# Too Many Bones: Undertow ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2018 - **BGG Rating**: 8.7 - **BGG Rank**: #167 - **Players**: 1-2 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 60-180 min - **Weight**: 4.03 / 5 - **Designers**: Adam Carlson, Josh J. Carlson - **Artists**: Anthony LeTourneau, Josh J. Carlson, Melonie Lavely - **Publishers**: Chip Theory Games, Frosted Games, Gameland 游戏大陆, Lavka Games, Lucky Duck Games - **Categories**: Adventure, Dice, Fantasy, Fighting - **Mechanics**: Cooperative Game, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Dice Rolling, Die Icon Resolution, Minimap Resolution, Role Playing, Solo / Solitaire Game, Stat Check Resolution, Tech Trees / Tech Tracks, Turn Order: Role Order, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict If you enjoy a deep tactical cooperative or solo challenge with extensive character customization and dice, Undertow is right up your alley! It's a robust game that delivers a profound and rewarding experience.Deep tactical combatAddictive character progressionHigh-quality componentsGreat for solo playHigh replayabilitySteep learning curveHigh price pointLanguage dependentHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Get ready for another dose of tactical adventure with Too Many Bones: Undertow! This standalone expansion and sequel to the acclaimed Too Many Bones throws you into an electrifying journey downriver. Embark with new Gearloc characters Stanza and Duster as they navigate the Sibron River in search of answers, facing dangers and mysteries at every turn. Undertow is designed for 1 to 2 players out of the box, but if you already own other Gearlocs from the base game or characters like Ghillie, Nugget, and Tink, you can expand the table for up to four adventurers. This means more strategy and more cooperative fun with your friends! The game is packed with new features: never-before-seen baddies, challenging encounters, formidable tyrants, and a double-sided battle mat that will make you think outside the box. Battles are no longer limited to solid ground; prepare for tactical duels both on land and aboard your raft, adding an extra layer of complexity and strategic variety to the confrontations. With fantastic immersion and high-quality components, Too Many Bones: Undertow maintains the essence that made the series famous: tactical dice-based combat, character dice pool building, and RPG progression that makes you feel the power of every decision. It's the perfect choice for those seeking a robust challenge and an unforgettable solo or cooperative experience. ## How to Play Game Objective In Too Many Bones: Undertow, players take on the role of Gearlocs traveling through southern Daelore in search of a specific Tyrant. The ultimate goal is to face and defeat the Tyrant before the Day Counter exceeds the number of days indicated on the Tyrant Card. If the Tyrant is defeated within the deadline, the team wins; otherwise, the game ends in defeat. Setup Before starting, assemble the components as follows: Place the Battle Mat in the center of the play area. Position the Tyrant Card, the Tyrant Chip and the Tyrant Die to the left of the Battle Mat. Place the Day Counter Card and the Day Counter Chip (set to 1) directly below the Tyrant Card. Set up the Lane Marker Chips and the Obstacle/Wreckage Chips above the Battle Mat, following the layout shown in the manual. Place the Baddie Ini Dice and the stacks of Health Chips as shown in the manual. Position the Round Counter Die on the left side of the Initiative (Ini) Meter on the Battle Mat, set to R1. For each player, choose a Gearloc and place the Gearloc Mat, the Gearloc Chip (with the initial amount of Health Chips), the Ini Die and the Stat Dice as indicated. Locate the 16 Skill Dice for your Gearloc and place them in a Storage Tray near the Gearloc Mat. Identify the Skill Dice that your Gearloc starts with (marked with circles) and place them in the corresponding slots on the Gearloc Mat. Set up the stacks of Baddie Chips (1Pt, 5Pt, 20Pt, 3Pt Krelln and 3Pt Mech) according to the type of Baddie indicated on the Tyrant Card. Place the Baddie Ini Dice and the stacks of Health Chips as shown in the manual. Verify that all components are in place before beginning the adventure. Game Flow The game progresses in daily cycles, each consisting of four main phases: New Day Phase – Rotate the Day Counter +1 (skip this phase on Day 1). Encounter Phase – Draw an Encounter Card and read it aloud. If there are already enough Progress Pts, you may challenge the Tyrant instead of resolving the encounter. Choose one of the encounter options and attempt to complete it successfully. If successful, proceed to the Reward Phase; if you fail, skip the Reward Phase and go straight to the Recovery Phase. Reward Phase – Collect all specific rewards of your choice. Collect any general encounter rewards. If there is Loot or Trove Loot, take it now. If there are Training Pt(s), use them immediately. If there are Progress Pt(s), place the card (with the Progress Pts visible) under the Tyrant Card. Recovery Phase – Trade Loot and Trove Loot among team members. Make a Lockpicking Attempt on Trove Loot or another player. Choose one of the individual options (each Gearloc can choose one): Rest and Recover: heal to full HP. Search for Better Loot: discard 1 Loot or Trove Loot, roll 6 Atk Dice and reveal a Loot Card for each roll; you may keep 1. Scout the Area: roll a D6; 1‑3 reveals a 1Pt Baddie, 4‑5 reveals up to a 5Pt Baddie, 6 reveals up to a 20Pt Baddie. Reveal the first chip from each stack; you may leave it standing or send it to the bottom of the stack. After completing the Recovery Phase, the day ends and the cycle restarts with the New Day Phase. Actions and How to Play During the game, players have access to various actions, primarily during the recovery and battle phases. Below are the main actions available: Rest and Recover – Available only during the Recovery Phase. Heal the Gearloc to the maximum number of Health Chips. No Dex cost or dice are required. Search for Better Loot – Available only during the Recovery Phase. Discard 1 Loot or Trove Loot, roll 6 Atk Dice and reveal a Loot Card for each roll. You may keep 1 Loot card. ## FAQ ### Is Too Many Bones: Undertow a complete game, or do I need the original Too Many Bones? It's a standalone expansion! This means you can play it directly without needing the Too Many Bones base game. However, if you own the original, you can mix characters and expand the fun! ### How many players can play Undertow? Out of the box, it supports 1 to 2 players. But, if you have more Gearlocs (characters) from the base game or other expansions, you can scale the adventure up to 4 players. ### What's the average playtime for a game session? Prepare for a longer session! A game can range from 60 to 180 minutes, depending on player experience and scenario complexity. ### Is the game very complex? What's the difficulty level? It's considered an expert game, with a complexity weight of 4.0284/5 on BGG. There's an initial learning curve, but the tactical depth and character customization are rewarding for those who enjoy challenges. ### Are the components high quality? Absolutely! Chip Theory Games is renowned for the premium quality of its components. Expect heavy custom dice, neoprene mats, and durable PVC cards that enhance the tactile experience of the game. ### Is it a good game for solo play? Definitely! Too Many Bones: Undertow excels as a solo game. The experience is challenging and immersive, allowing you to dive into the story and tactics at your own pace. ### Do I need to know English to play? Yes, the game has high language dependency. There's a significant amount of text on encounter cards, character abilities, and rules. 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