CMON Metal Gear Solid The Board Game Instruction Manual

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game. This manual provides detailed instructions for setting up and playing the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in a tactical stealth experience. Players will take on the roles of iconic characters to infiltrate enemy territory, avoid patrols, and complete critical missions to prevent global threats.

This game features a 14-mission campaign and 6 standalone VR Missions, offering diverse challenges and strategic depth. Prepare for a tabletop experience that captures the essence of the Metal Gear Solid universe.

What's in the Box

Your CMON Metal Gear Solid The Board Game includes the following components:

• 1 Rulebook
• 186 Tokens
• 1 Campaign Book
• 176 Cards
• 1 VR Missions Book
• 14 Dice
• 14 Game Tiles
• 13 Dashboards
• 24 Miniatures

Image: All game components, including the rulebook, game tiles, character dashboards, cards, and miniatures.

Components Overview

Familiarize yourself with the various game components:

Miniatures

The game includes 24 detailed miniatures representing iconic characters and enemies. These are used on the game tiles to represent character positions and interactions.

Image: Character miniatures including Solid Snake, Meryl, and Gray Fox.

Image: Additional miniatures including Revolver Ocelot, Otacon, and the iconic cardboard box.

Cards and Tokens

A variety of cards and tokens are used for equipment, events, and tracking game states. Equipment cards provide characters with special abilities and items.

Image: Equipment cards, including starting equipment for characters and various items.

Image: Additional game cards, featuring character-related abilities and tactical options.

Game Tiles and Dashboards

The 14 game tiles form the modular playing area, representing different locations within the Shadow Moses Island facility. Character dashboards track individual character stats, health, and equipped items.

Setup

Follow these steps to set up your game:

1. Choose a Mission: Select a mission from the Campaign Book or a VR Mission from the VR Missions Book. Each mission will specify the required game tiles and initial setup.
2. Assemble the Game Board: Arrange the specified game tiles according to the mission's layout instructions.
3. Place Tokens and Objectives: Distribute all mission-specific tokens, objective markers, and enemy miniatures as indicated in the mission brief.
4. Select Characters: Each player chooses a character (Solid Snake, Meryl, Otacon, or Gray Fox) and takes their corresponding character dashboard and starting equipment cards. Note that some campaign missions may restrict character choices or player count.
5. Prepare Decks: Shuffle the various game card decks (e.g., Equipment, Event) and place them in their designated areas on the board or near the play area.
6. Initial Placement: Place character miniatures on their starting spaces as per the mission instructions.
7. Read Mission Briefing: Carefully read the mission briefing to understand objectives, special rules, and victory conditions.

Gameplay Overview

Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game is a cooperative stealth and strategy game. Players work together to complete objectives while avoiding detection by enemies.

• Epic Campaign Mode: Engage in a 14-mission narrative campaign that unfolds the story with stealth, strategic choices, and memorable boss encounters.
• Flexible VR Missions: For quicker play, choose from 6 free-to-play VR Missions. These missions offer intense, self-contained challenges and allow you to unlock gear for use in the main campaign.
• Unique Boss Fights: Each boss character presents distinct mechanics and requires specific strategies to overcome, ensuring varied and challenging gameplay.
• Asymmetric Character Abilities: Play as Solid Snake, Meryl, Otacon, or Gray Fox. Each character possesses unique abilities that provide different tactical options and approaches to missions.
• Objective: Save the World: Your primary goal is to infiltrate enemy bases, sabotage prototype weapon systems, and prevent world-ending threats by utilizing stealth, combat, and teamwork.

Characters and Abilities

Each character in Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game brings a unique set of skills and equipment to the mission, encouraging strategic team composition and diverse gameplay approaches.

• Solid Snake: The legendary infiltrator, adept at stealth and combat.
• Meryl Silverburgh: A skilled marksman and tactical support.
Otacon (Hal Emmerich): The brilliant hacker and gadget specialist, providing technological advantages.
• Gray Fox: The cyborg ninja, unparalleled in close-quarters combat and agility.

Players must leverage their character's strengths and coordinate with teammates to overcome obstacles and achieve mission objectives.

Missions

The game offers two primary mission types:

Campaign Missions

The main campaign consists of 14 interconnected missions that tell a compelling story. Progressing through the campaign unlocks new challenges, characters, and narrative elements. Missions often have specific setup requirements, objectives, and victory/defeat conditions detailed in the Campaign Book.

VR Missions

The 6 VR Missions are standalone scenarios designed for quick play and replayability. They offer unique tactical puzzles and combat challenges. Gear earned in VR Missions can be carried over to the campaign, providing an incentive to play them.

Boss Fights

Throughout the campaign, players will encounter iconic boss characters. Each boss fight is a unique encounter with specific rules, attack patterns, and weaknesses. Players must adapt their strategies and utilize their characters' abilities effectively to defeat these powerful adversaries.

Operating (Gameplay Flow)

A typical round of Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game involves several phases:

1. Player Phase: Each player takes their turn, performing actions such as moving, attacking, using equipment, or interacting with objectives. Actions are often determined by dice rolls and character abilities.
2. Enemy Phase: After all players have acted, enemy units on the board activate. Enemies move, patrol, and attack according to their specific AI rules and the mission's threat level.
3. Event Phase: An event card may be drawn, introducing unexpected challenges or opportunities that affect all players.
4. End of Round: Check for mission completion or failure conditions. If neither is met, a new round begins.

Stealth is a critical element. Players must manage line of sight, noise, and enemy patrol routes to avoid detection. Combat is an option, but often carries risks and can alert more enemies.

Maintenance

To ensure the longevity of your board game, follow these maintenance guidelines:

• Storage: Store all components in their designated trays within the original game box to prevent damage and loss. Keep the box in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Handling: Handle cards and tokens carefully to avoid bending, tearing, or excessive wear. Consider sleeving cards for added protection.
• Cleaning: Dust miniatures and game tiles gently with a soft, dry cloth if needed. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
• Miniature Care: If miniatures become bent, they can often be carefully reshaped by gently warming them (e.g., with warm water) and then bending them back into position.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during gameplay, consider the following:

• Rule Clarifications: Refer to the rulebook for detailed explanations of specific mechanics. Many board game communities online (e.g., BoardGameGeek.com) also offer extensive FAQs and forums for rule clarifications.
• Missing Components: If any components are missing upon unboxing, contact CMON customer support with proof of purchase and a description of the missing items.
• Difficulty Adjustments: If the game is too easy or too difficult, review the mission's setup for optional difficulty modifiers or house rules that can be implemented to tailor the experience.

Specifications

Official Product Videos

Warranty and Support

For information regarding product warranty, returns, or technical support, please refer to the contact details provided on the game box or visit the official CMON website. Keep your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.