In the Hall of the Mountain King

To set up the game, each player receives a player board, a set of matching colored cards, and a player token. Pedestal points are randomly placed on the board, followed by matching colored pedestals placed according to a specific pattern. Workshops and great halls are then set up on designated areas of the board. The spell cards are shuffled, and three are placed face-up, with the remaining cards forming a draw deck. Troll cards are arranged in a pyramid formation, with pedestal reminders placed on top of them. Players draw tokens to determine the play order and choose their starting positions on the board. Finally, players collect starting resources based on the troll cards they have chosen, with the first player not receiving any extra resources.

The main objective of 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' is to rebuild the Mountain King's magnificent hall. Players achieve this by strategically digging tunnels, carving out grand great halls, and raising impressive statues throughout the mountain. These actions, along with completing specific objectives outlined on their troll cards, earn players victory points. Additional bonus points are awarded for successfully connecting their tunnels to the central chamber of the Mountain King's hall, encouraging players to expand their network efficiently.

During a player's turn, they perform actions by playing a troll card from their hand. Each troll card allows players to perform specific actions such as digging tunnels, carving great halls, or raising statues. After performing the actions indicated on the played card, the player draws new troll cards to replenish their hand, preparing for subsequent turns. The strategic choice of which troll card to play is crucial for maximizing efficiency and achieving personal and shared objectives.

Victory points are accumulated throughout the game and at its conclusion. Players earn points for each tunnel segment they dig, for every great hall they carve, and for each statue they successfully raise. Significant bonus points are awarded for completing the objectives listed on their individual troll cards. Furthermore, connecting tunnels to the Mountain King's central chamber provides additional victory points, emphasizing the importance of strategic tunnel placement and expansion.

The game concludes when a player successfully places all of their pedestals on the board. This action triggers the final round of play, ensuring that all players have an equal number of turns. Once the final round is completed, all victory points are tallied from tunnels, great halls, statues, and completed troll card objectives. The player with the highest total victory points is then declared the winner and the new architect of the Mountain King's hall.