🩸 Blood Rage Board Game – Complete Guide

Blood Rage is one of the most popular modern board games, designed by Eric M. Lang and published by CMON. This Viking board game combines card drafting, area control, and combat mechanics, offering a highly thematic experience set during Ragnarök, the end of the world in Norse mythology. In this complete guide, you’ll learn the rules, strategies, expansions, and why Blood Rage is considered a must-play in the hobby board game community.

🎲 Blood Rage Board Game Details

Designer: Eric M. Lang
Artist: Adrian Smith
Publisher: CMON Limited
Year Published: 2015
Players: 2–4 (5 with expansion)
Playtime: 60–90 minutes
Recommended Age: 14+
Average Rating: ⭐ 8.0 / 10 (BoardGameGeek)

⚔️ How to Play Blood Rage

Blood Rage is played over three Ages. Each Age begins with card drafting, followed by a series of actions:

Pillaging – Conquer provinces to earn rewards.
Upgrading – Improve your clan, recruit monsters, or gain special powers.
Quests – Complete hidden objectives for glory points.
Ragnarök – Provinces are destroyed each Age, reducing the playable map and raising tension.

The player with the most glory points at the end of the third Age wins. Glory can be earned through battles, quests, pillaging, or even by losing warriors gloriously and sending them to Valhalla.

📦 Blood Rage Components

49 detailed Viking miniatures (Warriors, Leaders, Ships)
Mythical monsters (Trolls, Serpents, Fire Giants)
Province game board with modular destruction
Clan sheets, tokens, and Age decks (I, II, III)

🛡️ Blood Rage Expansions

Gods of Ásgard – Adds Norse gods that alter gameplay.
5th Player Expansion – Extends the game to five players.
Monsters of Midgard – Introduces new mythical creatures.
Kickstarter Exclusives – Special miniatures and upgrades for collectors.

🧠 Blood Rage Strategy Tips

Draft smart – Build synergies between quests, upgrades, and monsters.
Valhalla is powerful – Don’t fear losing battles; dying gloriously can bring big rewards.
Adapt to Ragnarök – Plan around destroyed provinces and shifting opportunities.
Balance aggression and economy – Sometimes retreating and regrouping is smarter than fighting.

🌌 Theme & Norse Mythology

Blood Rage is deeply rooted in Norse mythology. Each Age brings the world closer to destruction, with gods, monsters, and epic quests shaping the fate of Viking clans. The game rewards both victory in battle and glorious death, echoing the values of Viking warriors.

❓ Blood Rage FAQ

Is Blood Rage good for beginners?

Yes, Blood Rage is accessible to new players but has enough depth to satisfy experienced gamers.

What type of board game is Blood Rage?

It’s a mix of area control, card drafting, and strategy combat.

How long does a game of Blood Rage take?

Typically 60–90 minutes depending on player count.

How many players can play Blood Rage?

2–4 players (5 with the expansion).