Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Cooperative Deck Building Card Game

1. Introduction

The Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Cooperative Deck Building Card Game invites 2 to 4 players, aged 11 and up, to defend the wizarding world from evil forces. This game features seven successive game adventures, each increasing in difficulty, as players build their decks with over 140 cards to battle Villains and unlock new abilities, secrets, and challenges. The game is designed for cooperative play, where players work together to secure Hogwarts Castle and defeat You-Know-Who.

2. Components

The game includes a variety of components essential for gameplay:

• Game Board: The central playing area representing Hogwarts.
• Game Cards: Over 140 cards including Hero cards, Dark Arts cards, Villain cards, Location cards, Item cards, Ally cards, and Spell cards.
• Game Tokens: Influence tokens (coins), Attack tokens (lightning bolts), Villain Control tokens (skulls), and Health tokens (hearts).
• Hogwarts Dice: Custom dice used for various game effects.
• Player Boards: Individual boards for tracking Hero health and other stats.

Image: Back of the game box, illustrating various game components and their functions.

3. Setup

Follow these steps to set up your game for the first adventure:

1. Place the Game Board: Unfold the game board and place it in the center of your playing area.
2. Choose Your Hero: Each player selects a Hero (Harry, Hermione, Ron, or Neville) and takes their corresponding Player Board, starting deck, and Health tokens.
3. Prepare the Dark Arts Deck: Shuffle the Dark Arts cards for the current game (Game 1 starts with specific cards) and place them face down on the designated space on the game board.
4. Prepare the Villain Deck: Shuffle the Villain cards for the current game and place them face down on the designated space. Reveal the top Villain card.
5. Set Up Locations: Place the starting Location card (e.g., Diagon Alley for Game 1) on its designated space.
6. Create the Hogwarts Deck: Shuffle the Hogwarts cards (Items, Allies, Spells) for the current game and place them face down. Reveal the top 6 cards to form the Hogwarts Row.
7. Distribute Tokens: Place Influence, Attack, and Villain Control tokens within easy reach of all players.

Image: An overhead view of the game board fully set up, showing card decks, locations, and token areas.

4. Gameplay

The game proceeds in turns, with players working together to defeat Villains and secure Locations. Each player's turn consists of the following phases:

1. Dark Arts Phase: Reveal and resolve Dark Arts event cards. These cards typically cause Heroes to lose Health or suffer other negative effects.
2. Hero Phase: Play Hogwarts cards (Items, Allies, Spells) from your hand to gain Influence, Attack, and other abilities. Use Influence to acquire new cards from the Hogwarts Row, and use Attack to damage Villains.
3. End of Turn: Discard any remaining cards and draw five new cards for your next turn.

The game is won when all Villains are defeated and all Locations are secured. The game is lost if all Locations are controlled by Villains or if all Heroes are stunned simultaneously.

Image: A close-up of a player board, illustrating the health tracker, stun mechanic, and various card types in play.

Image: Players interacting with the game board and cards during a game session.

5. Game Progression

The game is structured into seven distinct adventures, or 'Books', each representing a year at Hogwarts. Players begin with Game 1 and progress sequentially. Each new game introduces:

• New Hero abilities and starting decks.
• More powerful Villains and Dark Arts events.
• Additional Locations to secure.
• New Item, Ally, and Spell cards for the Hogwarts Deck.

This progressive difficulty ensures continued engagement and strategic depth as players master the game mechanics.

6. Strategy Tips

Effective teamwork and strategic planning are crucial for success:

• Communicate: Discuss your hand and planned actions with your teammates to maximize efficiency and avoid redundant efforts.
• Balance Offense and Defense: Prioritize defeating Villains and securing Locations, but don't neglect healing Heroes and mitigating Dark Arts effects.
• Deck Building: Focus on acquiring cards that synergize with your Hero's abilities and your team's overall strategy. Removing weaker starting cards can streamline your deck.
• Token Management: Pay attention to Villain Control tokens on Locations. If a Location gains too many, it is lost, bringing the team closer to defeat.

7. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity of your game components:

• Card Care: Handle cards with clean, dry hands. Consider sleeving cards that are frequently shuffled or handled to prevent wear and tear.
• Storage: Store all components in the original box in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Ensure cards are stacked neatly to prevent bending.
• Cleaning: Wipe down plastic tokens and the game board with a soft, dry cloth if necessary. Avoid abrasive cleaners or excessive moisture.

8. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during gameplay:

• Missing Components: Check all packaging thoroughly. If components are still missing, contact USAOPOLY customer support.
• Rules Clarification: Refer to the official rulebook included with the game. Online forums and fan communities can also provide helpful interpretations.
• Game Difficulty: If the game is too easy or too hard, ensure you are using the correct cards and rules for the current game number. Adjusting house rules (e.g., starting health, number of cards drawn) can also modify difficulty.

9. Specifications

10. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, replacement parts, or further assistance, please refer to the contact information provided in the game's packaging or visit the official USAOPOLY website. Keep your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.