Defenders of the Wild

Outlandish Games, Alis Games, Broadway Toys LTD · Board game · 2024
8.2 Ludopedia 7.1 BGG 1–4 · best 2 Solo 60–120 min Weight 3.1/5
Buy · from US$ 19.65
8.2 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

For fans of thematic co-ops with dynamic boards and tactical depth. A magical-animal David vs. industrial Goliath!

Highlights
  • Epic, immersive narrative
  • Unique mechanic blend
  • High replay value
  • Well-balanced asymmetry
Keep in mind
  • Complex for newcomers
  • Playtime can run long
  • Requires translation (English)
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

In *Defenders of the Wild*, you lead the animal resistance against a machine invasion turning the forest into polluting factories. Players cooperate to sabotage the construction of an industrial core, using strategic actions like clearing pollution, breaching walls, and recruiting allies. Each faction has unique abilities (Council, Order, Sect, Coven) and you assemble an animal defender team with cards enabling attacks, healing, and camp building. The modular board and machine deck ensure each game plays differently, with enemies advancing unpredictably. Victory requires coordination: everyone must build their camps and infiltrate the core before machines complete construction or kill two defenders from the same habitat. Will ancient magic and animal guerrilla tactics be enough against tanks and pollution?

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 REC
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Hexagonal Tiles Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Theme: Anthropomorphic Animals Theme: Environmental Protection / Degradation / Pollution
Publisher Outlandish Games, Alis Games, Broadway Toys LTD, GaGa Games, Geekach LLC, HIT Games, Matagot, MS Edizioni, TLAMA games
Designer Henry Audubon, T.L. Simons
Artist Meg Lemieur, T.L. Simons

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,876owners
2,387wishlist
180want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Is it playable solo?
Yes! Well-designed solo mode where you control multiple defenders.
Recommended age?
14+ due to complexity, but some teens handle it fine.
Table space needed?
Modular board requires a large table, especially at 4 players.
Language dependence?
English only, but fan-made translations exist.
Similar to which games?
Blends Spirit Island with Root, but stands on its own.
Component count?
150+ cards (defenders, machines, events), plus tiles and tokens.

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