<![CDATA[ Gamesradar+ ]]> https://www.gamesradar.com Tue, 04 Jun 2024 10:22:31 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance review: "A good mix of simplicity and low-stakes edge" ]]> If you have your eyes on Marvel Zombies: Heroes Resistance, you’re most likely part of one of two camps: a) you’re a fan of Zombicide (and/or its various sci-fi, Western, and fantasy spin-offs) or b) you’re a Marvel buff drawn in by the IP tie-in. While there is plenty here to keep both flavors of player happy, I’d argue that the former are getting a little bit of a raw deal. However, I also reckon that this is by design, and to understand why, it helps to reflect on how Marvel Zombies: Heroes Resistance even came to be.

Marvel Zombies (notice the lack of subtitle) first hit Kickstarter at the start of 2022 and was a big ol’ $130-value board game beast that  had players take up the role of zombified heroes munching their way through the poor unassuming public. However, “Hero Mode” (an expandalone offered as part of one of the project’s $240 pledge bonuses) flipped that script. Marvel Zombies: X-Men Resistance — despite being the big brother of Heroes’ Resistance — had higher component quality, allowed for more players, and had more content overall. But Heroes’ Resistance isn’t made for those who haunt their local hobby store or pledge hundreds of dollars on their favorite tabletop Kickstarter projects, it’s made for those who are ready to drop $35 at Amazon or Target.

This isn’t a bad thing of course; some of the best board games achieve their greatness by mixing complexity and accessibility. It is a delicate balance though. In this case, the spirit of Zombicide is still there but I’d say that, unlike its predecessors, this title isn’t meant for big board game nerds so much as it’s meant to convert people into *becoming* big board game nerds. Once you know for sure that’s what you’re looking for, Marvel Zombies: Heroes Resistance is a pretty great pick, especially at its price point. 

Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance - Features & Design

Mini-figures from Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance

(Image credit: Future)

When you pop the top on your fresh new copy of Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance, your eyes will probably be immediately drawn to the two rows of miniatures. These are your six playable heroes and the big bad zombie heroes that you’ll find yourself up against. From Spider-Man to zombified Scarlet Witch, each of these minis are impressively detailed and have a great sense of movement to their poses.

When it comes to bystanders and standard horde zombies though, the game swaps out its usual miniatures for cardboard standees. Thankfully, this isn’t a downgrade that majorly impacts your experience, as the cardboard is good and sturdy and the art is well-executed.

However, this form factor does slightly up the challenge of keeping them organized in the box and being able to have a specific standee quickly to hand. Until you get around to buying your own baggies (or 3D-printing some custom inserts) to sort them, all 56 of your little guys will just be a mixed-up little pile you’ll have to rifle through every time it comes to spawning. The same could be said of the various tokens included with the game: they’re practical and well-made but are a bit of a jumble in the box, adding unnecessary padding to set-up time.

Standees, cards, and dice from Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance

(Image credit: Future)

Instead of marking character stats with little cubes on a plastic dashboard like in Marvel Zombies or its full-price expansions, you note key information with plastic clips on your player cards. If you’re like me, your instinct might be to worry about pinching or tearing the player card – that’s a misplaced concern. Let’s just say that despite the game shipping with 6 clips, by the end of my first play session, I was down to 4 and ½ clips. As far as I know, my fellow players and I don’t have Hulk-like strength, they’re just really not too hard to snap, unfortunately. 

Chaotic cardboard and cruddy clips aside, there’s little to complain about when it comes to the contents of Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance. Its double-sided modular map tiles are easy to use and have plenty of little Easter Eggs as points of visual interest. Similarly, its rulebook is a treat to navigate thanks to all its illustrations and simple tables. The highly visual presentation of the rulebook is especially helpful for new players, as the vast majority of the questions you’ll have can be answered on one super condensed summary page. Though, once you get into the flow of play, you likely won’t need to reference this too often. 

Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance - Gameplay

zombie and bystander cards from Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance

(Image credit: Future)

Each of the eight missions included with Heroes’ Resistance tasks players with achieving goals like saving bystanders and capturing objectives, all while surviving waves of zombies.

The missions in the game offer decent variety, each of them with their own unique set of challenges and a (admittedly quite light) narrative hook. There’s a very light degree of randomization to each map too, as the kinds of hordes that spawn in each area are dictated by drawing from a deck of zombie types.

To combat this undead army, each hero is equipped with their own unique basic attack as well as a repertoire of Power-activated abilities that they gradually expand as they level up. There are also Heroic Trait cards, though the fact that it requires you spend one of your three actions per turn to draw one made this a gameplay that continuously fell by the wayside for me and my fellow players. We already felt more than equipped to wipe out the zombie threat, so we were focused on bringing the pain rather than trying to draw into new abilities.

