The Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game

Evil Hat Productions · Board game · 2017
1–5 · best 1 Solo 30 min Weight 2.2/5
8.0 rating Ludopedia
7.0 rating BGG
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8.0 rating Ludopedia
7.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict

A fast-paced, tense cooperative experience perfect for supernatural mystery lovers.

Highlights
  • Tight and strategic gameplay
  • Great immersion for fans
  • Quick, intense sessions
Keep in mind
  • Heavy language dependency
  • Challenging resource management
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About the game
Ever wondered what would happen if Harry Dresden had some serious backup during his most critical investigations? In The Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game, that's exactly the premise! This game plunges you into the supernatural universe of Jim Butcher's best-sellers, but with a clever 'what-if' twist. Instead of strictly following the book chronology, you and your friends step into the shoes of Harry and his allies—such as Murphy, Susan, and the Alphas—to solve cases that even the original stories never saw coming.

The gameplay is intense and fast-paced. You'll need to work together to investigate mysteries and face threats emerging from a scenario deck. The core challenge lies in managing 'Fate Points,' a shared resource pool. Every turn presents a tough choice: will you spend your points to perform a crucial action, or will you pass your turn to generate more resources for the group? This resource management, combined with dice rolling and hand management, creates constant tension.

Designed for quick sessions of about 30 minutes, it's perfect for a midweek game night, but don't let the brevity fool you—the challenge is very real. The final showdown at the end of each 'book' (scenario) demands pure strategy and a touch of luck. If you're a fan of the series, you'll love the deep-cut references and in-jokes (like the unpredictable Blue Beetle!). Even if you've never read the books, you'll find a tightly tuned, strategic, and thrilling cooperative card game. It's all about calculated risks, where teamwork is your only hope of surviving the shadows.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 BEST
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 OK
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Game details

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Apple App Store Digital Implementations: Steam Game: The Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game
Publisher Evil Hat Productions
Designer Eric B. Vogel
Artist Chris McGrath, Fred Hicks, Tyler Walpole
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a game take?
Sessions are quick, typically lasting around 30 minutes.
Is the game difficult?
Yes, it's quite challenging! It's designed to be tense, so winning requires real strategy and teamwork.
Do I need to have read the books?
Not necessarily, but if you are a fan, you'll enjoy the references and atmosphere much more.
How many players can play?
It works great for 1 to 5 players, scaling the difficulty smoothly.
Is the game in English?
Yes, the game has a heavy language dependency, so you'll need to be comfortable with English or have a translation.