Dwellings of Eldervale
- Players
- 1-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 150 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.2 / 5
- Year
- 2020
About the game
Dwellings of Eldervale drops players into a fantasy world of elemental magic where dragons, wizards, and warriors compete for dominance. Combining worker placement with area control and light engine building, players send unique faction workers to key locations like the summoning portal and the mage tower to gather resources and power. Adventure cards build a personal tableau of abilities, letting each faction grow in its own distinctive way. Ultimately, whoever accumulates the most elemental dominance across multiple victory paths claims Eldervale.
Hobbli's Notes
This one impressed us with how much variety it packs into a single box, thanks to modular boards and asymmetric factions. It scratches an itch for players who love Scythe-style area control but want a lighter, faster-paced worker placement chassis underneath. The fantasy production values are gorgeous and the solo mode is a nice bonus for practicing faction strategies. It does ask new players to absorb quite a few interlocking systems in the first game.
What we like
- Asymmetric factions give each playthrough a different feel.
- Blends worker placement and area control smoothly.
- Modular board setup adds strong replayability.
- Solo mode is well supported for practice or solo play.
Keep in mind
- First games carry a steep learning curve with many interacting systems.
- Playtime can stretch long with a full player count.
- Some may find the fantasy theme thin relative to the mechanical depth.
Who it's for
Good fit for fantasy-loving euro gamers, ages 14 and up, playing in groups of two to five who enjoy area control and worker placement hybrids.
