I just got Runbound, 2nd ed. The instructions say to win the game you either beat Margath or you get three Dragon Runes. Dragon Runes are no where mentioned in the rules. For a game called "Runebound" there are no rules related to runes...other than perhaps the movement dice.

I really enjoy FFG games (I have WOW-BG and Descent) but I'm a little confused on this one. Do you just keep playing the game, getting more powerful and hope that a red adventure (challenge) will lead to Margath? If not, keep playing and playing until that time?

To recap: What are runes? What is a Dragon Rune? How do I collect three Dragon Runes to win the game? Otherwise, playing until I'm powerful enough to beat up Margath could take a while...is that correct?

Thanx for any clarifications!

You receive a Dragon Rune when you defeat one of the red challenge dragons that is not Margath. Collect three to win the game.

Thanx for the info! However, where is that in the rules? Granted I haven't read through all the adventures, etc., so if it is in there, I haven't found it.

As far as I know it is not in the rules (ie: what are dragon runes)...you only find out as you play the game (ie: fight vs a red challenge).

Ruvion said:

Well, most of the Red Challenges are Dragon runes. Read the Red cards, and any "Dragon" is a Dragon Rune when defeated. Definitely makes the red challenges easier once you defeat your first red dragon (gaining a rune) that allows you to inflict wounds or remove wounds (though I like to inflict as many wounds as fast as possible, and in the first round of combat than removing wounds) as you need to inflict 6+ wounds per dragon to defeat them plus having high powered Allies adds two attacks per round as well. Especially if your character can attack before combat or give you an additional attack in the same combat round. Very nice. Lots of card combinations.

If I recall, Drakes and Dragonspawn, Terrors of the Tomb, and possibly Shadows of Margath (I dont have Shadows) add more red challenge cards as well as Dragon Runes so your red challenge deck grows and you are given more variety on battling different dragons over subsequent games.

Kijug said:

Yes, just keep playing, until you either defeat 3 red dragons (collecting the runes as you go) or defeat Margath when drawn, which ever comes first. However, I would suggest using the Doom Track variant as it adds a timer aspect to the game forcing you to fight higher level challenges versus just "farming" lover lever ones. Plus you'll get more coin for doing so anyway.

Kijug said:

See my other post above.

Ah yes, as I suspected: The Shadows of Margath do indeed have two more Dragonlords that turn into Dragon Runes when defeated!!

www.boardgamegeek.com/image/209055

Though I'm not sure that Ghox and Phrynelyx are really that difficult and the reward isn't all that; Essence Drain however, now that's wicked.

Kevinjt4 said:

Basically, these are easy to take Dragon Runes and the Rune effect is not outstanding as the automatic 3 damage attack of Eregax, Baraxis and Fromax (if I correctly recall the names ). These 3 Dragonlords are real badasses, even more than Margath.

In Terrors of the Tomb there's one more powerful Dragon Rune (of Death), even though the foe isn't exactly a Dragon. Then there's the Skeleton of Margath which is a (compulsory) shortcut to the resurrected High Lord (no Dragon Rune).

I don't own other Challenge card add-ons, but I'm pretty sure that "Drakes and Dragonspawn" gives additional Dragon Runes.

Runebound base set has the board and the big Market deck, but should be intended as a single adventure called "Rise of the Dragonlords". The card expansions called Adventure Variants have different story settings and special ways to achieve victory.

I like how did they design a game that's so easy to expand, even without changing the setting. The only thing I don't understand is: why don't they create expansion decks for other board expansions, to use the new board and rules and vary the storyline?

The_Warlock said:

Hey, now that would be pretty slick! Frozen Wastes Expansion packs!! Sweet!! FFG - listen up here's a new idea right here!!

in other business news:

expansion of an expansion do not sell.