Map tiles from Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance

(Image credit: Future)

Movement and Power management are the two main factors players take into account while planning their moves (friendly fire isn’t a consideration, don’t worry). However, the Target Priority rule makes a return, dictating you take on zombies in a very particular order instead of lining up your own bespoke strategy. That said, the game’s mechanics, while simple, at times can reach a frantic fever pitch as more zombies spawn in. When it all hits the fan, you’ll be glad to have your fellow heroes by your side to help.

As mentioned before, Heroes’ Resistance pares back the player count from Marvel Zombies’ original number of six, down to four. Oddly enough, there’s no way to scale combat back for less than four heroes, even when you’re playing with fewer players. Going solo? Get ready to keep track of all four heroes. Playing with two players? Double up and control two characters each. Have three players? Uhhh… I’m not too sure about that one, to be honest. Either way, the game never functions quite as well with less than a full house.

You do already have to alter the volume of zombie hordes on the map depending on your XP, so there’s definitely a practical argument to be made for eliminating the added variable of player count. Is managing multiple player characters a worthwhile trade for not having to do a little extra zombie math? I’m not entirely convinced. 

Should you buy Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance?

components from Marvel Zombies: Heroes' Resistance including an exp marker, hero sheets, and dice

(Image credit: Future)

While the age rating on the box suggests players be 14+, in my view, this is a tad conservative. As a matter of fact, the game’s relative simplicity combined with its low-stakes edge makes it perfectly primed for the 10-16-year-olds. So, if you’re the parent of a pre-teen with a slightly above-average attention span who isn’t especially squicky about passing mentions of eating brains, this could be a killer (ha) addition to their growing board game collection.

Alternatively, Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance could be a lot of fun for a more casual board game night or for those who don’t like to feel bogged down by big-box legacy board game monsters that take 10+ hours to get through.

Buy if…
✅ You want a budget-friendly version of Zombicide
You might have wanted to check out Marvel Zombies (or any other Zombicide game) but felt scared off by its price tag. Thankfully, Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance delivers the kernel of the Marvel Zombies experience at a major discount.

✅ You’re into the Marvel Universe
While this doesn’t have any obscure deep cuts from the comics, you’ll get a whole lot more out of Marvel Zombies: Zombies’ Resistance if you’re invested in the setting.

✅ You plan to play co-op
In my time with it, I found playing Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance to be pretty unsatisfying. Having you manage four heroes at once and eliminating the element of teamwork really doesn’t work in this game’s favor.

Don’t buy if…
❌ You want more focus on strategy, less on luck
The focus on dice rolls and Target Priority rule means that there isn’t a whole lot of room to plan  

❌ You want a darker apocalypse setting
Given its lack of friendly fire and its rather cartoony zombies, you might hunger for a zombie board game that plays things a little gutsier. 

How we tested Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance

This review was put together after hours of play across multiple sessions. In order to get a composite picture of all playstyles, I tested both multiplayer and solo versions of Marvel Zombies: Heroes’ Resistance. The game’s components, content, and experience were considered both in

You can find out more in our guide to how we test board games and tabletop RPGs, or the general GamesRadar+ reviews policy page.

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/marvel-zombies-heroes-resistance-review-a-good-mix-of-simplicity-and-low-stakes-edge/ JN5ZiUiMrVtPFTwbLW8wwF Tue, 04 Jun 2024 08:59:34 +0000
<![CDATA[ Looking to save $707 on Pathfinder 2e? Humble has you covered ]]> It seems like the unbelievable discounts on Pathfinder sourcebooks just don’t stop coming, thanks to the TTRPG’s continual appearance in Humble’s mega bundles. This time around though, the savings have really been kicked into overdrive.

The new limited-time ‘Pathfinder’s Finest 2e Fantasy Grounds Experience’ bundle is jam-packed with $737 worth of content for just $30. You won’t just get access to some of Pathfinder’s most essential sourcebooks and adventures though. The combo also delivers a full Standard license for Fantasy Grounds Unity, a virtual tabletop software which will help bring your time in Golarion to life.

If you have experience with using virtual tabletops (VTTs) like Roll20 or Foundry, you know that they can be a real boon for parties playing their favorite tabletop RPGs remotely or those who just like to add a little extra jazz to the tabletop without having to worry about sourcing miniatures or terrain. A VTT is also a big help for managing information like rules, campaign progression, character sheets, and stat blocks. Everything you need is all in one place – meaning you can spend time wiping out packs of Pugwampi instead of wading through PDFs.

Monstrous and humanoid beings sit around a table

(Image credit: Paizo)

Pathfinder’s Finest 2e Fantasy Grounds Experience | $737 $30 at Humble
Save $707 - It feels silly even writing a saving that massive. But no, it’s a serious discount on an equally serious heaping of content. Given that a license for Fantasy Grounds and the Pathfinder Core Rulebook alone would set you back almost $40, this is the kind of deal that’s definitely worth taking advantage of. 

