Act surprised every time you get a good one.
  2. Place or move one unit. Units can go to any empty space. But, no teleporting! (I tried, didn’t work.)
  3. Play one strategy card if you want. Or save it for a big move later. I always forget and play it by accident.
  4. Attack an adjacent enemy unit, if you’re next to one. Don’t forget to roll the dice and do your best battle face.
  5. End your turn by passing the dice to the left and giving your best evil laugh.
Winning
  1. Complete all your objective cards. It sounds easy, but I once lost to my younger cousin. Still hurts.
  2. Alternatively, eliminate all enemy units and control the majority of resource spaces.
  3. The first player to meet either condition wins and gets bragging rights—at least until the next game.
Special Rules & Conditions
  1. If you draw a “Devil’s Den” card, follow its instructions. Sometimes, it helps. Sometimes, chaos follows. Always fun.
  2. No alliances last forever. Betrayals are part of the fun, and so is pretending to be shocked.
  3. One resource token can be traded per turn—unless the trade involves snacks, then anything goes.
  4. If a player loses all units, they’re out, but can cheer—or heckle—from the sidelines.

That’s it! If you want to know How To Play Devil’s Den, just follow the steps above. May the best trickster win and the worst loser bring snacks next time.

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Mastering Unit Placement and Movement in Devil’s Den

Read the Battlefield First

Before you even move your first piece, scan the board. This is key for planning your first strikes. I learned the hard way after my friends cornered me in turn two!

Key Unit Placement Tips

  1. Guard choke points to control enemy movement.
  2. Keep ranged units behind cover for maximum damage.
  3. Spread out to avoid being flanked—bunching up cost me the game once.

Movement Matters

  1. Advance in groups, so units support each other.
  2. Always keep an escape route—you’ll thank me later.

Final Thoughts

Smart placement and movement can make or break your game. Remember, knowing how to play devil’s den helps, but a good plan wins battles!

Smart Resource Moves in Devil’s Den

Keep Track of Your Supplies

Always count your ammo and food each turn. If you run out, you might face some embarrassing defeats. So, plan ahead and don’t let your stomach (or gun) go empty!

Upgrade When You Can

If you get the chance, upgrade your units and defenses. This often pays off in later rounds. Here’s what I do:

  1. Save up during calm rounds
  2. Spend wisely only on badly-needed upgrades
  3. Keep enough back for emergencies
Trade with Caution

When someone offers you a trade, always ask yourself, “Will this help me or help them more?” In my last game, I traded away bullets for food. Bad move. I ended up with a full belly but no way to shoot my way out!

So now you know How To Play devil’s den without losing your shirt (or your last can of beans).

Strike Like a Devil: Mastering Attack Timing in Devil’s Den

Study Your Opponents

I learned quickly that paying attention to my friends’ moves can lead to perfect ambush moments. Watch their patterns and pounce when they’re weakest.

  1. Note when enemies overextend
  2. Spot patterns in their defense
  3. Prepare your units for a sneak attack
Pick the Right Round

Sometimes patience wins games. Wait for the right round, especially just before supply phases or troop movements. Surprise attacks then are golden.

  1. Attack before opponents reinforce
  2. Strike during resource shortages
Bluff When Necessary

I once faked an attack in Devil’s Den and tricked my buddy into wasting his best unit. Never underestimate the power of a good bluff.

  1. Pretend to commit forces
  2. Force your rival to react too soon

Knowing How To Play devil’s den is about when, not just how, you attack. Trust me, charge in at the right time and you’ll feel like a tactical genius.

So, Are You Ready To Command The Den?

Congrats, you made it to the end without flipping the table or eating the play money (looking at you, Steve). If you follow these tips, you won’t just be playing Devil’s Den—you’ll be haunting your friends’ dreams with your sneaky strategies and expert moves. Remember, mistakes just make for better stories later, so don’t sweat a fumbled attack or a poorly placed bunker.

Next time you play, show off your knowledge on How To Play devil’s den and watch your friends start to worry. Just don’t blame me if you suddenly become the main target every game. Good luck, and may your dice never betray you!

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.