Emberheart
Emberheart at your next game night?
Add Emberheart to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Rob Fisher , Adam Porter
- Publisher Mindclash Games , CrowD Games , Delta Vision Publishing , Devir , DiceTree Games
- Illustration Andrew Bosley
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You play a King's champion on the island of Emberheart: recruit heroes, rescue dragons from poachers and expand preserves. The game blends Worker Placement, Set Collection and Auction/Bidding elements; party size affects turn order and available rewards, and a Flame track penalizes overreach. Over five rounds you train a Dragon Companion and gather Glory from rescues and recruits.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at experienced hobby players, Emberheart is a medium-complexity title with an estimated 90-minute playtime. It suits groups comfortable with worker-placement and bidding interactions; newcomers should expect a learning curve to grasp the interaction of mechanics.
How It Works
On your turn you either take an Aide token for a round bonus or send a party of hirelings to a location — Worker Placement meets Turn Order: Claim Action and Auction/Bidding because party size influences selection priority. Different hirelings (single-use vs. permanent) and your Dragon Companion change options. Locations grant heroes, rescued dragons or counterattacks, and Glory is tallied after five rounds.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Rob Fisher and Adam Porter, Emberheart stands out by combining Worker-Placement with Claim-Action ordering and bidding-like competition over location rewards. The Flame track adds a risk-reward tension that affects final scoring.
Pro
- Tactical mix of Worker-Placement, Auction/Bidding and Set Collection
- Aide tokens and varied hireling types create asymmetric choices
- Dragon Companion development ties theme to engine-building decisions
- About 90 minutes fits typical hobby-game evenings
Contra
- Medium complexity may be steep for newcomers
- Competition over turn order and bidding can create direct contention
Setting & atmosphere
The game is set on the mystical island of Emberheart, home to the last dragons, in a medieval-fantasy milieu. Poachers from distant lands threaten the villagers and dragons, prompting royal intervention.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on understanding hireling types and the Flame track; prioritize consistent party sizes rather than chasing many situational options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No — Emberheart is designed for 2–4 players (players.min = 2).
How long does a game really take?
Playtime is listed at about 90 minutes; include time for setup and explanation for first plays.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with Worker-Placement and basic bidding mechanics helps; it's a medium-weight game suited to hobby players.
How does this compare to similar games?
Emberheart distinguishes itself by merging Claim-Action turn ordering with bidding-like competition and a personal Dragon Companion mechanic.
Is this suitable for families?
Partially — minimum age is 12, so families with older children are a better fit.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Worker-Placement with Turn Order: Claim Action and Auction/Bidding is the defining mechanical hook.
Fazit
Recommended for players who enjoy medium-weight worker-placement with interactive bidding; not ideal for groups seeking very short or purely family-oriented games. Fans of dragon-themed fantasy will find its systems coherent.
Emberheart at your next game night?
Add Emberheart to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Emberheart to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
