Back

How to Play

BattleLore: Second Edition

2-2 players 45-90 min 7.7 Board Game Geek Rating

BattleLore Second Edition is a two-player fantasy warfare game set in Terrinoth. Players command armies of the Daqan Lords or demon-worshipping Uthuk Y'llan in squad-based tactical combat. Strategic troop movement and magical lore powers drive the gameplay. Victory comes through capturing battlefield objectives and destroying enemy units across customizable maps and scenarios.

Published 2013

BattleLore: Second Edition

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Place terrain tiles
Position Turret, Wall, Stairs, and Gate hexes according to the scenario setup
2
Set gate HP counters
Each gate must suffer 5 damages before being destroyed (amount may vary by scenario)
3
Determine Lord of the Castle
The player with more units inside the castle is considered the Lord of the Castle
4
Set initial gate states
Gates begin either open or closed as specified by the scenario

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Access Turrets
Only enter Turret hexes from adjacent Stairs, Turrets, or Wall hexes
2
Access Walls
Only enter Wall hexes from adjacent Turrets or Wall hexes
3
Use Stairs
Move between ground level and Turrets via Stairs hexes
4
Open or close gates
The Lord of the Castle may order any gate to open or close at the start of their turn
5
Attack through closed gates
The Enemy Army must chop through gates with "strike" rolls only (archers cannot be used)
6
Move through open gates
Elevated movement is possible across the top of open gates
7
Attack from elevated positions
Ranged units on Turrets or Walls ignore all units when tracing line of sight
8
Melee attack from Stairs
Units attacking Turrets from Stairs battle with -1 die
9
Melee restriction from ground
Non-flying or massive units cannot melee attack enemy units on Turrets or Walls unless attacking from Turrets, Walls, Stairs, or Siege Towers
10
Apply Immovable status
Infantry units are Immovable 2 inside Turrets and Immovable 1 inside Walls
11
Process forced retreats
Units retreating from Turrets or Walls suffer 1 hit and fall unless supported or angle allows retreat along a Wall, Stair, or Turret hex

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Block line of sight
Turrets, Walls, and Closed Gates block line of sight (marked YES); Stairs, Open Gates, and Destroyed Gates do not block (marked NO)
2
Destroy gates for access
Successfully deal 5 damage to a gate to destroy it and gain entry
3
Control castle access
Destroyed gates cannot be ordered to open or close by the Lord of the Castle
4
Follow scenario victory conditions
Complete objectives as specified by the individual scenario rules

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

How To Setup And Play BattleLore: Second Edition

How To Setup And Play BattleLore: Second Edition

Instructional

Battle Report: BattleLore 2nd Edition Part 1

Battle Report: BattleLore 2nd Edition Part 1

Session

MORE VIDEOS

FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

PDF RULEBOOK

Play Board Games Online

Explore breakout hits and fan favourites with no downloads, setup or paywalls. Just click and play.

Play Now

more GAMES LIKE THIS

Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven

Middara: Unintentional Malum – Act 1

Middara: Unintentional Malum – Act 1

Commands & Colors: Napoleonics

Commands & Colors: Napoleonics

Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death

Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death