Lairs
Lairs at your next game night?
Add Lairs 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 Josh Cappel , Christopher Westmaas
- Publisher KTBG , DSV Games , Kutugo , Moona Games
- Illustration Claire Lin , Josh Nelson , Jean Walter
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 alternately build and explore intricate lairs: each player places walls, traps, monsters and treasure, then attempts to navigate the opponent's dungeon. Gameplay shifts between construction and exploration, requiring deduction, grid movement and some dice-driven risk. Paper-and-pencil elements let you track hypotheses while a modular board keeps the layouts varied.
Who Is This Game For?
Designed strictly for two players aged 10+, Lairs suits players who enjoy head-to-head deduction and puzzle challenges. With an indicated duration of about 60 minutes, it fits an evening session but is compact enough for focused duels. Prior experience with deduction or puzzle games is helpful but not mandatory.
How It Works
Both players start with the same set of components to create a modular labyrinth for the opponent. Movement occurs on a grid (Grid Movement), players spend Action Points and resolve Dice Rolling to overcome encounters, while Deduction and Paper-and-Pencil notes help infer the opponent's layout. The game alternates building and revealing, so bluffing and information gathering are central.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Josh Cappel and Christopher Westmaas, Lairs blends Deduction with Modular Board and Paper-and-Pencil mechanics. As a pure two-player title (Players: Two-Player Only Games), it focuses on direct competitive mindgames. The mix of Action Points, Grid Movement and dice adds tactical depth beyond typical deduction-only games.
Pro
- Tailored two-player duel experience (Players: Two-Player Only Games).
- Combines Deduction with Modular Board variability.
- Paper-and-Pencil mechanics support logical deduction.
- Action Points, Grid Movement and Dice Rolling create tactical choices.
Contra
- Strictly two-player; no multiplayer option.
- Blend of deduction and dice may feel unforgiving for inexperienced players.
Setting & atmosphere
Fantasy setting: you are an Adventurers Guild applicant who must explore a rival's dungeon while building one for them to traverse. The theme frames the tension between exploration and deception.
Tips for beginners
Use paper notes to track revealed information and test simple hypotheses first; that helps mitigate unlucky dice results.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. Lairs is designed specifically for two players (players.min = 2).
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 60 minutes; allow that time including setup and explanations.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with deduction or puzzle games is beneficial due to Grid Movement and Paper-and-Pencil mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
Lairs stands out by combining active labyrinth construction with direct exploration and deduction, rather than being purely deduction-focused.
Is this suitable for families?
Suitable from age 10, but best for families with some tabletop experience given the tactical and deductive elements.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Deduction, Modular Board design and Paper-and-Pencil tracking is the defining mechanic mix.
Fazit
Lairs offers a compact, tactical two-player duel that merges dungeon-building and deduction. Recommended for players seeking focused head-to-head puzzle play; less so for groups wanting multiplayer variety.
Lairs at your next game night?
Add Lairs to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Lairs to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
