Dwarf Mine

Paper Dice Games · Board game · 2020
1 Solo 20–60 min
rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you love building dangerous, treasure‑filled mines solo, Dwarf Mine delivers with style.

Highlights
  • Free room construction
  • Epic enemy variety
  • High replay value
Keep in mind
  • Steep rule learning curve
  • Paper‑and‑pencil reliance
  • Limited components to print
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Dwarf Mine puts you in the shoes of a dwarf master tasked with digging, designing, and mapping a mine beneath a mountain. The game unfolds in three distinct phases each turn. First, you draw hallways, ladders, and rooms, choosing where to tunnel and how deep to go. Every room grants a benefit: Barracks boost your attack die, Gem Cutting rooms turn gems into prestige or gold, Tombs award points for every ten fallen dwarves buried, and Trap rooms let you capture an enemy, bypassing combat. Next, you roll for Treasure and Combat. The dice decide what kind of riches (gold, mithril, gems, ore) appear and which creatures assault your work. Enemies include Root Walkers, who summon more of their kind when threatened; Stone Folk, whose bodies are so hard even dwarf‑forged hammers struggle to damage; goblins whose danger spikes when their king arrives, plus epic threats like Cave Wurms that can destroy sections of the mountain and Dragons that slowly take over the mine. In the Persistent Turn, lingering enemies around the mine can use special abilities, and you may attack as many times as you wish. The ultimate goal isn’t endless survival – the mine will inevitably collapse – but to amass as much prestige as possible, which determines your final score. Each play creates a unique story, with different room layouts, treasures, and foes, ensuring no two games feel the same. The package includes full rules, combat and treasure tables, a mountain map, and several expansions: Mountain Creation (build varied mountains), More than a Dragon (new enemies), Bloodlines (special abilities for the dwarf leader) and More Rooms (additional room types). It also provides dwarf and room name generators and an achievement list for completionists. All components are provided as Print & Play files, ready to print and start digging.

Best player count

BGG community vote

Solo · 1 player
1 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Polyhedral (not D6) dice Creatures: Dwarves & Gnomes Players: Solitaire Only Games Theme: Mining
Publisher Paper Dice Games
Designer James Hron
Artist Emily Fairchild

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

50owners
38wishlist
1want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How many players can play?
It is a solo game designed for a single player.
How long does a game take?
Typically 20–60 minutes, depending on how deep you dig.
What is the rule complexity?
Medium‑high – there are several tables and phases, but the turn flow becomes clear after the first play.
Do I need physical components?
All components are Print & Play; just print the sheets, use polyhedral dice, and a pen for notes.
Who is this game for?
Solo gamers, fantasy mining fans, and anyone who enjoys a new story every time they play.

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