How To Play: In the Hall of the Mountain King – Setup, rule summary and strategy

This guide offers a comprehensive overview of 'In the Hall of the Mountain King', covering essential game setup, strategic gameplay tactics, winning criteria, and special rules. It's designed to equip players with the knowledge to navigate the game efficiently, aiming for victory by optimizing resource management, tunnel placement, and wagon movement.

Welcome to the ultimate guide on ‘How To Play In the Hall of the Mountain King’! Whether you’re a new adventurer gearing up to enter the caverns or a seasoned troll seeking dominion over the mountain, this guide is your lantern in the dark. Not only will we outline the game rules for a seamless start, but we’ll also navigate through the best strategies to clinch victory. Ready your pickaxes, let the excavation begin!

Overview

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 5 Player Boards
  • 110 Terrain Tiles
  • 85 Resources (17 of each type)
  • 70 Trolls
  • 25 Statuettes (5 of each kind)
  • 12 Workshops
  • 10 Great Halls
  • 5 Score Markers
  • 30 Coins
  • 15 Heartstone Gems
  • 15 Potion Tokens
  • 1 Starting Player Hammer
  • 2 Reference Sheets
  • 1 Rulebook

How To Play In the Hall of the Mountain King: Rules Summary


Setting Up the Kingdom

  1. Place the main game board in the center.
  2. Each player picks a faction and collects the corresponding trolls, halls, workshops, statues, and starting resources.
  3. Assemble the mountain by randomly placing terrain tiles within the outlined area on the game board.
  4. Shuffle and deal spell cards, placing them beside the board.
  5. Separate and stack the Great Hall tiles and pedestals by type, making them accessible to all players.

Diving into Gameplay

  1. Players take turns drafting trolls from the Trollsmoot, adding them to their Troll pyramid underneath the last layer, activating their abilities.
  2. Use resource management to excavate the mountain, build tunnels, workshops, Great Halls, and move statues towards the great hall to gain prestige points.
  3. Cast spells using spells cards for various advantages.
  4. Strategically time the workshop and statue placements for maximal benefit.
  5. Gather resources to continue expanding through the mountain.

Claiming Victory in the Hall

  1. The game ends when either the spell deck is exhausted or the last pedestal is placed.
  2. Players then calculate their total prestige points from their constructed tunnels, Great Halls, workshops, and statues placed within.
  3. The player with the highest prestige point total is declared the victor, reclaiming the mountain king’s throne.

Encountering Special Rules & Conditions

  1. If a tie occurs, the player with the most remaining resources is the winner.
  2. Special actions can be unlocked by constructing certain buildings or reaching new levels within your Troll pyramid.
  3. Remember the spell cards’ synergies can complement your strategies significantly.
  4. Adjust your strategy based on the other players’ moves, especially in terms of spell usage and tackling objectives.

Best In The Hall Of The Mountain King Strategies

Mastering Resource Management in In the Hall of the Mountain King

In any playthrough of ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’, managing your resources deftly separates the legendary cavern-dwellers from the forgettable. Initially, concentrate on gathering a varied yet focused set of resources. This fosters flexibility for unforeseen situations.

Strategize Your Starting Resources

  1. Choose starting resources that complement your troll’s abilities.

Balance Immediate Needs with Future Plans

  1. Prioritize resources that enable both immediate actions and future strategies.

Monitor Opponents’ Resource Status

  1. Adjust your strategy based on others’ resource stockpiles to predict their next moves.

Mastering Tunnel Placement

In ‘How To Play In the Hall of the Mountain King’, strategic tunnel placement is key to controlling the mountain’s resources and pathways. Markedly, it’s the foundation for a robust game strategy. Hence, consider these approaches:

Target Strategic Locations

  1. Target resource-rich areas to secure a steady supply.
  2. Connect to Great Hall locations swiftly for significant point boosts.

Block Opponents Strategically

  1. Place tunnels to obstruct direct paths for rivals, compelling longer routes.
  2. Consider potential expansion plans of adversaries and intervene.

Create Efficient Pathways

  1. Design your tunnel network for ease of troop movement towards key objectives.
  2. Keep flexibility in mind for later adjustments.

Mastering Wagon Movement in ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’

To reign supreme in ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’, optimizing your wagon movement is key. In playing with my friends, I realized it’s all about being both proactive and reactive in your strategy. Here’s how:

  1. Plan Your Route Early

    Starting the game with an exit strategy for your wagon can significantly impact your efficiency. Consider the resources and workshops you’ll need access to, and chart a flexible path.

  2. Adapt to the Terrain

    The mountain’s terrain can throw unexpected challenges. Stay ready to alter your route when faced with blocked paths or new opportunities.

  3. Capitalize on Multi-stop Moves

    When moving your wagon, aim for steps that include multiple beneficial stops, meshing well with your resource collection or tunnel building strategies.

Remember, in ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’, your wagon is not just a tool for movement, but a pivotal piece of a larger strategy to achieve victory.

Mastering In the Hall of the Mountain King

Having journeyed together through the ins and outs of ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King,’ from efficiently managing your resources and strategically placing your tunnels, to optimizing your wagon movements, you’re now equipped with knowledge that not only serves as your torch in the depths of the mountain but also as your guide to victory. Remember, every game is a new adventure. May your decisions lead you to emerge as the true ruler beneath the mountain. So gather your wits, call upon your friends, and let the mountains echo with the tales of your triumphs!

Want to know what we think of In the Hall of the Mountain King? Read our detailed review of In the Hall of the Mountain King 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.