Defenders of the Realm: The Dragon Expansion

Eagle-Gryphon Games · Board game · 2010
1–6 · best 4 Solo 90 min Weight 2.7/5
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
Buy
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Loved Defenders of the Realm and crave more challenge? This dragon-filled expansion with new mechanics is for you!

Highlights
  • New dragon generals
  • More difficulty customization
  • Fun campaign variant
  • High-quality components
Keep in mind
  • Increases complexity
  • Requires base game
  • Language dependency
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About the game

What you do in a play session

If you thought Defenders of the Realm was a walk in the park, think again! The Dragon Expansion is here to spice things up, bringing new challenges and customization options to your gaming experience. Alongside Sapphire, the original blue dragon, you'll now face three new Dragon Generals: Onyx (black), Hemlock (green), and Brimstone (red). Each brings their own nasty tricks and minions with unique abilities that will surely test your mettle. Onyx has Zealots who go berserk in combat, Hemlock unleashes Imps that multiply and steal your cards, and Brimstone summons Fire Elementals that set everything ablaze! Sapphire herself gets stronger with other dragons on the board. But that's not all: you can mix these new generals with the old ones, add Global Effect cards to tweak the difficulty (there are options for easier and harder games!), and use Royal Blessing Tokens for crucial advantages at key moments. For those who enjoy a longer, more narrative experience, the King's Champion Scoring variant turns the game into a glory competition, where the most famous hero (based on epic feats) earns a special title for their next playthrough. This expansion packs a punch with tons of new components, including awesome miniatures, new quest and deck cards, all designed to make your Defenders of the Realm experience even more epic and challenging.

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–6 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 BEST
5 REC
6 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Creatures: Dragons Game: Defenders of the Realm
Publisher Eagle-Gryphon Games
Designer Richard Launius
Artist Larry Elmore

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need the base game Defenders of the Realm to play this expansion?
Absolutely! The Dragon Expansion adds content and mechanics to the base game, so it's essential to play.
How many players does this expansion support?
It maintains the player count of the base game, which is 1 to 6 players. The cooperative experience works well across all counts.
Does the game get much harder with this expansion?
It can, but the expansion offers ways to adjust the difficulty. You can add or remove Global Effect cards and use Royal Blessing Tokens to control the challenge.
What are the main new components?
The expansion includes 3 new Dragon General miniatures, new General cards, Global Effect cards, Royal Blessing Tokens, new quests, and a modified 'Darkness Spreads' deck.
Is this expansion more combat-focused?
Yes, the new Dragon Generals and their minions bring more intense combat challenges with special abilities that require new strategies.
Is it necessary to translate the cards?
The language dependency level is moderate. For a smoother experience, it's recommended to have the cards translated or use a reference sheet.