Buy it if:
You like to use a VTT to play virtually or enhance in-person sessions
✅ You want a treasure trove of great Pathfinder 2e books and cool extras 

Don't buy it if:
D&D is the only fantasy tabletop RPG in your heart
❌ You have no interest in playing with a virtual tabletop

Price check:
💲Steam | $20 (Fantasy Grounds Unity only)
💲
Paizo | $19.99 (Pathfinder 2e Core Rulebook only)

UK deal:
💷 Humble | From £7.87

Pathfinder promo image showing adventurers in battle

(Image credit: Paizo)

As with all Humble bundles, you can choose between three different tiers which offer varying selections of Pathfinder goodies alongside Fantasy Grounds access. It’s worth noting that only the $30 bundle comes with a full Fantasy Grounds Unity license and the other lower tiers provide a 3-month trial instead. So, if you have plans to use Fantasy Grounds for future campaigns that may be an important factor to consider. 

Pay $10 or more to receive:
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Beginner Box
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Little Trouble in Big Absalom
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: City Sites Multi-Pack
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Classic Swamp
Pathfinder Society Intro #1: The Second Confirmation
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Arcane Library
Fantasy Grounds Ultimate 3-month trial

Pay $20 or more to receive:
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Core Rules
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Troubles in Otari
Pathfinder Adventures: Troubles in Otari
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Secrets of Magic
Pathfinder 2 RPG – GameMastery Guide
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Sundered Waves
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Lost Omens World Guide
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Lost Omens: Ancestry Guide
Pathfinder GameMastery Map Pack: Evil Ruins
Pathfinder GameMastery Map Pack: Forest Trials
Pathfinder Flip-Tiles: Darklands Starter Set
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Beginner Box
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Little Trouble in Big Absalom
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: City Sites Multi-Pack
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Classic Swamp
Pathfinder Society Intro #1: The Second Confirmation
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Arcane Library
Fantasy Grounds Ultimate 3-month trial

Pay $30 or more to receive:
Fantasy Grounds: Standard Licence (non-subscription)
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Bestiary
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Bestiary 2
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Abomination Vaults
Pathfinder Lost Omens Character Guide
Pathfinder Flip-Mat – Classic Hamlet
Pathfinder Flip-Tiles – Campsite
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Ship Wrecks
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Classic Theatre
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Night of the Gray Death
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Core Rules
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Troubles in Otari
Pathfinder Adventures: Troubles in Otari
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Secrets of Magic
Pathfinder 2 RPG – GameMastery Guide
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Sundered Waves
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Lost Omens World Guide
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Lost Omens: Ancestry Guide
Pathfinder GameMastery Map Pack: Evil Ruins
Pathfinder GameMastery Map Pack: Forest Trials
Pathfinder Flip-Tiles: Darklands Starter Set
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Beginner Box
Pathfinder 2 RPG – Little Trouble in Big Absalom
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: City Sites Multi-Pack
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Classic Swamp
Pathfinder Society Intro #1: The Second Confirmation
Pathfinder Flip-Mat: Arcane Library
Fantasy Grounds Ultimate 3-month trial

Of course, as is standard for Humble, any extra you decide to pay for your bundle of choice goes toward supporting Humble, the publishers, and a charitable cause. In this case, any additional gold pieces will contribute to Children’s Miracle Hospitals, which helps in providing medical treatment to kids across the US and Canada. How nice it is to know you can do some good while also having fun! 


If you’re still hungry for more bargains, why not check out our round-up of the best board game deals or the best lego deals?

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/looking-to-save-dollar707-on-pathfinder-2e-humble-has-you-covered/ PcwzRgXrUVnsZWyAVjfbjU Fri, 31 May 2024 17:13:08 +0000
<![CDATA[ Exclusive: D&D Dungeon Master's Guide alt cover channels every DM's inner schemer ]]> The hype for this year's new D&D rulebooks is coming to a boil, and GamesRadar+ can exclusively reveal the alternate cover for the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide.

Featuring Lolth the Spider Queen as she bundles up a hapless adventurer in webbing, this Dungeon Master's Guide alt cover celebrates the machinations of Dungeon Masters everywhere. Seeing as DMs are always pulling strings and setting traps (it's literally part of the job description in D&D), that's nothing if not fitting.

You can take a look at the alternate 2024 DMG cover below, which was made by Olena Richards and will be available this November.

Image 1 of 3

The front and back covers for the Dungeon Master's Guide alt artwork, featuring Lolth wrapping a victim in webs

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast / Olena Richards)
Image 2 of 3

The front and back covers for the Dungeon Master's Guide alt artwork, featuring Lolth wrapping a victim in webs

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast / Olena Richards)
Image 3 of 3

The front and back covers for the Dungeon Master's Guide alt artwork, featuring Lolth wrapping a victim in webs

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast / Olena Richards)

Suffice to say, it's quite a departure from the standard version (which delivers some big '80s nostalgia) revealed earlier in May. Much like the Player's Handbook alt cover which showed adventurers chilling with one of the game's redesigned golden dragons, this is distinctly more mellow. It still puts a big-name Dungeons & Dragons villain front and center, though. Lolth – a spider-legged elf deity worshiped by many drow – has been a thorn in the side of players for literal decades. Actually, she can trace her origins back to the beginning of the game; she was made by D&D co-creator Gary Gygax in the late 1970s when it was only just earning its reputation as one of the best tabletop RPGs.

