- BGG rating
- 7.0
Stronghold (2nd edition): The Great Shaman
- 2 players
- 45 min
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,912
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Stronghold: 2nd edition
2015
Rules assistance for Stronghold: 2nd edition
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 3.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Stronghold: 2nd edition
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Stronghold: 2nd edition is a board game released in 2015 for 2 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Ignacy Trzewiczek and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Point to Point Movement, and Area Majority / Influence.
Expansions
About the game
Stronghold is a two-player game telling the story of a siege. Players take opposing sides: one has to defend the stronghold, and the other has to break into the castle as soon as possible. The game board represents the stronghold itself as well as the surrounding terrain, where enemy forces are placed and whence they proceed to the walls. The defender has a small number of soldiers manning the walls, while the invader has an infinite legion of attacking creatures. A desperate fight takes place every single turn. The invaders build war machines, equip their soldiers, train them, and use black magic rituals to achieve victory. Meanwhile, defenders repair walls, build cannons, train soldiers, and do everything they can to hold the castle as long as possible. If the invader manages to break into the castle before the end of seven rounds, they win; otherwise the defender wins. This second edition of Stronghold features: • Ten objective cards for the invader and ten hidden defense plan cards for the defender; each objective encourages the invader to consider a particular move, while each defense plan shows the defender different ways to surprise the invader • Shorter gameplay than the first edition, with attackers being placed on the board during set-up • Gameplay limited to two players only, replacing the team rules in the first edition • Streamlined rules and an enhanced rulebook • Improved components, such as a larger game board and new artwork
Designers
Publishers
- Portal Games
- Stronghold Games
Questions and answers
Stronghold: 2nd edition supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Stronghold: 2nd edition is 90 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 Stronghold: 2nd edition 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.
Stronghold: 2nd edition has a complexity rating of 3.7 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.
Stronghold: 2nd edition belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Fighting, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Point to Point Movement, 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 Stronghold: 2nd edition are: Ignacy Trzewiczek. 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 Stronghold: 2nd edition 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.