- BGG rank
- BGG #12,426
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Heropath: Dragon Roar
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2018
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- BGG #23,736
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Encounters
1982
Rules assistance for Encounters
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 60 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Encounters
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Encounters is a board game released in 1982 for 2–4 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Dice Rolling, and Open Drafting.
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About the game
Encounters is a light, "take that" sort of card game with a D&D / fantasy theme. The game features a deck of cards consisting of heroes, monsters, weapons and treasure. Each player starts the game with a party of adventurers (hero cards) on their side (think clerics, fighters, elves, etc.). During your turn you draw two cards and play two cards, allowing you to perform actions like sending monsters to fight other players, equipping your heroes with weapons, or placing acquired treasure in your personal vault. A simple combat system is used to resolve monster attacks (which can kill your heroes), and then play passes to the next player. Adding some complexity and theme are a number of special ability rules that apply to the different heroes and monsters, such as spells, turning undead, armor abilities, fiery breath, etc. When only one player has heroes left standing, that player gets a gold bonus and the round ends. The cards are collected and a new round begins! Rinse and repeat until the winning player reaches a certain level of accumulated wealth. Re-issued as a CCG with more cards in 1995 under the name Fantasy Adventures.
Publishers
- Mayfair Games
Questions and answers
Encounters supports 2–4 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 Encounters is 60 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 Encounters for ages 10 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.
Encounters has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Encounters belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Fighting. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Dice Rolling, and Open Drafting. 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 catalogue lists Encounters 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.