Interestingly, Lolth was designed for the long-neglected setting of Greyhawk (one of D&D's earliest worlds) before transitioning over to the Forgotten Realms of Baldur's Gate 3 fame. This high fantasy universe has been making a comeback recently, and word is that it's being featured heavily throughout the new core rulebooks. That certainly makes sense; officially, Greyhawk was D&D's second and default universe at the beginning of its life, so revisiting it for the game's 50th anniversary is logical. Actually, the 50th anniversary logo appears on the back cover of this alt artwork.

Speaking of which, I'm a fan. It's thematically spot on due to the Machiavellian nature of DMs, and the golden glow to Lolth's hair contrasts beautifully with the art's muted purples. As I said about the Player's Handbook standard cover, I'd argue that it's a promising start to the game's big update.

You'll be able to add the new Dungeon Master's Guide to your collection of D&D books this November 12, 2024.


For something to play before then, why not check out the best board games or the best card games?

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/exclusive-dandd-dungeon-masters-guide-alt-cover-channels-every-dms-inner-schemer/ AsYaS6eCn8MnXs992mv2uS Thu, 30 May 2024 17:00:00 +0000
<![CDATA[ New D&D Dungeon Master’s Guide cover art delivers some big 80s nostalgia ]]> We’re now six months out from the release of the new One D&D (or D&D 5.5) DMG, and the cover for the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide has just been released.

Despite marking a refresh for Dungeons and Dragons as part of the game’s 50th anniversary celebration, the art for this revised DM sourcebook (as revealed via the Daily Mirror) is pointedly embracing the history of one of the best tabletop RPGs too. In particular, the cover art for the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide is giving some love to a selection of more unsung characters.

cover art of the back and front of the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

In a surprising twist, the folks at Wizards of the Coast have opted not to feature the most iconic villains from across the best D&D books in this new cover. No doubt they had plenty of heavy hitters to choose from – from Xanathar to Tiamat – but instead the new Dungeon Master’s Guide cover kicks it old school with Venger, the Big Bad from the 1980s Saturday morning D&D cartoon. Furthering the nostalgia, this single-horned archmage appears alongside Skylla and Warduke, two minor villains who were introduced all the way back in 1e. The front cover's villainous lineup is rounded out with an army of skeletons and a dracolich which leers behind all the action. Spooky. 

Venger from the 80s D&D cartoon

(Image credit: CBS)

The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide cover is a tad more subdued on the back, but no less steeped in an air malevolence and villainy. This was an intentional move on Wizards’ part – as Head of Art, Josh Herman explained in conversation with the Daily Mirror, "this cover is all about Villains.” Of course, given that DMs frequently take up the mantle of embodying (and rolling as) the fearsome opponents to their party, having a major focus on baddies is a choice that meshes well.

Rather than showing adventurers actively engaged in combat, the rear cover takes more of a focus on exploration. It shows a Mind Flayer temple, with a group of adventurers delving into its shadowy depths. Over this fantastically atmospheric artwork, an invitation for DMs to “weave fantastic adventures” is printed. This, despite D&D One’s current preoccupation with the Greyhawk setting, is something I choose to believe is a cheeky little pun on Mystryl’s Weave. 

While the 2024 Dungeon Master Guide cover reveal gives plenty of clues of what we can expect from its contents (as well as how pretty it’ll look on our bookshelves), we still have a good while to wait until we can get a full picture of what changes have been made. Specifically, you won’t be able to pick up the new DMG until November 12, 2024. 


Want something else to play while you wait? Check out these board games for adults or the best card games. Or, if you’re spending time with your family, give one of the best board games for families a try.

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/one-dandd-dungeon-masters-guide-cover-art-delivers-some-big-80s-nostalgia/ 3DDs29yggWMjo6yuT9FGMD Wed, 29 May 2024 12:16:41 +0000
<![CDATA[ This high-level adventure may as well be D&D Endgame, and it's just had its biggest discount ]]> The current edition of D&D is coming to an end after 10 years of adventures, and it's being seen out with an epic send-off - which just so happens to be at its lowest ever price in time for Memorial Day weekend.

If I was to compare Vecna: Eve of Ruin to anything, it'd be Avengers: Endgame. This high-level D&D quest (a rarity in itself) takes players on a whistle-stop tour through the game's most iconic settings to defeat the titular big-bad, all with the help of its best-known heroes. And despite only having just come out, it's been heavily discounted. To be precise, you can get the book for $47.99 over at Miniature Market  rather than $59.95.

Seeing as the long weekend is the perfect opportunity to dig into a good book and prep for your group's next campaign, this offer has impeccable timing.

