On the Radar: Dark Minions
Posted by James (admin) on September 29th, 2011
I read the rules to Dark Minion recently and it sounds really promising. The players are all dark hordes descending upon towns to attack and loot them, which I already liked the sound of, but it contains some interesting game mechanics delivering a mix of meeple allocation, area control and dice.
On their turn, a player rolls 3 dice which they use to either attack towns, respawn minions from the graveyard, or capture towers. Attacking towns is the core of the game where a player can allocates dice to the towns (a maximum of one dice per town) allowing them to place that many minions next to the town. When there are enough total minions from all players next to a town to exceed its defense number, the town falls and the player who allocated the most minions gets the tile, the victory points (VPs) and the skulls printed on the tile. Also, the player who allocated the second most minions gets 2 VPs, and the player triggering the event gets 1 VP.
One aspect I really like the sound of is that the 1’s on the dice are actually +1’s which can be added other dice results. I like this because rolling low in games usually penalises a player through sheer bad luck but, in this case, rolling +1 allows a player to make other dice stronger. This sounds like a subtle but clever mechanic to balance up the luck of the roll. Also, this idea is taken further by the white dice – a player can choose to roll a white dice instead of their usual dice which can add +1 or +2 (or a skull) which is also a nice idea.
Players start with a couple of re-roll tokens but these are worth VPs at the end so there’s a tough decision whether to use them. Also, skulls are worth VPs at the end but can be used to get minions back from the graveyard. Capturing enough towers allows players to level up which lets them roll better dice.
The game also comes with an advanced option allowing players to use dice to gain overlords (such as dark wizard, blood elf, minotaur, gargoyle, werewolf, etc.) that give players special powers.
So, Dark Minions is a dice driven game but sounds like it has good tactical elements ensuring there are decisions to be made and plenty of interaction rather than depend upon luck. Minions will be released by Z-Man Games at Spiel in Essen.
You can read the rules here.
DARK MINIONS COMPETITION
In my annual Spiel games giveaway, and in association with Z-Man Games, I gave away a copy of Dark Minions in October 2011. This competition has now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:10 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
Please.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:10 am
I’m a dark minion and I would like to win!!!
October 20th, 2011 at 12:10 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:10 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:12 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
🙂
October 20th, 2011 at 12:20 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:23 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
Well, actually I’d rather loot your town, but winning would be nice too 🙂
October 20th, 2011 at 12:25 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:25 am
I am a dark minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:34 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:37 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:39 am
I’m a Dark Minion, and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 1:12 am
Pick me Pick me 🙂
thanks for the giveaway.
October 20th, 2011 at 1:13 am
OK so here goes…
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 1:42 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 2:17 am
I am a dark minion and I would like to win!
October 20th, 2011 at 2:41 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:18 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
But If someone else wins that is ok too. I like games.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:23 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:35 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:51 am
I don’t twitter, so it’s 6 entries for me! (I’m a Dark Minion, and I’d like to win.) Thank you!
October 20th, 2011 at 5:51 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 6:10 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 8:11 am
“I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.”
October 20th, 2011 at 10:09 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:16 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:22 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 21st, 2011 at 12:23 am
I’m a dark minion and I would like to win!!!
October 21st, 2011 at 12:47 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 21st, 2011 at 9:46 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 21st, 2011 at 8:21 pm
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 23rd, 2011 at 1:52 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
A LOT
October 23rd, 2011 at 4:33 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win!
PS: I really like your twitter coverage of the Spiel this year!
October 23rd, 2011 at 6:27 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 23rd, 2011 at 10:44 pm
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 26th, 2011 at 11:52 am
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.
October 28th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I’m a Dark Minion and I would like to win.