
- BGG rating
- 9.1
Gudnak: Auroxi Expansion
- 2–4 players
- 15–25 min
- 2024

2024
Rules assistance for Gudnak
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Gudnak is a board game released in 2024 for 2–4 players, 15–25 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Timothy S. O'Brien and Ian Oliver and its main mechanics are Square Grid, Card Play Conflict Resolution, and Action Points.
Gudnak (the Orcish word for "War") is a tactical expandable card game with easy-to-learn rules and deep tactics. It's played on a 3x3 grid with 2 players, or a 5x5 grid with 4 players. Gudnak is a fast-paced game with symmetrical deckbuilding, meaning each player has the same number of tactics and fighters (with the same power, even!). And, unlike some other Magical games that require Gathering, you get to use every card in your deck every game. Choose a faction, build your deck of Heroes and Tactics, and then besiege your opponent's Stronghold while defending your own! This project contains the Core set (featuring four factions) and the first two expansions: the Auroxi and the Rotborn. Each expansion introduces a new faction, a new card type, and dozens of neutral- and faction-specific cards.
Gudnak 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 Gudnak is 15–25 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 Gudnak 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.
Gudnak has a complexity rating of 2.5 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.
Gudnak belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Fighting. Its main mechanics are Square Grid, Card Play Conflict Resolution, and Action Points. 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 Gudnak are: Timothy S. O'Brien and Ian Oliver. 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 Gudnak 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.