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Gloomhaven
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #19,960
- BGG rating
- 8.2
Mantle of the Keeper
2023
Rules assistance for Mantle of the Keeper
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.0/5
Rules assistant for Mantle of the Keeper
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Mantle of the Keeper is a board game released in 2023 for 2–4 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Zac Rovang, Ben Levy, and Erik Smithe and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That.
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About the game
The Keeper of Vaile has fallen and chaos has enveloped the realm. The time has come to find someone worthy to take up the Mantle of the Keeper and bring order to Vaile. The protectors of the Cosmos, known as the Ascended, have each selected their own candidates, called Chosen, to compete in the Keeper Trials. In this 2-4 player card-driven skirmish game, players take on the role of one of six Chosen characters to either battle head to head or on teams to become the next Keeper of Vaile. In Mantle of the Keeper, each Chosen has its own individual playstyle, deck of cards, and abilities, allowing players to leverage its Chosen’s strengths. Construct the arena to create a fierce battle experience while placing Hazard tokens to push the limits of movement and strategy. Utilize your Chosen’s distinctive skill set to unleash devastating attacks upon your foes. Counter the attacks of your rivals with powerful defenses to gain Favor, which can be spent to upgrade your Chosen and use your unique abilities. Do you have what it takes to overcome your opponents and take up the Mantle of the Keeper? —description from the publisher
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- StrongBox Games
Questions and answers
Mantle of the Keeper 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 Mantle of the Keeper is 30–60 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 Mantle of the Keeper 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.
Mantle of the Keeper 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.
Mantle of the Keeper belongs to these categories: Fantasy and Fighting. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That. 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 Mantle of the Keeper are: Zac Rovang, Ben Levy, and Erik Smithe. 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 Mantle of the Keeper 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.