Catacombs 3E

Game Overview

Catacombs is a dexterity-driven fantasy dungeon crawler set beneath the town of Stormtryne. Players flick wooden discs representing heroes, monsters, fireballs, arrows, and other game elements across game boards to resolve combat.

One player takes the role of the Overseer, controlling the Catacomb Lord and all monsters in the dungeon. Up to four other players control a party of heroes who cooperatively explore rooms, battle monsters, and ultimately face the Catacomb Lord. The game emphasizes quick setup and plays in 60-90 minutes.

Heroes advance through a series of rooms drawn from a deck of 33 Room Cards. Each room presents different monsters and challenges. Heroes earn gold by defeating monsters, which they spend on items and equipment at special rooms like the Merchant. If all heroes die, the Overseer wins. If the heroes defeat the Catacomb Lord in the final battle, the heroes win.

Key Features

Dexterity Combat System

Combat is resolved by physically flicking wooden discs. Players position their finger behind their character disc and flick it across the game board. If the hero disc touches an enemy disc, the attack succeeds and deals damage.

Different shot types create tactical variety. Melee shots require the hero disc to end its movement touching the target. Ranged shots use separate wooden pieces flicked from the hero disc toward enemies. Chain shots can hit multiple targets in sequence. Shield shots reflect enemy attacks back at the attacker.

The system rewards skillful play. Players can bank shots off walls, position heroes behind obstacles for cover, and execute trick shots to hit enemies around corners. Dexterity becomes the primary skill, making physical accuracy as important as strategic planning.

Six Playable Heroes

Four heroes are selected for each game from six available characters. Each hero has a unique wooden disc size, special abilities, and playstyle.

Varesh the Wizard casts spells from a personal spell deck. He can launch fireballs, teleport to safety, and summon familiars. Roosan the Chicken Champion disrupts enemy plans with the Feathers of Fury ability. Elani the Thief can make an additional shot to escape danger and earns extra gold from defeated monsters.

Xoric the Barbarian has the highest health pool and wields the devastating Berserker Battle Axe item, enabling multiple strikes in a single turn. Oleira the Elf shoots from safe distances using her Elven Arrow ability and is assisted by a Spirit Familiar. Marorg the Skeleton Explorer is immune to poison attacks and purchases items at a discount.

For first games, the recommended party is Wizard, Chicken Champion, Thief, and Barbarian.

Four Catacomb Lords

At game start, players choose which Catacomb Lord to face. From weakest to strongest: Vasesak the Sorcerer, Shargila the Gorgon, Hmotha the Lich Lord, and Phoshar the Dragon. The Sorcerer is recommended for new players.

Each Catacomb Lord has unique mechanics and special powers. Vasesak conjures an invulnerable shield for protection. Shargila’s petrifying gaze transforms heroes into stone, killing them instantly. Hmotha summons endless hordes of undead monsters. Phoshar strikes with streams of deadly fireballs.

The Catacomb Lord appears in the final room. Defeating the Lord ends the game with a hero victory.

Room Exploration and Progression

The game progresses through three phases repeated each round. The Setup Phase introduces a new room drawn from the Room Card deck. The Battle Phase involves combat resolved through disc flicking. The Resolution Phase awards gold and prepares for the next room.

Over 30 different Room Cards create thousands of possible dungeon combinations. Battle Rooms spawn specific monsters according to icons on the card. Special Rooms provide services: Althea the Healer restores health, Izchak the Merchant sells items, and the Alewife Tavern offers chance encounters.

Room Cards show which monsters appear and where obstacle pieces are placed. The Overseer arranges obstacles and places monster discs according to the card layout. Heroes then enter from designated positions and battle begins.

Items, Spells, and Equipment

Heroes spend gold at the Merchant to purchase items and equipment. Item Cards provide ongoing abilities or single-use effects. Some items are hero-specific, like the Barbarian’s Berserker Battle Axe. Others like healing potions can be used by any hero.

Spell Cards give the Wizard his magical power. Spells range from offensive fireballs and ice attacks to defensive teleportation and healing magic. The Wizard draws new spells throughout the game, expanding his tactical options.

Ability Cards represent special hero powers used during battle. These cards provide unique advantages based on each hero’s character class and background.

Shot Modifiers and Special Effects

Combat includes numerous shot modifiers that alter attack behavior. Chain shots can hit multiple enemies. Critical shots deal double damage. Poison shots inflict ongoing damage over multiple turns. Stun shots temporarily disable enemies.

Some monsters have defensive properties. Nullifying monsters take reduced damage. Reflecting monsters bounce attacks back at heroes. Shadow monsters become harder to hit.

Advanced shot types add complexity. Target shots allow precise aiming at distant enemies. Teleport shots reposition heroes across the board. Devour shots represent monsters swallowing heroes whole. The Gelatinous Cube monster uses unique mechanics where swallowed heroes must escape from inside the cube.

Components

Catacombs Third Edition includes:

• 4 Hero Player Boards
• 1 Catacomb Lord Player Board
• 12 Hero Rule and Portrait Cards
• 4 Hero Ability Cards
• 16 Hero Item Cards
• 16 Hero Spell Cards
• 12 Catacomb Lord Rule, Portrait, and Setup Cards
• 26 Monster Cards
• 33 Room Cards
• 3 Stunned! Cards
• 1 Teleported! Card
• 15 Poisoned! Cards
• 1 Devoured! Card
• 1 Antient Card
• 6 Hero Pieces (wooden discs in various sizes)
• 2 Catacomb Lord Pieces (wooden discs)
• 51 Monster Family Pieces (wooden discs across 5 families: Mythological, Undead, Dungeon, Vermin, Infernal)
• 6 Obstacle Pieces (wooden)
• 8 Ranged Pieces (wooden projectiles)
• 1 Gelatinous Cube (wooden piece)
• 4 Familiar Pieces (wooden)
• 2 Shield Pieces (wooden)
• 1 Liquid Antient Piece (wooden)
• Health Trackers (6 Hero Trackers, 2 Ally Trackers, 4 Monster Trackers, 2 Catacomb Lord Trackers)
• 2 Target Tokens
• 1 Ruler Token
• 42 Gold Coins
• 10 Platinum Coins (1 platinum = 5 gold)
• 3 Double-Sided Game Boards (Campfire/Altar, Mausoleum/Throne Room, Lava Tube/Root Cellar)
• Elzra's Wall System (10 Wall Segments with 10 Plastic Stands)

The game includes a Tutorial Manual for first-time players and a Reference Manual for complete rules.

Premium Playmat Version

The playmat version includes three double-sided high-quality neoprene playmats in place of the cardboard game boards. The oversized box accommodates expansion content.

Awards & Recognition

Resources

Read the Manual

FAQ and Support

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Purchase at Elzra Canada Shop