Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef

Druid City Games, Skybound Tabletop, Galakta · Board game · 2020
8.1 Ludopedia 7.4 BGG 1–4 · best 3 Solo 60–90 min Weight 3.0/5
Buy · from US$ 44.47
8.1 rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Love a game with a vibrant theme, mixed mechanics, and jaw-dropping art? Tidal Blades will win you over!

Highlights
  • Stunning art and components
  • Engaging mix of mechanics
  • Fun solo mode
  • Balanced strategy and luck
Keep in mind
  • Rules can be tricky initially
  • Some turns can drag
  • Interaction isn't always direct
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

In Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef, you step into the shoes of a young hero aspiring to become one of the legendary Tidal Blades, the guardians of the island. The setting is an epic tournament spanning 5 days and 5 nights, where the competition is fierce to select the best. To achieve glory, you'll need to manage your resources wisely, sign up for challenges in the Arenas, and strategically position yourself on different islands to optimize your actions. Each move rewards you with resources or effects, plus local bonuses, and with each challenge overcome or monster defeated in the Fold, you'll improve your Focus, Spirit, Resilience, and Synergy stats.

The game blends mechanics like worker placement, dice rolling with locking, hand management, and set collection. Turn order can be influenced by the chosen action, and each hero possesses unique abilities that shape their strategy. The variety of actions and interaction with the board, whether competing in challenges or facing threats, creates a dynamic experience. At the end of the five days, your score will be calculated based on completed challenges, your stats, your standing on the champions' board, and the monsters you've fought. Tidal Blades offers an engaging experience for both those who enjoy planning every move and those who prefer to take risks for great rewards, featuring a robust solo mode for those who want to test their skills alone.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

12 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Components: Dice with Icons Components: Game Trayz Inside Components: Miniatures Creatures: Monsters Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Theme: Anthropomorphic Animals
Publisher Druid City Games, Skybound Tabletop, Galakta
Designer Ben Eisner, Tim Eisner
Artist Mr. Cuddington

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

7,370owners
2,069wishlist
168want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime?
A game of Tidal Blades typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes for 1 to 4 players.
Is the game difficult to learn?
The complexity is considered medium (2.94/5 on BGG). The combination of mechanics might require some attention in the first playthrough, but the game flow becomes intuitive.
Does it come with an organizer?
Yes, the game includes internal trays (Game Trayz) that greatly help with component organization and setup.
Is it good for solo play?
Absolutely! Tidal Blades has a well-developed solo mode, allowing you to compete in the tournament against the game itself.
Is player interaction high?
Interaction exists mainly through competing for action spaces and the race for points in challenges. It's not a direct conflict game, but the competition is palpable.
What kind of players would enjoy Tidal Blades the most?
Players who appreciate games with strong visual appeal, enjoy mixing strategies like worker placement with luck elements (dice), and like games with asymmetric powers.

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