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- BGG #24,139
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Yarmuk
- 2 players
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 1997
- BGG rank
- BGG #26,756
- BGG rating
- 5.6
Clontarf
1993
Rules assistance for Clontarf
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 180 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Clontarf
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Clontarf is a board game released in 1993 for 2 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Adrian McGrath and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Hexagon Grid.
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About the game
Clontarf, is a grand tactical simulation of The Battle of Clontarf that took place on 23 April 1014 at Clontarf, near Dublin, on the east coast of Ireland. It pitted the forces of Brian Boru, high king of Ireland, against a Norse-Irish alliance comprising the forces of Sigtrygg Silkbeard, king of Dublin, Máel Mórda mac Murchada, king of Leinster, and a Viking contingent led by Sigurd of Orkney and Brodir of Mann. It lasted from sunrise to sunset, and ended in a rout of the Viking and Leinster forces. It is estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 men were killed. Although Brian's forces were victorious, Brian himself was killed, as were his son Murchad and his grandson Toirdelbach. Leinster king Máel Mórda and Viking leaders Sigurd and Brodir were also slain. Game from Strategy & Tactics magazine #162 (along with Saipan) depicting a long forgotten but interesting subject. Game of the clash between the invading viking and the Irish forces under Brian Boro. Little is known on this battle and the designer has admittedly researched as best he could. However, the game is of original design and is quite bloody in its combat table, well in keeping with the era. Nicely produced map and counters,depicting the area of the battle, with counters in the traditional green for you know who and blue for the vikings and their allies. The game is based on kill or be killed, with little room for maneuver... and would suit most medieval wargamers to a tee. Game Scale: Turn: 30 minutes Map: 130 yards per hex Unit: Individual Leaders and 300-500 men per combat counter Game Contents: One 22 x 34" (Clontarf uses only half of the map as the other half is for Saipan) One countersheet (200 1/2" dual-side printed counters, 100 for Saipan and 100 for Clontarf) One 10 page rulebook
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Decision Games (I)
Questions and answers
Clontarf supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Clontarf is 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 Clontarf for ages 12 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.
Clontarf has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
Clontarf belongs to these categories: Wargame and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Hexagon Grid. 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 Clontarf are: Adrian McGrath. 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 Clontarf 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.