Vecna: Eve of Ruin | $59.95 $47.99 at Miniature Market
Save $12 - I've never seen this book for less, and you'll be lucky to find it anywhere else for much below $50. It's only a few days old as well, so that's a real win.

Buy it if:
✅ You're looking for a high-level adventure
✅ You want the Avengers Endgame of D&D
✅ You've been playing for ages

Don't buy it if:
❌ You're new to D&D

Price check:
💲 Amazon | $54.09
💲 D&D Beyond | $59.95 View Deal

Should you buy Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Official, pre-written adventures that take you past level 10 are something of a rarity in modern D&D; the majority take you up to level 11 at most, leaving your adventurers below their full potential. Vecna: Eve of Ruin is different. It starts at level 10, and goes all the way to the game's cap of 20. That means it's hard as nails, so anyone looking for a good challenge will find a lot to love here. 

Is it my favorite D&D adventure? No. That honor would go to the gothic Curse of Strahd, and I'd argue (at least from what I've seen so far) that it lacks the same deep atmosphere. However, the fact that it visits D&D's best settings - including Barovia from Curse of Strahd - makes up for it. Being able to bounce between the sci-fi Spelljammer, Eberron's steampunk wasteland, and the Mad Max-style hellscape of Avernus? That's one hell of an elevator pitch. The narrative does have a killer twist too, the kind players will remember for a long time.


For more pen-and-paper recommendations, check out our guide to the best D&D books or the best tabletop RPGs.

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/this-high-level-adventure-may-as-well-be-dandd-endgame-and-its-just-had-its-biggest-discount/ Pc66cmaTwC7QxjCb5ccVN3 Fri, 24 May 2024 17:31:42 +0000
<![CDATA[ Get 20% off Dune: War for Arrakis as part of early Memorial Day sales ]]> We’re on the run up to Memorial Day weekend and this deal on Dune: War for Arrakis is something of a perfect storm. Not only will you have extra time to sink into playing a super involved board game thanks to the long weekend but Dune: Part Two was just hit streaming services. Might I recommend enjoying a movie double feature followed by diving into Dune: War for Arrakis?

Thanks to a mix of its fascinating sci-fi setting, tense political drama, and dense world-building, Dune is fertile ground for creating some of the best board games, whether that’s in the form of an RPG or wargame. As a result, Dune has had plenty of board game adaptations over the years, with gems like Dune: Imperium - Uprising among them.

While big box board games like this will always have pretty intimidating price tags, Dune: War for Arrakis has just had its price slashed by 20%, bringing it down from $139.99 to $111.99. Meaning now is a great time to add it to your basket.

Dune: War for Arrakis |  $139.99 $111.99 at Amazon
Save $28 - This is the lowest price we’ve seen Dune: War for Arrakis at, with it having dropped a further $15 from its initial discount. 

Buy it if:
You love Dune
✅ You’re a fan of strategy board games

Don't buy it if:
You like simple board games
❌ You don’t like asymmetrical gameplay

Price match:
💲Asmodee | $139.99
💲Zatu | $159.57

Should you buy Dune: War for Arrakis?

game components and map from Dune: War for Arrakis, including dice, cards, and minis

(Image credit: CMON)

Dune: War for Arrakis is from the creators of War of the Ring and from the publishers of Brass: Birmingham, the number one rated board game on BoardGameGeek. That’s quite the reputation to live up to, but it has a winning combination of engaging gameplay and gorgeously detailed miniatures that delivers on that reputation.  

This strategy board game tasks players with joining the side of House Harkonnen or House Atreides in the heated fight for control of Arrakis and its spice. Through the means of action dice and event cards, you drive your troops to take control of the planet and further the exciting storyline. Depending on the House you choose to play as, these troops can be Fremen, Fedaykin, or Sardaukar, and each type of warrior has their own distinct advantages to help deliver you to victory.

If all that sounds up your alley, you should definitely consider taking advantage of this great deal. 


Want something else to play instead? Check out these board games for adults or the best card games. Or, if you’re spending time with your family, give one of the best board games for families a try.

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/get-20-off-dune-war-for-arrakis-as-part-of-early-memorial-day-sales/ kFN6mPH3asGofVpvYASfSo Fri, 24 May 2024 16:57:51 +0000
<![CDATA[ Loads of D&D books are up to 52% off for Memorial Day - these are the ones worth buying ]]> Memorial Day sales are flying on everything from TVs to Switch games, but D&D books haven't been left behind – you can get impressive discounts on almost everything for the current edition. While those price cuts average 40% (or thereabouts), they go up to a full 52% off in some cases.

