Get ready to serve the new master! In How to Raise an Elite Demon Lord, you aren't the main villain, but rather one of the high-ranking officers in the Demon Lord's army. The goal is clear: prove you are the most loyal and efficient subordinate to secure maximum recognition when the master returns. But watch out, because the competition among officers is fierce, and everyone wants that same prestige!

The game unfolds over three semesters of intensive training. To win, you'll need to build and refine your deck, recruit competent subordinates, and complete specific tasks to strengthen the Demon Lord's four main attributes. Each player has asymmetric abilities, meaning your growth strategy will be unique from the start. You'll need to manage your hand of cards carefully, using them to perform actions or advance along personal reward tracks.

A very cool strategic detail is the 'esting' mechanic. When you rest to refresh your deck, you also advance the shared Holiday Track. This is crucial, as the timing of the holidays dictates when the market updates and when contribution scoring takes place. Additionally, you must expand through the Demon Lord's castle, occupying strategic spaces to secure resources, routes, and area bonuses. It's a medium-weight Euro-style strategy game that perfectly blends engine building with area control and technological progression. If you enjoy seeing your character evolve from a simple officer to an indispensable right-hand man while battling for board presence, this is the game for you!