
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,526
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Defenders of the Last Stand
- 1–5 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2016

Rules assistance for Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs
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Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs is an expansion for Defenders of the Realm released in 2022 for 1–4 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Richard Launius and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Push Your Luck, and Dice Rolling.
The Companions & Catacombs expansion for Defenders of the Realm takes the realm to the next level in regard to questing as heroes can now enter the dangerous dungeon catacombs where great treasure is hidden. Heroes may enhance their combat abilities by obtaining this treasure, but beware; only the bravest and most valiant heroes can gain such hidden and guarded treasures, and many that seek them may not return. Fear not brave Heroes because you will not be alone in these new challenges for new allies come to your aid, companions that join in your battles and venture with you in the quest for treasure in defense of the realm. But darkness has a way of expanding as well. The enemy grows off the dark places and rises up in opposition of the heroes seeking treasure and allies. They too recruit from the dungeons, and send new challenges the heroes must face in the form of Spiders, Renegade Trolls, and brutal Warlords joining their forces. Companions and Catacombs may be added to any game of Defenders of the Realm to expand story and provide new opportunities and challenges for the heroes.
Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs 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 Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs is 90 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 Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs for ages 13 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.
Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Dice. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Push Your Luck, 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 Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs are: Richard Launius. 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 Defenders of the Realm: Companions and Catacombs as an expansion for Defenders of the Realm. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Defenders of the Realm to use it. Check that your edition of Defenders of the Realm is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.