How To Play: Devil’s Den

Overview

If you’ve ever wanted to outsmart your friends and claim victory at Devil’s Den, you’re in the right place! After many heated (and hilarious) battles at my kitchen table, I’ve put together this guide. I’ll cover how to play Devil’s Den with a simple outline of the game rules. Plus, I’ll share the best strategies I’ve tried so you can snatch the win next game night.

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 1 Rulebook
• 2 Player Aid Cards
• 416 Counters
• 2 Dice
• 1 Turn Record Track
• 1 Counter Tray

How To Play Devil’s Den: Rules Summary

Setup

1. First, place the game board on a flat surface. Trust me, playing on your dog’s back will not end well for the dog or your pieces.

2. Next, each player grabs their army pieces. Double-check colors—I once played as both sides and still lost.

3. Put your units on your side’s starting zones as shown in the rulebook. If you skip this, the game might turn into a scavenger hunt—fun, but not the goal here.

4. Finally, place all event cards, dice, and tokens nearby. Snacks go even closer. No, you cannot eat the tokens.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, move your units according to the movement points. Don’t forget—horses move faster than your infantry, unless you’re playing with my cousin Bob, who ignores that rule.

2. Attack when you are in range. Roll the dice and check who gets hit. Remember, yelling “pew pew!” is optional, but highly encouraged.

3. Draw event cards when prompted. These can help you—or make you wish you’d become a professional yo-yo player instead.

4. Alternate turns and keep battling until the win condition slaps you in the face (metaphorically, unless your friends are sore losers).

Winning

1. To win, control the Devil’s Den area at the end of the game. This usually means outfoxing your opponents and maybe bribing them with snacks.

2. If you wipe out all enemy units (and your victory dance doesn’t knock over the board), you also win.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Certain terrain gives defense bonuses. Hiding in the woods is great unless your allergies act up.

2. Reinforcements arrive per the reinforcement chart. Timing is everything—just ask my team who waited for help that never came.

3. Unexpected events from cards or dice rolls might mix things up—so keep your wits and your snacks close.

Now you know How To Play Devil’s Den! If you mess up, blame the snacks. Good luck—may your dice be hot and your friends gracious in defeat.

Best Devil’s Den Strategies

Seize Victory by Mastering Key Terrain in Devil’s Den

Identify the Hotspots

First, spot which areas give advantage—maybe high ground or roadblocks. These spots control movement and supply lines. Focus here early on.

1. Scout the map before moving troops.
2. Predict opponent moves based on terrain.
3. Send your fastest units to grab key spaces.

Fortify and Hold

Next, dig in once you take control. This makes your enemy waste resources. Over time, holding these spots drains their will to keep trying.

1. Spread units evenly to block weak points.
2. Keep a reserve for surprise attacks.

Rotate Forces Often

Finally, fresh units hold better. Swap tired units for strong ones. That way, no single spot falls from neglect.

1. Plan ahead and set a rotation order.
2. Always have backup forces close by.

After a few games with my friends, it became clear that if you control key terrain, you stand a much better chance. That’s a big part of how to play devil’s den and win without pulling your hair out!

Reinforcements: Your Secret Weapon in Devil’s Den

Keep Reserves Ready

Never throw all your troops at the enemy at once. Instead, hold some units back as a backup plan. This gives you breathing room when challenges hit.

1. Rotate tired units with fresh ones.
2. Respond fast to sudden enemy moves.

Time Your Reinforcements

Bringing in reinforcements at the right moment can change the game. If you wait too long or bring them in too early, you might regret it.

1. Watch for weak spots before sending help.
2. Surprise your opponent by moving units where they least expect.

Balance Offense and Defense

If you send all your reserves to attack, your defense will suffer. Save some for emergencies, as you never know when you’ll need to block a sneak attack.

1. Split forces between defense and support.
2. Adapt quickly as the battle shifts.

Mastering the Art of Offense and Defense in Devil’s Den

Keep Your Opponent Guessing

Constantly switch between attacking and holding ground. By keeping your friends off-balance, you gain an upper hand. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Attack weak points when they seem distracted.
2. Reinforce your own lines right after you score a win.

React to Changing Battlefields

Someone always pulls a sneaky move when you least expect it. Stay alert!

1. Adjust your defense as soon as your opponent pushes forward.
2. Counterattack instead of going all-in on defense.

How To Play devil’s den Without Losing Your Cool

Never let excitement ruin your plans. Pause, breathe, then:

1. Weigh risks before launching an assault.
2. Back up attacks with solid defense every time.

So, Who Will Hold the Devil’s Den?

There you have it—my best advice after seeing my buddy Greg gloat for two hours straight. Remember, keep an eye on key spots, don’t waste reinforcements (looking at you, Sam), and know when to turtle up or charge like a maniac. Let the dice gods smile on you, but don’t forget, a sharp plan always beats luck. If you want to rule the rocks and hills, use these tips, practice, and laugh when the plan goes sideways. That’s really what Devil’s Den is all about—and yes, I checked, snacks help too!

And if you want to know How To Play devil’s den, just trust me: read the rules, learn from your losses, and yell dramatically when you take the ridge. Worked for me (once).

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