Still, not all D&D books are created equal. There are a few I'd recommend getting your hands on while they're cheap… and a handful I'd avoid. As a case in point, I'll always go to bat for Candlekeep Mysteries, currently $26.10 at Amazon (was $49.95). This collection of one-shot stories aren't just good for dropping into an existing campaign or running when your party is short on time; they're all brilliantly written as well, with some making up my favorite adventures outright due to their premise or sense of humor. (It's a similar story with another one-shot anthology, Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel, which is 52% off at Amazon right now.) By the same token, I'd highly recommend Curse of Strahd even if it wasn't $27.49 at Amazon rather than almost $50. Few adventures have such a strong atmosphere or narrative as this gothic horror, so I have no qualms about pointing you in its direction ahead of this Memorial Day.

As for newer books, the just-released Vecna: Eve of Ruin has hit what I think might be, or is at the very least a few cents away from, its lowest-ever price of $47.99 over at Miniature Market  rather than $59.95. While it's not necessarily my favorite D&D adventure, it's one of the rare few to actually focus on high-level characters and is a whistlestop tour through many of the game's best settings.

At the other end of the scale, I'd steer clear of the core rulebooks from this week's Memorial Day sale. Despite being cut in price quite drastically, they're due to be replaced within the next few months. As such, I'd make do with the free core rules while you can – otherwise you'll spend a fair chunk on something that's probably going to be outdated by the end of this year.

There are plenty of other books that are worth your attention, of course, so I've rounded up the ones I'd make a beeline for below. You can find the full sale at Amazon's D&D page here (scroll down until you hit the physical books), but in the meantime, let's dig into the specifics.

Candlekeep Mysteries | $49.95 $26.10 at Amazon
Save $23.85 - That's not far off this anthology's lowest price, and we haven't seen it for less since the end of last year. Thanks to the inclusion of multiple one-shot adventures, it's great value for money, especially with a 48% reduction.

Buy it if:
✅ You want high-quality one-shots
✅ You need a taster session
✅ You like intrigue

Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a continuous campaign

Price check:
💲 Walmart | $30.49
💲 Miniature Market | $39.99 View Deal

Curse of Strahd | $49.95 $27.49 at Amazon
Save $22.46 - We're not seeing a lowest-ever price here, but the 45% saving is still thoroughly reasonable… particularly considering how this is one of the most beloved D&D adventures ever made.

Buy it if:
✅ You want an atmospheric campaign
✅ You're looking for a good villain
✅ You love horror

Don't buy it if:
❌ You aren't a horror fan

Price check:
💲 Walmart | $30.96
💲 Target | $27.49 View Deal

Vecna: Eve of Ruin | $59.95 $47.99 at Miniature Market
Save $12 - This is easily the new book's lowest-ever price, at least that I've been able to see. Almost everywhere else it's still $50 or more, and considering how it's barely a few days old, that discount is good going.  

Buy it if:
✅ You're looking for a high-level adventure
✅ You want the Avengers Endgame of D&D
✅ You've been playing for ages

Don't buy it if:
❌ You're new to D&D

Price check:
💲 Amazon | $54.09
💲 D&D Beyond | $59.95 View Deal

 There are a few other books I'd recommend in this Memorial Day sale, but the sales aren't quite as strong so we'll blaze through them here. For starters, you can get one of the current edition's first and biggest adventure – Tyranny of Dragons, which is a solid "party must save the world from terrible evil" gambit – for a lot less at $28.75 via Amazon rather than $50. As for those at the other end of the scale, the superb beginner adventure Phandelver and Below is currently $34 at Amazon instead of $59.95. It's the stuff of classic swords and sorcery, introducing newcomers to D&D in an accessible yet compelling way. 


For other recommendations, check out our guide to the best D&D books or the best tabletop RPGs.

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/loads-of-dandd-books-are-up-to-52-off-for-memorial-day-these-are-the-ones-worth-buying/ f98ihucpBDgExBgzCh8TeN Fri, 24 May 2024 13:15:44 +0000
<![CDATA[ Save $130 on this D&D-inspired board game ahead of Memorial Day ]]> If you're looking for a board game to lose yourself in over the Memorial Day weekend, it just so happens that the D&D-inspired Bardsung has crashed in price by more than half.

You can currently get the enormous dungeon-crawler for $70 at Miniature Market instead of $199.99, which is an impressive $129.99 saving all told. Seeing as the board game promises dozens of hours of gameplay (and having been hands-on with it, I wouldn't say that's an exaggeration), you're pretty well set for the Memorial Day weekend. And because it uses mechanics directly inspired by D&D, fans of the RPG should feel right at home too. There are loads of miniatures included which you can co-opt for any tabletop roleplaying sessions you might have on the go as well.

I've not been able to find Bardsung for this price – or anything close to it – anywhere else, so you're pretty clear to grab this offer.  

Bardsung | $199.99 $70 at Miniature Market
Save $129.99 - Being able to get almost $130 off such a massive board game is a bit outrageous. And because Bardsung has only ever been a couple of cents cheaper in the past, I'd say this offer is as good as you're likely to get.

Buy it if:
You want an immersive RPG
You're looking for a long-term campaign

Don't buy it if:
You don't have lots of free time

Price check:
💲 Amazon | $119.95
💲 Steamforged | $199.99 View Deal

Should you buy Bardsung?

