# Legends of Andor: Journey to the North

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2014
- **BGG Rating**: 7.9
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 60-90 min
- **Weight**: 2.96 / 5
- **Designers**: Michael Menzel
- **Artists**: Michael Menzel
- **Publishers**: KOSMOS, 999 Games, Arclight Games, Devir, Giochi Uniti, IELLO, Korea Boardgames, Zvezda
- **Categories**: Adventure, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy
- **Mechanics**: Area Movement, Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love the base game and want to expand their horizons with new nautical mechanics. The immersion is fantastic!New legends with epic settingsWell-integrated navigation mechanicsCooperative tension at its peakHigh-quality componentsRequires the base game to playHeavy language dependenceRECOMMENDED

## Description
You know that feeling when you think peace has finally arrived? Well, in Andor, that never lasts. After years of tranquility, the heroes are summoned for an urgent mission in Far Hadria, way up in the North. The catch? The journey is perilous, taking place aboard an old sailing ship where the group must face not only hungry sea monsters but also the raw fury of nature, with violent storms that can flip any plan upside down.

Journey to the North isn't just a small add-on; it's the first major expansion for the franchise and brings a drastic change of scenery. Forget the forests for a while and get ready to navigate unknown islands and protect the northern coasts. The game maintains the cooperative essence and the tension of time management but adds new layers of strategy with an expanded map and new legends that challenge the group's coordination.

If you already enjoy the dynamic of planning every single step to prevent time from running out, you'll love how this expansion broadens the universe. The interaction between characters remains a highlight, with each special ability being crucial for surviving the ocean's perils. It's the kind of experience that transforms the gaming table into a true epic campaign, where victory depends entirely on the group's synergy.

Just remember: you'll need a lot of luck with the dice and a solid plan, because the Northern Sea is unforgiving. Hoist the sails, call your crew, and set off on the adventure! It's time to see if your team has what it takes to survive the frozen reaches of the world.

## How to Play
Game Objective  
The objective of Legends of Andor: Journey to the North is to explore the north of Andor, face creatures and environmental challenges, and collect rewards along the journey. Victory is achieved by completing specific goals, such as reaching key locations (e.g., Space 100 or Space 114) or accumulating victory points. Refer to the manual for details on the exact victory condition, as it varies according to the base game rules and expansions.  

Setup  
To set up the game, follow these steps:  
  
  Components per player: Choose a hero board, take the hero figure, 2 discs, 1 cube, and the dice of the hero's color.  
  Place one disc on the dawn space.  
  Set the initial values on the hero board: 1 strength point on the cube and 7 willpower points on the second disc.  
  Prepare the coats of arms according to the colors of the participating heroes.  
  Set up the ship board with the upgrades facing the gold coin side.  
  Place the 2 black cubes on the group combat marker.  
  Organize the creatures near the board.  
  Prepare the dice: 4 black, 2 red, and 5 white. Use the white cube for creature strength points and the white disc for willpower points.  
  

Game Flow  
The game progresses in turns, with the narrator advancing the dawn and managing events. The main phases are:  
  
  Dawn: The narrator advances the dawn, delivering rewards for defeated creatures (e.g., shells, logs) and applying effects on specific spaces (91, 100, 114).  
  Combat: Heroes can fight as a group or individually. The group combat marker accumulates strength and willpower points from the participants.  
  Movement: Heroes move by land or by ship. Sea navigation requires wind cards and can be accelerated with special abilities.  
  Events: Actions such as using items (logs, iron), activating shipwreck tokens, or avoiding storms are resolved during the turn.  
  

Actions and How to Play  
Players can perform actions such as:  
  
  Move: By land or by ship. Sea navigation uses wind cards and can be done for multiple hours per turn.  
  Combat: Attack creatures with dice. The use of magic weapons or shields can modify the results.  
  Use items: Logs or iron can be collected and exchanged for willpower points, gold, or fame. Orweyn's hammer grants permanent strength.  
  Activate abilities: The compass allows rotating wind cards, the storm shield prevents negative effects, and the hourglass delays a hero's time.  
  

End of Game and Scoring  
The game ends when a hero reaches Space 114 with extra hours or fulfills other specific conditions. The score is calculated with:  
  
  Willpower: Points accumulated during the journey.  
  Fame: Rewards for defeating creatures or completing missions.  
  Strength: Points from the cube and items like the hammer.  
  Items: Gold, shells, and other collected objects.  
  
The hero with the most victory points is the winner. Refer to the manual for detailed rules on end-game triggers and defeat criteria.  

Tips for Winning  
  
  Use strategic navigation: Take advantage of the ship's abilities and wind cards to avoid storms and reach key locations quickly.  
  Manage willpower: Avoid spending willpower points on unnecessary actions, especially in combat against powerful creatures.  
  Collect valuable items: Logs and iron can be exchanged for significant rewards, such as fame points or gold.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes! This is an expansion, so you need Legends of Andor for the core rules and essential components.

### Is the game too difficult?
It has a medium weight (around 3/5). If you know the base game, the learning curve is smooth, though storms can make things tricky!

### How long does a game take?
Generally between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on how well the group coordinates.

### How many people can play?
From 2 to 4 players. The more people, the more diverse the combination of powers.

### Is there a lot of reading involved?
Yes, there is heavy language dependence due to the legends and narrative elements.

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