Dungeon Lords
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.6 / 5
- Year
- 2009
About the game
In Dungeon Lords, players take on the role of an evil overlord building the ultimate dungeon, hiring monsters, constructing rooms, and setting traps to repel meddling do-gooder heroes. Using a clever simultaneous card-based worker placement system, players compete for limited resources like gold and monster recruits while planning ahead for each season's incoming threats. At the end of each game year, the heroes invade, and success is measured by how well your dungeon withstood their assault. Vlaada Chvátil's dark sense of humor infuses every card and event with wit.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team rates Dungeon Lords as a clever, wickedly funny worker-placement game that flips the usual hero fantasy on its head. The escalating tension of preparing for the heroes' invasion each "year" makes for genuinely satisfying long-term planning.
What we like
- Clever simultaneous worker-placement system.
- Darkly humorous theme and writing throughout.
- Rewards careful long-term planning across game years.
- High replayability from varied hero encounters.
Keep in mind
- Long 90-minute playtime with high complexity.
- Steep learning curve for new players.
- Significant downtime waiting on other players' plans.
Who it's for
Best for 2-4 experienced strategy gamers aged 12+ who enjoy dark humor, worker placement, and dungeon-building themes.
