Nidavellir
Nidavellir explained: simultaneous tavern bids, dwarf classes, heroes, coin-building and end-game bravery scoring.
Secretly assign coins to three taverns, reveal all bids and draft dwarf cards from each tavern in descending bid order.
Dwarf classes score differently, while collecting complete class rows attracts Heroes. The zero-value coin also drives the game’s coin-building upgrade system.
Why We Love It
Nidavellir makes bidding part of engine growth. Coins are not spent, so the real resource is the relative strength and distribution of your bid values across future taverns.
About Nidavellir
Secretly assign coins to three taverns, reveal all bids and draft dwarf cards from each tavern in descending bid order.
Dwarf classes score differently, while collecting complete class rows attracts Heroes. The zero-value coin also drives the game’s coin-building upgrade system.
Game at a Glance
Bid on Taverns
Assign one coin to each tavern before revealing.
Recruit Dwarves
Higher bids choose earlier from each tavern.
Upgrade Coins
The zero coin enables coin-building to improve future bids.
Score Classes
Each dwarf class has its own bravery formula and Hero incentives.
Who Nidavellir suits
Players who want simultaneous bidding with little downtime, set collection and an economy where bid strength evolves instead of being spent.
Rules overview
Each round, secretly assign one coin to each tavern. Reveal bids and resolve taverns in order, with the highest bidder choosing a dwarf first. Completing class diversity can recruit Heroes, and the special zero coin can be used to improve the value of your bidding set.
Key decisions
Editorial analysis: Do not think only about winning the best card in one tavern. Your three bids create a portfolio across the round. Sometimes the right play is to concede one tavern cheaply so you can secure first choice elsewhere while also upgrading a coin.
Common questions
Are bid coins spent?
No. Coins determine draft order and normally return for future rounds.
How long does a game take?
GRRRE Games materials list about 45 minutes, with shorter two-player sessions possible.
Why use the zero coin?
It is central to the coin-building mechanism that can improve your future bidding values.
Related games
Learn Nidavellir in depth
Sources and edition notes
Facts checked September 16, 2026. Strategy sections are editorial analysis based on the identified rules rather than measured win-rate claims.