- BGG rank
- BGG #3,630
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Return of the Heroes
- 1–4 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2003
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,031
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Under the Shadow of the Dragon
2004
Rules assistance for Under the Shadow of the Dragon
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.4/5
Rules assistant for Under the Shadow of the Dragon
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Under the Shadow of the Dragon is a board game released in 2004 for 2 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Lutz Stepponat and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Role Playing.
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About the game
This game reuses the theme & mechanics of Return of the Heroes, and can be played either as a standalone 2-player game or combined with the original set for a 5-6 player game. This time, the heroes must find one of three magic weapons that will allow them to defeat an evil dragon. If combined with the base game, a hero can win by defeating either the dragon or the Nameless. Other games in the series: Return of the Heroes Helden in der Unterwelt
Designers
Publishers
- Pegasus Spiele
Questions and answers
Under the Shadow of the Dragon 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 Under the Shadow of the Dragon 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 Under the Shadow of the Dragon 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.
Under the Shadow of the Dragon has a complexity rating of 2.4 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.
Under the Shadow of the Dragon belongs to these categories: Fantasy and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Role Playing. 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 Under the Shadow of the Dragon are: Lutz Stepponat. 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 Under the Shadow of the Dragon 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.