- BGG rating
- 7.8
Path of Light and Shadow: Solstice
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,883
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Path of Light and Shadow
2017
Rules assistance for Path of Light and Shadow
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- 14+
- Complexity 3.1/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Path of Light and Shadow
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Path of Light and Shadow is a board game released in 2017 for 2–4 players, 60–120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Jonathan Gilmour-Long, Travis R. Chance, and Nick Little (I) and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Dice Rolling.
Expansions
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,690
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Heroes Wanted
- 1–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,484
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Legendary: Buffy The Vampire Slayer
- 1–5 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #307
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Tapestry
- 1–5 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,069
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Cthulhu: Dark Providence
- 1–5 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,241
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Dark Ages: Holy Roman Empire
- 1–4 players
- 120–180 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,431
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Dark Ages: Heritage of Charlemagne
- 1–4 players
- 120–180 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,063
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Ruination
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #109
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Aeon's End
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #152
- BGG rating
- 8.2
Aeon's End: War Eternal
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #303
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Aeon's End: The New Age
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,304
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Aeon's End: Outcasts
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #260
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Aeon's End: Legacy
- 1–4 players
- 45–90 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2019
About the game
The Realms lay divided, their former wonder lost and forgotten. The Tyrant Queen has seized the throne, forcing the rightful heirs deep into exile. You are the sons and daughters of the once-great houses: Foxway, Gorga, Mherzeen, and Spyre. Under the tutelage of advisors, you have gathered your followers, your conscripts. The time has come to take back what is yours. Path of Light and Shadow is a massive empire-building experience, combining area control, deck management, and civilization customization. As players vie for control of The Realms, they must enlist and promote supporters, outfit their burgeoning empire with powerful technologies, align with powerful leaders, and lay siege to rival exiles after the throne. Above all else, each player must decide what type of leader they will become, cruel or merciful. But choose wisely, for each path has its rewards and perils.
Mechanics
Publishers
- Devir
- Stronghold Games
- Indie Boards & Cards
- Action Phase Games
Questions and answers
Path of Light and Shadow 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 Path of Light and Shadow is 60–120 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 Path of Light and Shadow 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.
Path of Light and Shadow has a complexity rating of 3.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Path of Light and Shadow belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Territory Building, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, 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 Path of Light and Shadow are: Jonathan Gilmour-Long, Travis R. Chance, and Nick Little (I). 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 Path of Light and Shadow 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.