- BGG rating
- 8.2
Dogs of War: Alhazred
- 3–5 players
- 75 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #909
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Dogs of War
2014
Rules assistance for Dogs of War
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–5 players
- 75 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.6/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Dogs of War
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Dogs of War is a board game released in 2014 for 3–5 players, 75 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Paolo Mori and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Area Majority / Influence.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 8.1
Dogs of War: Count Iago
- 3–5 players
- 75 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2014
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Dogs of War: Mother Apollonia
- 3–5 players
- 75 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2014
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Dogs of War: Tactic Cards & Order of Battle Tiles
- 3–5 players
- 75 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2014
- BGG rating
- 8.2
Dogs of War: Viscount Perceval d'Hiver
- 3–5 players
- 75 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2014
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About the game
A Game of Shifting Allegiances for 3 to 5 Players This is a fractured and wretched realm. Six once-great Houses can hardly stand, yet are at each other’s throats. Their armies decimated, they turn to you - the Dogs of War - to break their stalemate in exchange for fame and fortune. You and your most treacherous friends will compete, each wielding a unique and powerful advantage over the others. You will raise armies to do these rulers’ dirty works, fight their endless wars, and win at any cost. Allegiances - only as deep as your pockets are lined. Every turn a single play might sway an entire battlefield to victory, acquire new armies, tactics, and gold, turn a hard-won skirmish into a crushing defeat, or hollowly divert attention from your true motives. At the end of three long years of bloodshed, only the Dog of War most steeped in battlefield trophies and influence with the prevailing Houses will stand victorious. A curse shall light upon the limbs of men. Domestic fury and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy. Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war, All pity choked with custom of fell deeds, And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial. -Act 3, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar During three rounds, battles between six “noble” Houses take place. Each player controls a Dog of War, choosing which House to support at each moment by sending their Captains leading Soldier Companies into battle. As a House emerges victorious from battle, it becomes more valuable for the players who have influence with it. There are many paths to victory for the Dogs of War. While earning influence with the prominent Houses is key, victory may also be achieved by defeating your opponents in battle and earning bountiful rewards and riches. Now, Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the Dogs of War.
Designers
Publishers
- Edge Entertainment
- asmodee
- Pendragon Game Studio
- Cool Mini Or Not
- Spaghetti Western Games
- Alis Games
- Play to Z
Questions and answers
Dogs of War supports 3–5 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 Dogs of War is 75 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 Dogs of War 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.
Dogs of War has a complexity rating of 2.6 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.
Dogs of War belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Wargame, and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Area Majority / Influence. 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 Dogs of War are: Paolo Mori. 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 Dogs of War 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.