If Bardsung feels reminiscent of Gloomhaven (arguably one of the best board games on shelves at the moment), that's because they both see you spelunking through dungeons and building up your characters across a long-term story. However, unlike that one, it uses rules based on Dungeons & Dragons and is awash with miniatures. These mechanics are really easy to get into, and of all the RPG board games I've tried, Bardsung was probably the most accessible. It's got quests written by the prolific and very talented Rhianna Pratchett as well, which for nerds like me is an immediate selling point.

Bardsung box and contents laid out on a wooden table

(Image credit: Steamforged Games)

All this is made by Steamforged, a studio behind numerous video game-inspired board games and miniature-based modules for use with the best tabletop RPGs, and you can tell. Bardsung and its components are of an incredibly high quality, and I've seen colleagues buy it purely for those models. The enormous demon, for example? Chef's kiss.

Want to boost the experience? You can get a couple of expansions for Bardsung. I've not tried them myself, but those warforged miniatures in The Lost Levels? Gorgeous.

Basically, I'm a big fan of Bardsung from what I've seen so far - and would highly recommend giving it a go as a result, particular with such a big discount. 


Want a few more recommendations? Don't miss our guide to the top board games for adults. You can also save a little cash along the way with this roundup of the latest board game deals.

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/save-dollar130-on-this-dandd-inspired-board-game-ahead-of-memorial-day/ 3SZUNM8zbbHjzspxR5gnyW Thu, 23 May 2024 12:06:34 +0000
<![CDATA[ MTG Modern Horizons 3 pre-orders are already $100 off – that’s 36 Play Boosters for $7 each ]]> Modern Horizons 3 is the next set coming to Magic the Gathering and as with any release, players will be looking to get the best price they can on one of the best card games.

As this set doesn’t have a budget-friendly Starter Kit, there isn’t an especially low-cost option for those keen to add Modern Horizons 3 cards to their collection. Sure, if you’re keen to save money you could wait a few months for a sale… or you could just take advantage of the great pre-order discounts of $100 available right now at Amazon.

Whether you’re looking for one of the pre-con Commander decks or are hoping to add a big box of boosters to your basket, you can get them for less thanks to these deals. Modern Horizons 3's Commander precons are available for as little as $53.90(MSRP of $70), Collector Booster Boxes are down from $504 to $374.99, and Play Booster Boxes are $119 off.

MTG Modern Horizons 3 Bundle | $94.50 $68.95 on Amazon
Save $25 - This is a seriously impressive discount on a product that was already pretty good value. For less than $70, you can get 9 Play Boosters, 30 land cards, a life counter, a D20 with the MH3 set logo on it, and a storage box to pop everything away in. 

Buy it if:
You’d like a wide variety of Modern Horizons 3 cards
✅ A full Play Booster box is too much for you

Don't buy it if:
You want far more than 9 Play Boosters
❌ You don’t care for the land cards, life counter, or dice

MTG Modern Horizons 3 Commander Deck Bundle | $280.00 $219.99 on Amazon
Save $61 - Given that the Eldrazi Incursion deck in this package is currently so popular that it's difficult to pre-order for anything below $100, it’s actually far better value to opt for the four Commander deck bundle. That’s especially true at this reduced price. 

Buy it if:
You need multiple Commander decks for you and your friends
✅ You have your eye on the Eldrazi deck but can’t find it for a decent price

Don't buy it if:
You’re only interested in one Commander deck and it’s not Eldrazi Incursion
❌ You don’t play Commander

Should you buy Modern Horizons 3?

Modern Horizons 3 key art showing a woman and a hydra creature

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

If you haven’t already, you’ll want to catch up with full details on the MTG Modern Horizons 3 set. The long and short of it is Modern Horizons 3 will have a whole lot to offer in terms of returning and refreshed mechanics and cards. As a matter of fact, it will feature a total of 40 different keyword abilities, actions, and mechanics. So, the set should have a little something that’ll draw in everyone. 

That said, MTG Modern Horizons 3 (as the name suggests) will be especially suited to Magic players who frequently play the game in Modern format. Though even if you’re more of a casual fan of Magic: The Gathering, the Commander decks are a great option too.

If nothing in the Modern Horizons 3 set grabs your attention, it could be worth holding out for the MTG Assassin’s Creed crossover or waiting until the super cute Bloomburrow set drops later in the summer. 


If you’re on the lookout for your next tabletop favorite, why not update your collection with one of the best board games. Alternatively, if TTRPGs are more to your tastes, give one of the best tabletop RPGs a try. 

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/mtg-modern-horizons-3-pre-orders-are-already-dollar100-off-thats-36-play-boosters-for-dollar7-each/ 8cqP3aL7zxKvYhwrQ5tKmS Wed, 22 May 2024 14:32:02 +0000
<![CDATA[ Everything you should know about MTG Modern Horizons 3 ]]> We’ve had a year jam-packed with Magic: The Gathering releases so far and MTG Modern Horizons is the next to join the lineup. You might remember the first Modern Horizons set back in 2019 or Modern Horizons 2 from 2021, but either way you’ll still benefit from a full rundown of what’s in this brand new straight-to-modern set. 

