Conan: A Tile-Based Strategy Game Guide, Rules & Instructions

Introduction

Conan is a board game that takes you into the world of Robert E. Howard’s famous character, Conan the Barbarian. It’s a game full of adventure, strategy, and battles, much as you’d expect. The game was first released a few years back and has gained a lot of fans since then, especially among gamers like me who also enjoyed the wider universe. There’s also a Conan collectible card game I’ve written about previously.

The board game is one where players work together as heroes to complete quests, fight enemies, and explore the world of Hyboria. Each player controls one or more heroes, while another player takes on the role of the Overlord, controlling the enemies and obstacles the heroes face. The game uses tiles to create the playing area, which can change with each game, making it a new experience every time.

Rules for playing Conan

The rules of Conan are a bit detailed, but I’ll break them down for you. First, you need to know that the game is played in rounds, and each round has two phases: the Hero Phase and the Overlord Phase. During the Hero Phase, each player can move their character, attack, defend, and perform actions like picking up items or opening doors. The Overlord then takes their turn, moving enemies and playing cards to challenge the heroes.

Each hero has a set of skills and abilities, as well as a stamina pool that they use to perform actions. But be careful, if you run out of stamina, your hero will be less effective. The Overlord has a similar resource called “threat,” which they use to activate enemies and set traps.

Combat is resolved using dice, and the game includes various types of dice that heroes and enemies use. The dice have symbols that determine the outcome of attacks, defenses, and other actions. The game continues until the heroes complete their objectives or the Overlord wins by defeating the heroes or completing their own dark scheme.

Equipment and Setup for Conan

To play Conan, you’ll need the game box, which includes all the tiles, miniatures, dice, cards, and tokens you’ll need. The game setup involves choosing a scenario, which will tell you how to arrange the tiles to create the game board, where to place the heroes and enemies, and what the objectives are.

The tiles represent different locations in the world of Hyboria, and there are several types, like dungeons, forests, and villages. You can even make your own tiles if you’re feeling creative, as long as they match the size and shape of the official ones.

How to Play Conan and Game Mechanics

The key game mechanics in Conan involve managing your resources, like stamina for heroes and threat for the Overlord, and using your abilities at the right time. Here’s a quick rundown of the gameplay phases:

1. Setup: Choose a scenario and set up the game board with tiles, miniatures, and tokens.
2. Hero Phase: Heroes take turns performing actions, moving, attacking, and using skills.
3. Overlord Phase: The Overlord activates enemies, plays cards, and tries to stop the heroes.
4. End of the Game: The game ends when the heroes complete their objectives or the Overlord wins.

How to Win at Conan

Winning at Conan requires good teamwork if you’re playing as the heroes. You need to plan your moves, conserve your stamina, and work together to defeat enemies and complete objectives. As the Overlord, you need to be strategic about when to attack the heroes and when to hold back, using your threat wisely to control the flow of the game.

For beginners, focus on learning how your hero’s abilities work and how to use them effectively. Intermediate players should start thinking about how to combine their heroes’ abilities for greater effect. Advanced players will be looking for ways to anticipate the Overlord’s moves and counter them.

Best Strategies for playing Conan game

Some of the best strategies for playing Conan involve knowing when to be aggressive and when to be defensive. Heroes should try to take out enemies quickly to reduce the Overlord’s options, but also be ready to defend when necessary. It’s also important to keep an eye on the objectives and not get too distracted by fighting.

Sneaky tactics can include using the environment to your advantage, like blocking doorways to slow down enemies or using ranged attacks from high ground. The Overlord can use tactics like targeting the hero with the lowest defense or using enemies to block the heroes’ path.

Scenarios

In good scenarios, like when you have the Overlord on the back foot, press your advantage and complete objectives quickly. In bad scenarios, like when your hero is surrounded by enemies, look for ways to escape or use powerful abilities to turn the tide.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Conan game

Here are some common questions and answers:

1. Q: How many players can play Conan?

   A: Conan is designed for 2 to 5 players.

2. Q: Can I play solo?

   A: Officially, Conan is not a solo game, but there are fan-made solo rules you can find online.

3. Q: How long does a game of Conan take?

   A: A typical game lasts about 90 minutes, but it can vary based on the scenario and players.

4. Q: Is there a way to make the game easier or harder?

   A: Yes, you can adjust the difficulty by changing the number of enemies or altering the objectives.

5. Q: Can I create my own scenarios?

   A: Absolutely! Creating your own scenarios can add a lot of replay value to the game.

External Links

For more information on Conan and to find the official rulebook, check out these links:

Official Conan Website