# Wander: The Cult of Barnacle Bay

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: #7076
- **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 45-120 min
- **Weight**: 2.78 / 5
- **Designers**: Jonathan Phillips-Bradford
- **Artists**: Heath Foley, Jose David Lanza Cebrian
- **Publishers**: Panda Cult Games LLC
- **Categories**: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Miniatures
- **Mechanics**: Action Points, Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Modular Board

## Verdict
An addictive cooperative miniature RPG perfect for fans of character progression.Highly satisfying hero progressionEngaging and narrative campaignDynamic modular boardSnappy and direct combatLanguage dependency (campaign book)Requires campaign commitmentRECOMMENDED

## Description
If you love that classic RPG vibe but want something faster and more direct, Wander: The Cult of Barnacle Bay is your new obsession. This is the first chapter of an epic series where you and your friends step into the shoes of heroes from the Wanderer's Guild. The mission? Cleanse the town of Barnacle Bay from the sinister Elder Bane, a villain driven mad by dark magic who has turned the townsfolk into a cult of bizarre mutants. 

The game is fully cooperative and features a campaign system, meaning your choices today will shape your tomorrow. You'll pick one of five unique heroes and start your journey by outfitting them with essential gear. As you explore the modular board—assembled according to the campaign book—you'll face dangers and uncover treasures. Defeating foes and surviving random encounters earns you experience points and loot that stay with your hero permanently, providing that satisfying RPG progression. 

The skill tree is a standout feature: it's dual-sided, allowing you to experiment with different ability combinations in every new adventure to find the style that fits you best. Combat is snappy, using action points for movement and attacks, while enemies follow a simple line-of-sight AI. You don't need to roll dice for enemy attacks; they hit automatically, but you can roll to defend your hero. With custom dice and random encounters that ensure no two adventures are ever the same, the fun is guaranteed. Grab your miniatures and let's save the bay!

## FAQ
### Is the game difficult?
Difficulty scales as the campaign progresses, but it's well-balanced for cooperative play.

### Do I need all players?
Not at all! It plays 1-5 players, but it shines with a full group.

### How long does a session last?
On average between 45 to 120 minutes, depending on the scenario's complexity.

### Are the components good?
Yes, the miniatures and hero dashboards are standout features.

### Is it a complex game?
Combat is straightforward, but managing the campaign and skill tree requires focus.