# Monsters ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2001 - **BGG Rating**: — - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-4 - **Duration**: 90 min - **Weight**: — - **Designers**: Guy Homen - **Publishers**: (Self-Published) - **Categories**: Horror - **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Roll / Spin and Move, Set Collection ## Verdict If you love the idea of being a mad scientist and building your own Frankenstein to dominate the world, *Monsters* offers lighthearted fun with a classic horror theme.Fun mad scientist themeEngaging monster creationAccessible set collectionDirect, comical interactionClassic roll and moveHigh luck dependencyCan be repetitiveVery basic rulesFOR GENRE FANS ## Description Get ready to don your mad scientist lab coat in *Monsters*, a board game that puts you in the shoes of a doctor with a rather peculiar ambition: to be the first to bring a Frankenstein Monster to life! The objective is clear and delightfully macabre: assemble your own monster in the lab and then guide it through town to a radioactive pit. Why? To destroy the world, of course, and emerge as the sole surviving mad scientist, along with your creation. After all, who needs competition when you have a giant, radioactive monster by your side? The gameplay is a fun mix of luck and light strategy. You and your rivals, from 2 to 4 players, will roll dice to move your markers across the colorful board, which represents the city and its hidden dangers. But it's not just about strolling around! The core of the game lies in set collection: you'll need to gather the right monster body parts in your laboratory. Each arm, leg, torso, and head must be carefully selected for your creature to take shape. Once your Frankenstein is complete, the race against time begins to see who reaches the radioactive pit first and secures victory. With components including a vibrant gameboard, game pieces, dice, and the indispensable monster parts, *Monsters* promises a lighthearted and twist-filled experience for players aged 8 and up. It's the perfect choice for those who enjoy a classic horror theme with a touch of humor and the thrill of seeing their monster come to life (and perhaps destroy the world)! ## How to Play Game Objective In Monsters & Treasures, you take on the role of an adventurer in a "card RPG" where the main objective can vary depending on the chosen mode. While the phrase "There is only one goal in life: Wealth!" summarizes the spirit of the game, players must agree on a specific objective before starting the game. Some examples of objectives include: Conqueror: Be the first to conquer 5 Terrains. Gold and Fame: Accumulate 20 Treasure Points. Dragon Slayer: Be the first to kill a dragon. Legendary Hunter: Defeat the Tarrasque or the Beholder. Hero: Kill a Monster of Level 10 or higher. Victory by Time: Have more Treasure Points after a time limit. Setup To begin, separate the cards into 5 distinct piles: Pile of Hero Cards (35 cards with blue backs). Pile of Monster Cards (100 cards with red backs). Pile of Terrain Cards (65 cards with green backs). Pile of Relic Cards (100 cards with yellow backs). Pile of Action Cards (100 cards with purple backs). Place the Monster, Terrain, Relic, and Action piles to the side of the table. For choosing Heroes, each player rolls a die; the highest result starts. Players choose Heroes alternately until each has a Group of 3 Heroes in front of them. Finally, each player draws 6 Action Cards to their hand. Game Flow The game proceeds in Turns clockwise. A complete Turn follows this sequence: Discard and Draw Cards: The Current Player discards as many cards as desired and draws until reaching their Hand Capacity. Terrains: The player chooses between: A - Tavern: Swaps a Hero from the Group for a new one from the Hero pile. The turn ends immediately. B - Temple: Heals all Heroes that are Wounded. The turn ends immediately. C - Explore Terrains: Reveals a Terrain. The player can enter or reject (up to 3 rejections). If they enter, they proceed to the next phase. Reveal Monsters: The Opponent (player to the right) reveals Monsters compatible with the Terrain icons to form an Enemy Group. Combat: Confrontation between Groups composed of Rounds (see details below). Conquest, Treasures, and Experience: If they win combat, the player conquers the Terrain, collects Treasures, and gains Experience. Discard and Draw Cards: The Current Player can discard and draw cards again (only if they participated in combat). Combat Combat occurs in Rounds with the following order: Initiative: Defines who acts first. If there's a tie, roll a die. Actions: Each Character takes one action per Round. Group Power: Sum the Power of all living Characters (with a -1 penalty for Wounded) and roll a die to add to the total. Wounding and Resolution: The winner of the Round chooses an Enemy to Wound. If the target was already Wounded, they are Dead. Actions and How to Play During Combat, the Current Player can choose one of the following Actions for one of their Characters: Play an Action Card from Hand: Must respect the Attribute Requirement (e.g., Attack, Defense, Arcane Magic, Divine Magic, or Stealth). Use an Ability: Use an Ability inherent to the Character or from a Treasure. Draw a Card: Take an Action Card from the deck. Take a Treasure: Take a Treasure from an ally (living or dead). Flee: The Current Player can use an action to flee combat, but the Opponent chooses a hero to be Wounded as a consequence. Important: Characters that "cannot be targeted" by actions can still be Wounded at the end of a Round. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when the pre-established objective is achieved or when only one player has living Heroes. Scoring and Rewards: Conquest: The player gains the Terrain Card if they win combat. Treasures: Upon winning, sum the defeated Monster's Level + the Terrain's Treasure Bonus. The player draws Treasure Cards from the pile until their points are spent. Experience: If the defeated Monster has an evolution icon, the player chooses a Hero to gain the Attribute or Power bonus. Tips for Winning Consult the manual for details on this section. Consult the manual for details on this section. ## FAQ ### What is the main objective in Monsters? The goal is to be the first mad scientist to assemble a complete Frankenstein Monster in your lab and then guide it to a radioactive pit to destroy the world, securing your victory as the sole survivor! ### How many players can participate in a game? Monsters is designed for 2 to 4 players, making it ideal for small groups or family sessions. ### What is the recommended age range for the game? The game is recommended for players aged 8 and up, due to its simple rules and fun, yet slightly 'spooky' theme. ### How long does a game of Monsters typically take? A game usually lasts between 90 minutes, so prepare for a moderately long gaming session. ### What are the main components of the game? The box includes a colorful gameboard, 8 game pieces, 2 dice, and 32 monster parts, plus the complete rulebook. ### Is there a lot of luck involved in the game? Yes, dice rolling for movement and the availability of monster parts introduce a significant element of luck, which can make each game unpredictable and fun. ### Is Monsters a complex game? No, it's quite accessible! With roll-and-move and set collection mechanics, the rules are easy to learn, making it a great option for beginners or those looking for something lighter.