Part of what keeps MTG one of the best card games is its strong competitive scene and the balancing of its formats is a vital element of that. Straight-to-Modern sets like Modern Horizons 3 are created with the aim of introducing powerful, versatile cards to Modern without disrupting the Standard metagame. 

Previews have just begun and we’ve already seen plenty of exciting new additions and valuable reprints that are set to be included in the release. So, now is the perfect time to roundup everything we know about MTG Modern Horizons 3 including its release date, products, new mechanics, and more.

MTG Modern Horizons 3 release date

MTG Modern Horizons 3

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

Debut and previews begin: May 21
Card image gallery and previews complete: May 31
MTG Arena launch: June 11
Global tabletop launch: June 14


Debuts and previews for MTG Modern Horizons have already started and will continue until the end of May. Two weeks after previews complete, we’ll see the full release of the Modern Horizons 3 set including the Modern Horizons 3 Commander decks. 

MTG Modern Horizons 3 products

  • Commander decks 
  • Collector boosters
  • Play boosters

While Modern Horizons 3 is a primarily booster-focused product line, it does have a set of Commander decks releasing alongside it. As usual, you can pick up cards from this set in Collector Boosters or Play Boosters, both of which are available as singular packs or as part of a box or bundle. 

Commander Decks

Despite the Modern Horizons name, these Commander decks are not Modern-legal. Like the Commander decks that have been released alongside Standard-legal sets, these pre-cons are meant to be played and enjoyed in the ever-popular casual format of Commander. 

As with most Commander releases, Modern Horizons 3 has four pre-con decks available to purchase. However, you can also pick up Collector’s Editions of each one too. These Collector’s Editions have a special Ripple Foil treatment on all 100 cards and each deck has a Borderless Profile of two Legendary Creature cards. Not to mention, they also have really, really pretty box art. 

Collector Boosters

If you’re on the hunt for shiny foils and special alternate arts, Collector Boosters are for you. Each Collector Booster has 15 cards in it with 10-12 Traditional Foils as well as a chance to draw an Etched Foil, Textured Foil, or even a serialized card. Collector Boosters can be picked up as a single or as part of a box of 12 (180 cards total).

Play Boosters

Play Boosters are primed for use in Draft. Each Play Booster contains 14 cards, 1-5 of which are of Rare or higher rarity and 1-2 of which are Traditional Foil cards. Play Boosters come in single packs, boxes of 36 Boosters (504 total cards), or in bundles. 

MTG Modern Horizons 3 story

MTG Modern Horizons 3

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

We haven’t yet received full confirmation of Modern Horizons 3’s place within the Magic Story, if any. However, the return of the Eldrazi titans Emrakul, Ulamog and Kozilek does imply some continuation from the Zendikar storylines. Although whether or not their return in Modern Horizons 3 has larger canonical implications is yet to be seen. 

MTG Modern Horizons 3 mechanics

All in all, there are 40 returning mechanics coming to the Modern Horizons 3 set. Depending on your history with the game, these will probably elicit reactions ranging from “nice, they’re finally bringing that back” to “wait, what does that one even do?” Thankfully, cards in the set will likely have helpful reminder text to

If you’re keen to do a bit of research in advance though, the other abilities and actions included in Modern Horizons 3 are: Adapt, Annihilator, Affinity, Afterlife, Ascend, Bestow, Collect Evidence, Connive, Cycling, Devoid, Devotion, Dredge, Emerge, Energy, Entwine, Escalate, Eternalize, Evoke, Evolve, Extort, Fabricate, Flashback, Kicker, Kindred, Living Weapon, Madness, Mentor, Modified, Morbid, Outlast, Overload, Proliferate, Prototype, Flashback, Reconfigure, Reinforce, Shield Counters, Spelunking, Storm, Support, Umbra Armor, and Unearth.

MTG Modern Horizons 3 spoilers

We’ll see plenty of developments in MTG Modern Horizons 3 spoilers, particularly this month while we’re receiving a continuous influx of preview cards. For now, these are all the cards we’ve gotten a look at. 

Modern Horizons 3 Commander spoilers

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MTG MH3 commander face card

(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
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MTG MH3 commander face card

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MTG MH3 commander face card

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MTG MH3 commander face card

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 card spoilers

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MTG MH3 double faced planeswalkers

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MTG MH3 double faced planeswalkers

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MTG MH3 double faced planeswalkers

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MTG MH3 double faced planeswalkers

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MTG Modern Horizons 3 deals

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https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/everything-we-know-about-mtg-modern-horizons-3/ 94XGYdipQYEjLGmq3iwQAN Tue, 21 May 2024 18:45:28 +0000