
- BGG rank
- BGG #234
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
- 1–5 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2012

2023
Rules assistance for Bantam West
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Bantam West is a board game released in 2023 for 1–4 players, 45–180 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Ike Brunicardi and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Dice Rolling.
Welcome, weary traveler, to Gallow Springs - the only "civilized" town on the entire Dethelm Frontier. Surrounded by bandits, predators, and cultists, only the toughest survive. If you’re going to last, you must find a source of income, purchase new gear, build shelter, recruit a posse, and protect your homestead. Do you have what it takes? Bantam West is a competitive open-world board game with role-playing elements for 1-4 players. Begin life anew as one of four Deadly Strangers who all just arrived in the outlaw town of Gallow Springs. Spend your Grit to work, fight, build, and burn to become the most Notorious. It’s time to tell your own story... Set in a Western sandbox, you are given total freedom to form a plan and play on your character's strengths, weaknesses, and personality to outperform the competition. Whether you live the life of a powerful merchant, an agile gunslinger, a malicious arsonist, or a stealthy thief, there is a unique way for you to come out on top! Along the way, be on the lookout for enemies and rival players who aim to fight you, burn your cabins down, and steal your hard-earned wealth! —description from the publisher
Bantam West supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Bantam West is 45–180 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Bantam West for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Bantam West has a complexity rating of 3.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Bantam West belongs to these categories: Fighting, Exploration, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Dice Rolling. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Bantam West are: Ike Brunicardi. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Bantam West as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.