Merlin: Big Box

Queen Games · Board game · 2020
8.8 Ludopedia 8.1 BGG 2–4 · best 3 75–120 min Weight 3.4/5
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8.8 rating Ludopedia
8.1 rating BGG

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Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you love medieval strategy games, Merlin: Big Box offers a powerful expansion combo for endless fun.

Highlights
  • Flexible expansion combos
  • High‑quality components
  • Well‑integrated mechanics
Keep in mind
  • Long playtime
  • Moderate learning curve
  • Requires 2‑4 players
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Merlin: Big Box arrives as a true treasure chest for fans of medieval strategy games. In addition to the base game, it bundles the Arthur and Knights of the Round Table expansions, the two "Queenies" versions, and, as a major highlight, the new Morgana expansion. Morgana adds three modules—Morgana, Market, and Caerleon—that can be freely mixed with the core game or the other expansions, boosting replayability. In the Morgana module, players draft a purple die from a shared pool and gain special abilities that can swing the game. The Market module lets players claim unique bonuses from the market board when they cannot complete a mission card on a turn. Caerleon replaces the original principalities with new locations; each randomly placed spot provides a specific resource or action, and grants an extra bonus if the player employs a matching henchman.

The core of Merlin remains centered on worker placement, set collection, area majority/influence, and the iconic rondel, all flavored with dice rolls that determine movement. The area majority mechanic fuels intense battles for territories, while the rondel forces strategic choices about when to advance or conserve resources. Components have been upgraded, featuring quality wooden pieces, sturdy tokens, and internal trays for easy organization.

With a playtime of 75‑120 minutes, the game supports 2‑4 players and carries a moderate complexity rating (3.3/5), perfect for those who enjoy deep strategy without drowning in rules. High scores on BGG (8.05) and Ludopedia (8.8) indicate strong community approval of the mechanics blend and thematic richness. If you love building kingdoms, managing henchmen, and experimenting with expansion combos, Merlin: Big Box invites you to epic sessions of planning and contest.

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — Merlin: Big Box English · PDF
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Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Components: Game Trayz Inside Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Series: Big Box (Queen) Versions & Editions: Big Box Versions of Individual Games
Publisher Queen Games
Designer Michael Rieneck, Stefan Feld
Artist Dennis Lohausen

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,320owners
221wishlist
78want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can join?
2 to 4 players.
What is the typical playtime?
Between 75 and 120 minutes, depending on how many expansions are used.
How complex is the game?
Moderate complexity, with a BGG weight of 3.3/5.
Which components have been upgraded?
Wooden pieces, premium tokens, and internal trays for easier setup and storage.
Do I need previous expansions to play?
No, the Big Box includes the base game and all listed expansions, ready to play out of the box.
Can the Morgana modules be used separately?
Yes, the three modules can be mixed freely with the base game or with each other.
Is any language knowledge required?
No, all content is fully in Portuguese, with no additional translation needed.

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