Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Perfect for those who love Eurogames with resource management and a touch of Tetris. The cascade system is brilliant and satisfying!
Highlights
- Innovative cascading production system
- High-quality wooden components
- Well-integrated polyomino puzzle
- Very charismatic Troll theme
Keep in mind
- Moderate language dependency
- Learning curve for beginners
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready to get your hands dirty! In In the Hall of the Mountain King, you play as a Troll determined to rebuild your ancient and glorious underground kingdom. The goal is straightforward yet challenging: dig tunnels, recover riches, and, most importantly, return the statues of your ancestors to the heart of the mountain. But you aren't alone; other Trolls are also eyeing the crown, and the competition for space on the map is fierce.
The standout feature here is the 'cascading production' system. You start with a few Trolls, and each produces specific resources (such as gold, iron, marble, and runes). The magic happens when you hire new Trolls and position them in a pyramid shape. Activating the Troll at the top triggers a chain reaction that activates the Trolls beneath them, generating an avalanche of resources. The larger your pyramid grows, the more powerful your economy becomes, but be careful: timing is everything. Focus too much on hiring, and you might miss your building window; focus only on construction, and you'll run out of materials.
On the board, you'll use polyomino tiles to expand your tunnel network. Your goal is to connect your entrance to mineral deposits, workshops for transforming resources, and, of course, the fallen statues. To move these statues to the pedestals of honor at the mountain's core, you'll need carts and precise route planning. Victory is decided by Honor points, earned through the quality of your tunnels, the grandeur of the excavated halls, and the final position of the statues. The player who best balances hand management, territorial expansion, and cascading production will be crowned the Mountain King!
The standout feature here is the 'cascading production' system. You start with a few Trolls, and each produces specific resources (such as gold, iron, marble, and runes). The magic happens when you hire new Trolls and position them in a pyramid shape. Activating the Troll at the top triggers a chain reaction that activates the Trolls beneath them, generating an avalanche of resources. The larger your pyramid grows, the more powerful your economy becomes, but be careful: timing is everything. Focus too much on hiring, and you might miss your building window; focus only on construction, and you'll run out of materials.
On the board, you'll use polyomino tiles to expand your tunnel network. Your goal is to connect your entrance to mineral deposits, workshops for transforming resources, and, of course, the fallen statues. To move these statues to the pedestals of honor at the mountain's core, you'll need carts and precise route planning. Victory is decided by Honor points, earned through the quality of your tunnels, the grandeur of the excavated halls, and the final position of the statues. The player who best balances hand management, territorial expansion, and cascading production will be crowned the Mountain King!
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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Game in a Nutshell - In the Hall of the Mountain King (how to play)
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In the Hall of the Mountain King Tutorial & Playthrough
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One Minute Overview of In the Hall of the Mountain King
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Show Me How to Win In the Hall of the Mountain King
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Fan-made solo mode: The Two-Headed Troll: tutorial & playthrough
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In the Hall of the Mountain King - Intro/Gameplay/Review by BnB
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In the Hall of the Mountain King Game Setup
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
BEST
4
BEST
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Burnt Island Games, Galakta, Gen-X Games (GenX), IELLO, リゴレ (rigoler), Skellig Games
Designer
Graeme Jahns, Jay Cormier
Artist
Josh Cappel, Kwanchai Moriya
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
9,030owners
1,730wishlist
228want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game very complex?
It's considered an 'Expert' game. The cascading production rules require focus, but once you get the hang of it, the flow is very smooth.
Do I need a translation to play?
Yes, there is a moderate language dependency on cards and references, so a translation sheet is recommended.
What is the average play time?
A game lasts about 90 minutes, depending on player experience and the number of people at the table.
Does it work well with 2 players?
Yes, the game supports 2 to 5 players, maintaining competitiveness even in smaller games.
How is the component quality?
The game is highly praised for its components, including wooden pieces and internal organizing trays.
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