Runebound
Runebound is a classic adventure game from Fantasy Flight Games in which mighty heroes must take on the perils of Terrinoth. The game can be largely played without conflict between the players but victory can only be claimed by the first player to defeat the Dragonlord Margath, so the players are actually in a race to level up and acquire powerful weapons, armour and allies in order to take on the final adversary.
Runebound features a series of 4 Adventure Decks that helps to pace the speed of the game and ensures that the players level up by acquiring experience before they are ready to take on a harder set of challenges (events and monsters).
Several of the key features of Runebound are that combat is played out in 3 phases, Ranged, Melee and Magic and a player has the ability to specialise in a particular discipline, although this may make them vulnerable against certain creatures. The game also features a novel movement system using a series of terrain dice.
Runebound is playable solo and is expandable by many adventure packs that alter the final challenge (replacing the Dragonlord for example). Runebound 2nd Edition also has a series of big box expansions that provide a new map or central map overlay to alter the game in some way.
Runebound 2nd Edition is different from 1st Edition in that the original game featured a d20 and this was replaced by 2 10-sided dice, which helped to better balance the luck factor.
The Island of Dread
Explore the uncharted islands of the world of Runebound and piece together the lost map to the fabled Island of Dread! By sea or land adventure awaits all brave heroes, whether they swing swords or cast spells.
This is the first full-size expansion for the Runebound fantasy adventure board game. Island of Dread features a gorgeous new board overlay that creates a completely new game environment. The expansion set also features 110 new cards, including new characters, encounters, challenges, events and equipment.
The expansion also presents new rules for ships that characters can hire to transport them among the scattered islands of the dangerous seas in their quest to find the Island of Dread and win the game. Not all ships are created equal, however, and you get what you pay for: The Vulgar Princess and her crew might come cheap, but they might also seize all your loot and dump you overboard."
Runebound: Island of Dread is the first Big Box Expansion for Runebound (Second Edition). It replaces some elements of the original game - including the map and playable characters - to provide a new and different gaming experience.
You must own the Runebound basic game to play this expansion.
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/21523/runebound-second-edition
boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/13081/runebound-island-dread
