# Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2024
- **BGG Rating**: 8.6
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 40-0 min
- **Weight**: 2.86 / 5
- **Designers**: Luís Brueh
- **Artists**: Luís Brueh
- **Publishers**: Brueh Games Inc., Dice&Bones, Mirakulus, MTS Games
- **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game
- **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game

## Verdict
A must-have for base game owners seeking more challenge; the boss fights shift the game's pace.Bosses with unique and dynamic abilitiesNew scenarios that refresh the experienceMore flexible difficulty adjustmentIncreases the tactical depth of the coopRequires the base game to playCan significantly increase game session timeHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever felt the thrill of being the villain? In 'Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles', you take that concept to a whole new level. This expansion isn't just more of the same; it's a massive upgrade for those who love setting traps and watching arrogant heroes fail miserably. The main highlight, as the name suggests, are the Boss Battles. Now, you're not just dealing with minions, but facing colossal creatures that come with their own special ability decks, making every fight a much more complex and unpredictable tactical puzzle.

Beyond the big baddies, the expansion injects new scenarios and monsters into the mix, expanding strategic possibilities and the variety of ways you can torture... I mean, 'stop' the adventurers. The difficulty handling has also been refined, allowing the group to tweak the challenge so the experience is as punishing as they desire. If you and your friends enjoy tactical cooperation, where every planned move can be the difference between evil's glory or the heroes' victory, this content is essential.

The game maintains that 'inverted Tower Defense' vibe, but with the addition of bosses, the tension spikes. You'll need tighter coordination with your partners to manage the new threats and the unique abilities these monsters bring to the table. It's the perfect dose of organized chaos for those who want to test their strategic limits and give a reality check to those heroes who think they can just walk into your dungeon and take all the loot.

## How to Play
How to Play Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles

1. Game Objective
In Boss Battles, players take on the roles of monsters defending their dungeon from heroes while facing an even greater threat: powerful Bosses. The goal is to survive Wave 1 (defending against heroes) and then defeat the Boss in Wave 2 before the Guild deck runs out, all while protecting Treasure "4" at the Vault. If you defeat the Boss or complete scenario-specific conditions, you win. If the Guild deck depletes or the Boss remains undefeated, you lose.

2. Setup
Initial Setup:

  Place the Battle board and double-sided room tiles (e.g., Guardians/Vortex) as specified by the scenario.
  Shuffle the Guild deck (hero cards) and place it face-down. Add Rookie cards based on difficulty: 4 for Family, 8 for Challenging, or 12 for Hardcore.
  Prepare the Boss deck (10 cards per Boss) but do not shuffle it yet—this is used in Wave 2.
  Place Gadget cards (if using the Guardians room) or Junk-bot tokens (if using the Blacksmith) as instructed.
  Distribute starting resources, meeples, and tactic cards to players based on their chosen monsters.

Scenario-Specific Setup: Each scenario may add unique rules (e.g., crates, special room types, or event cards). Follow the scenario’s Initial and Ongoing rules carefully.

3. Game Flow
The game is divided into two phases:

  Wave 1: Play proceeds in rounds of player turns followed by the Heroes Phase. Players defend against heroes while preparing for the Boss.
  Wave 2: Triggered when the Guild deck is exhausted. Reshuffle the deck, then introduce the Boss and its mechanics. After each Heroes Phase, resolve a Boss card and the Boss’s actions.

Player Turn Order:

  Players take turns performing actions (move, attack, activate abilities, etc.).
  After all players act, resolve the Heroes Phase: Heroes charge, attack, or plunder based on their priorities.
  In Wave 2, after the Heroes Phase, draw and resolve a Boss card, then reactivate the Boss.


4. Actions and How to Play
Key Actions:

  Activate Room Abilities: Some rooms (e.g., Guardians or Vortex) have unique actions. For example, discard a trap in the Guardians room to acquire a Gadget card.
  Attack: Use Melee or Ranged attacks to defeat heroes or Bosses. Some Bosses require discarding cards instead of attacking.
  Move: Navigate the dungeon to defend treasures or position for attacks.
  Special Abilities: Monsters and Bosses have unique powers (e.g., Werewolf’s Swarm Attack, Gorgon’s deck manipulation).

Rookies: When a Rookie card is drawn, summon one Rookie token to a room of the matching type. Defeating a Rookie drops a resource (Coin, Frog, Book, or Bone).

5. End of Game and Scoring
The game ends immediately if:

  You deal the required damage to the Boss (e.g., 15 damage to the Gorgon).
  The Guild deck runs out before defeating the Boss.
  You lose Treasure "4" at the Vault.
  Scenario-specific loss conditions are met (e.g., Gnolls escaping in Family Ties).

Victory: Complete the Boss’s defeat condition while protecting the Vault. Some scenarios have alternate win conditions (e.g., reuniting puppies in Family Ties).

6. Tips to Win

  Prepare for Wave 2: Acquire key cards (e.g., Scrolls for the Guardians Boss) during Wave 1.
  Balance Defense and Offense: Protect the Vault while focusing damage on the Boss.
  Use Rookies Strategically: Their single-token summons and resource drops help thin the Guild deck and boost your deck-building.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes, this is an expansion. You need 'Keep the Heroes Out!' to use this content.

### What changes with the introduction of bosses?
Bosses bring their own ability decks, making fights more unpredictable and requiring more group strategy.

### Does the game become much harder?
It can! The expansion introduces new ways to handle difficulty, so you decide if you want a walk in the park or a total nightmare.

### How many players can play?
1 to 4 players, keeping the cooperative vibe of the original game.

### How long does a game take with the expansion?
Games usually take around 40 minutes or more, depending on the scenario and the chosen challenge level.

### Does it come with new components?
Yes, new monsters, scenarios, and specific decks for the boss battles.

## Price Comparison
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