I have just ordered a copy of Runewars and I can't wait for it to arrive so I can crack it open. My wife and I love long, involved board games, but we sometimes have trouble finding other people willing to dedicate as much time. So, with the possibility of this being a primarily 2-player game for me, I was wondering how well the game works with 2 players. Anyone out there who has played this as a 2-player game, let me know how it went. Thanks.

My first play session was with two players and the game works great. Some of the tactics cards are a little lack luster and are clearly intended as diplomatic gestures in a 3+ player game, but for the most part everything scales very well. The map itself is dependant on player size, making set up and getting into the action go a good deal quicker when playing with 2.

Just be careful how you set your map up, as its easy to get stuck in a bottle neck somewhere mid-map where your armies play a dangerous game of pong. Then again, a card like mountain pass or a well time winter mobilize order can go a long way to upsetting map choke points.

Once I craked open the box and did my usual punch and bag of the insane amount of pieces, I quickly joined a friend for our first game. Over all, two player mode was awesome. Aside from some re-reading of a couple things everything seemed to run pretty well. The only thing that seemed a little off with two players was the title cards. It worked out fine, but that was one area we would have liked more people so it wasn't so back and forth. Other than that, we may institute an extra random map piece just to spread out the land a little (this is circumstancial due to random placements). In the case of our game we didn't have too many big land pieces so it was a little clustered. We plan on playing again without adding a piece to see what happens and then will decide from there.

I did see a post that opted to pass a rule where you couldn't place runes in home area during a 2 player game which seems like it would cause chaotic war on the board (a good thing). We're for sure trying this. Will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the input! I am now ever MORE excited to get my game.

My girlfriend and I have played this game a couple of times now. Two player is great though the boards sometimes feel a bit small. As someone else said, some of the cards are aimed for a 3 or 4 player game but that's just the luck of the draw. But I wouldn't have any problem recommending it for two players.

I’ve mostly played it two player, and it works fine. I can see that three+ would be a far richer gaming experience for sure, but two hasn’t let us down yet.

My first play session (and only one until now) was a two player game too, and I feel this game very smooth as well!

I think the 2 players version of the game is more strategic and well balanced. In the 3 or 4 players game, the rules about routing units and retreat are lethal for players, and you usualy lost our routed units by a third player who attacks after our mobilize or conquer order. The only solution to manage this problem often boils down to doesn't attack, which would not be the theme of the game, so we still attack, and ... trapped! A little frustrating...

however, I agree that a lot of cards - especially season cards - are designed to 3 or 4 players and take an interest in this type of games.

I didn't feel the game board small, taking into account that players should stay near each other to maintain the constant stress of battle!

This game is really a success, and I can't wait until my next game session

If I tell you that I could only play Runewars as a 2-player game, would you still recommend it?

Sagremor said:

Absolutely yes. But it may depend on the number of plays you get out of it. It works VERY well as a 2-player game; in fact, almost all my games have been 2-players. It does play a little differently, mostly because you only have one other player to worry about, but it's still an excellent game.

If you think you'll get a lot of plays out of it 2-player, it's absoultely worth the investment.

I have had a great deal of enjoyment playing it in two player mode.