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Gears of War: The Board Game
Fantasy Flight Games · 2011
1–460–180 min13+ yrs2.9/5 complexity7.5 BGG#784 BGG8,2 KCo-opCouples
⚡ short answer
How do you play Gears of War: The Board Game?
The primary objective is cooperative: players must work together to complete a series of missions. Each mission is represented by a mission card, which outlines special rules, setup conditions, and a 'Flip When' condition. Fulfilling this condition advances the mission to the next stage, often leading to new objectives or map configurations. The ultimate goal is to reach and complete the final mission card, which declares the players victorious.
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01
Setup
Set up the game board, character cards, order cards, AI cards, and mission cards according to the game's instructions.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up 'Gears of War: The Board Game,' arrange the map tiles as indicated by the chosen mission. Each player selects a COG character and places their figure on the starting area. Distribute initial weapon cards and order cards to each player. Prepare the Locust AI deck, mission deck, and various tokens (ammo, wound, lock) according to the mission's specific instructions. Ensure all components are within reach for all players.
Objective
The primary objective is cooperative: players must work together to complete a series of missions. Each mission is represented by a mission card, which outlines special rules, setup conditions, and a 'Flip When' condition. Fulfilling this condition advances the mission to the next stage, often leading to new objectives or map configurations. The ultimate goal is to reach and complete the final mission card, which declares the players victorious.
On your turn
A player's turn begins with a 'Heal' phase, where they draw up to two order cards, not exceeding their maximum hand size (typically six). Next, the player performs one mandatory 'Primary Action' by discarding an order card. This can be moving up to two areas, performing an attack, or resolving the actions listed on the discarded order card. Optionally, players can perform 'Special Actions' (reviving a teammate, picking up weapons/ammo, or activating equipment) once per turn, before or after their primary action, by discarding an additional order card. After the player's actions, the 'Locust Activation Stage' occurs: the active player draws Locust AI cards and resolves their effects, which dictate enemy movement, attacks, and spawning. Play then passes to the next COG player.
Scoring
There is no individual or team scoring in 'Gears of War: The Board Game' as it is a fully cooperative experience. Success is determined solely by achieving the mission objectives. Players either collectively win the game by completing the final mission card or collectively lose if all COG characters are in the 'Bleeding Out' state simultaneously. The focus is on strategic teamwork and survival rather than accumulating points.
Game end
The game concludes in one of two ways. Players achieve victory by successfully completing the 'Flip When' condition on the final mission card, which typically leads to a narrative conclusion stating 'You Win The Game.' Conversely, players suffer defeat if, at any point, all active COG characters enter the 'Bleeding Out' (DBNO) state. A character enters DBNO when they are forced to discard an order card but have none left in their hand. While DBNO, characters are severely limited in actions and cannot be attacked by Locust, but they still trigger Locust activations. If all COG characters are DBNO, the game is lost.
Tips
Effective strategy in 'Gears of War: The Board Game' involves careful management of your order cards, as they serve as both your actions and your health. Prioritize healing when necessary, but don't be afraid to discard cards for powerful actions. Utilize cover to gain defensive bonuses and strategically position your COG characters to maximize line of sight for attacks while minimizing exposure. Pay close attention to Locust AI cards to anticipate enemy movements and spawns. Given the game's high difficulty, especially with more players, consider implementing house rules such as limiting the number of AI cards drawn per turn or modifying ammo drops to create a more balanced and enjoyable experience. Online forums like BoardGameGeek can provide additional house rules and strategic insights.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity2.9 / 5
BGG rating7.5 / 10
Vibe
Co-opCouples
Language dependence
Moderate text — a crib sheet helps
Play time
60–180 min
Players
1–4
Recommended age
13+ yrs
BGG rank
#784
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective is cooperative: players must work together to complete a series of missions. Each mission is represented by a mission card, which outlines special rules, setup conditions, and a 'Flip When' condition. Fulfilling this condition advances the mission to the next stage, often leading to new objectives or map configurations. The ultimate goal is to reach and complete the final mission card, which declares the players victorious.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up 'Gears of War: The Board Game,' arrange the map tiles as indicated by the chosen mission. Each player selects a COG character and places their figure on the starting area. Distribute initial weapon cards and order cards to each player. Prepare the Locust AI deck, mission deck, and various tokens (ammo, wound, lock) according to the mission's specific instructions. Ensure all components are within reach for all players.
Q3How does a turn work?
A player's turn begins with a 'Heal' phase, where they draw up to two order cards, not exceeding their maximum hand size (typically six). Next, the player performs one mandatory 'Primary Action' by discarding an order card. This can be moving up to two areas, performing an attack, or resolving the actions listed on the discarded order card. Optionally, players can perform 'Special Actions' (reviving a teammate, picking up weapons/ammo, or activating equipment) once per turn, before or after their primary action, by discarding an additional order card. After the player's actions, the 'Locust Activation Stage' occurs: the active player draws Locust AI cards and resolves their effects, which dictate enemy movement, attacks, and spawning. Play then passes to the next COG player.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
There is no individual or team scoring in 'Gears of War: The Board Game' as it is a fully cooperative experience. Success is determined solely by achieving the mission objectives. Players either collectively win the game by completing the final mission card or collectively lose if all COG characters are in the 'Bleeding Out' state simultaneously. The focus is on strategic teamwork and survival rather than accumulating points.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes in one of two ways. Players achieve victory by successfully completing the 'Flip When' condition on the final mission card, which typically leads to a narrative conclusion stating 'You Win The Game.' Conversely, players suffer defeat if, at any point, all active COG characters enter the 'Bleeding Out' (DBNO) state. A character enters DBNO when they are forced to discard an order card but have none left in their hand. While DBNO, characters are severely limited in actions and cannot be attacked by Locust, but they still trigger Locust activations. If all COG characters are DBNO, the game is lost.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
Effective strategy in 'Gears of War: The Board Game' involves careful management of your order cards, as they serve as both your actions and your health. Prioritize healing when necessary, but don't be afraid to discard cards for powerful actions. Utilize cover to gain defensive bonuses and strategically position your COG characters to maximize line of sight for attacks while minimizing exposure. Pay close attention to Locust AI cards to anticipate enemy movements and spawns. Given the game's high difficulty, especially with more players, consider implementing house rules such as limiting the number of AI cards drawn per turn or modifying ammo drops to create a more balanced and enjoyable experience. Online forums like BoardGameGeek can provide additional house rules and strategic insights.
Q7How much does Gears of War: The Board Game cost?
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Q8Where can I buy Gears of War: The Board Game cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play Gears of War: The Board Game?
Gears of War: The Board Game is a fighting game, for 1–4 players, taking ~60–180 minutes, featuring area movement. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Gears of War: The Board Game — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Gears of War: The Board Game support?
Gears of War: The Board Game is played by 1–4 players.
Mechanics & categories