Stronghold
A lopsided siege duel: a few defenders hold the walls while an endless horde builds engines to smash them.
Who it's for
You and a partner who enjoy deep, asymmetric duels and don't mind learning a heavier rule set. Great for two players with an evening to spend.
Not for you if…
You want something quick or flexible for larger groups. Two players is the sweet spot, and the rules take a real learning session.
Vibe's take
Dense, tense and deeply asymmetric. The defender feels perpetually under pressure while the attacker feels like a clock is ticking, and each side has to plan carefully to avoid wasting points.
About this game
A siege where two players have totally different jobs. One defends a stronghold with a small group of soldiers, the other commands an endless attacking force that builds war machines, trains troops and dabbles in black magic to break in. The defender scores victory points for every turn the walls hold, so the attacker is racing the clock. Every action costs points from a limited pool, which makes each turn a puzzle about what to spend and what to sacrifice. It is a long, asymmetric duel with a lot of rules to chew through, but the tug-of-war between desperate defenders and a ruthless invader is memorable.
Get it
Mechanics
By the numbers
Players
Duration
120 min
Ages 14+
Complexity
3.7 / 5 — HeavyBGG Rating
6.4/10
Rank #1,501
3.5k ratings
Published
2009
Designed by
Ignacy Trzewiczek
Published by
IELLO, Portal Games, Phalanx Games B.V., Valley Games, Inc.
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