[Solo] Barbarian Prince Ultimate Edition 2024

[The Soloist]

I'm really enjoying the new optional rules of this classic game published in 1981. Four different ways to win instead of just one. Luck points. One Advantage Feat at the start of the game and one Combat tactic. You can now earn XPs and then buy other Combat tactics. They also added new events. Hopefully, my Barbarian will fare better than my 15-year-old self did in 1981. It's a very random and lethal game.

WEEK ONE
Day 1 Cal Arath, the prince, survived the coup against his father and fled south via the Jakor ruins (Hex901). He crossed the Tragoth River safely. In the Countryside (Hex902) he met a swordsman mercenary but did not hire him, not wanting to spend his 4 gold. The two parted ways amicably. The barbarian hunted for food and killed a boar, providing 9 food units. The day ends without spending Luck points. A good day despite the circumstances.

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You can legally download the 4 Ultimate files on BGG if you want to try it.
Link:

Barbarian Prince

Retake your Northlands throne as you become Cal Arath, the Barbarian Prince!

boardgamegeek.com

 

[The Soloist]

Day 2 Cal Arath travels without getting lost in a forest (Hex903). There, he has to fight a dangerous giant lizard (e164) without the possibility of escape! The barbarian wins but has only one Endurance point left. (-1 food = 7)

Day 3 The Barbarian heals one wound (2). It’s too risky to travel. He decides to stay put. There is an event. The prince discovers he slept meters away from a campsite (e503). It’s a small altar with a (e186) magic sword floating above. The barbarian doesn’t approach the altar. He is fearful of possible traps or magic spells. (-1 food = 6, +1 endurance).



Days 4 and 5 are uneventful. (-2 food = 4, +2 endurance)

Day 6 is unventful. Cal Arath now has 4 Endurance. He decides to approach the altar. He takes 1 point of fire damage but is only halfway. He can retreat or risk it. Cal Arath moves forward and takes another 2 points of damage but takes the sword in his hand. It is a magical sword +1, and its damage is considered poisonous. The Barbarian goes to sleep with only 1 Endurance point. It was worth it. (-1 food = 3).



Day 7 With only 1 Endurance, the barbarian decides to stay put again. No event. Cal Arath hunts, and catches two rabbits (+2 food rations = 5, -1 for the day = 4, +1 endurance = 2). One week has passed since he fled the kingdom. Only nine weeks remain before it’s too late to overthrow the usurper.

 

[Wofano Wotanto]

Nice to see an old classic revisited and updated. The Dragon Rage reprint/upgrade was also pretty great (a whole second city map was awesome) but it doesn't look like there's ever going to be another print run, which is pretty annoying.

Wonder if we'll see Star Smuggler get a similar treatment at some point.

 

[The Soloist]

Nice to see an old classic revisited and updated. The Dragon Rage reprint/upgrade was also pretty great (a whole second city map was awesome) but it doesn't look like there's ever going to be another print run, which is pretty annoying.

Wonder if we'll see Star Smuggler get a similar treatment at some point.

All it takes is an enthusiastic fan who creates it. I never played either of those games, but I have the Star Smuggler pdf. I should give it a spin in 2025.

 

[Wofano Wotanto]

All it takes is an enthusiastic fan who creates it. I never played either of those games, but I have the Star Smuggler pdf. I should give it a spin in 2025.

It always felt like more of a sandbox to me than Barbarian Prince, although the official win condition is rather bland by comparison. If you keep playing past the "enough money to retire comfortably" stage you can do some amusingly wonky stuff though.

 

[The Soloist]

WEEK TWO
Cal Arath begins the second week of his quest with 2 endurance points, 4 food portions, 4 gold and a +1 magical sword. He earned 27 experience points so far.

Day 8 The barbarian enters hills (Hex904). Not lost. No event. Hunt fails. (-1 food = 3, +1 endurance 3)

Day 9 Cal Arath arrives at the town of Cumry (Hex 1004). Not lost. A guard patrol intercepts him but talks his way out of it. In town, he Seeks News & Info. The barbarian learns there is a ruin (2) hexes away in the mountains (Hex804). Cal spends one gold (4-1 = 3) to sleep at the inn but eats his food. (-1 food = 2, +2 endurance because he slept indoors = 5).

Day 10 Cal begins his journey toward the ruins, hoping to find gold and other riches. Not lost. He enters the countryside (Hex905). No event. He hunts and kills a deer (+5 food portions = 7, -1 for the day = 6, +1 endurance = 6). The Barbarian is hopeful when he goes to sleep.

Day 11 Cal becomes lost (but I use a Luck point) to re-roll. The barbarian enters the mountains (Hex804). No event. He finds the ruins and searches the area (e064). There is a minor treasure (e140), a small magic box that can only be opened by a mage or a wizard! Cal will need to hire a spell caster. (-1 food = 5, endurance 7).

Day 12 Cal decides to search the ruin once again. There is an event. Goblins (e052). Two goblins and a hobgoblin. Cal attacks them by surprise, targets the hobgoblin leader and inflicts four wounds. He has the first strike. The barbarian swings his magical sword again and kills the hobgoblin. The goblins miss. They die quickly. (+21 XPs). During his search, Cal finds a treasure chest (e039). It is trapped! (Roll 6) The trap malfunctions! No wound. It contains 60 gold! (-1 food = 4, endurance eight).

Day 13 Cal returns to the countryside (Hex905). No event. (-1 food = 3, endurance 9 max).

Day 14 Cal returns to the town of Cumry. (Hex1004). The local constabulary wants to talk to Cal (roll 6+2 since he didn't escape the town last visit = eight). They let him go. Cal spends his day at the market but buys nothing. He rents a room (-1 gold = 62, -1 food = 2).

An excellent week! Cal Arath dreams of retaking the throne.

 

[The Soloist]

WEEK THREE

Day 15 Alas, Cal Arath is dead. He was attacked by a pack of wolves as he travelled the countryside in search of a wizard to open his magical box. This game is fun but deadly and very random. Give it a try. Maybe one day I will win! LOL

 

[niemer05]

This is awesome lol. I'm glad people are still playing this game. I actually JUST found it not long ago and have the 42nd Anniversary Edition. I'm currently playing my first playthrough and my starting location was the ruins of Jakor's Keep. I've spent a couple days here searching, and found some gold and poison drug for my sword, so that's cool! My question is: how do I leave?!? I just want to make sure I'm doing the correct checks for traveling out of the keep / crossing the river

 

[The Soloist]

This is awesome lol. I'm glad people are still playing this game. I actually JUST found it not long ago and have the 42nd Anniversary Edition. I'm currently playing my first playthrough and my starting location was the ruins of Jakor's Keep. I've spent a couple days here searching, and found some gold and poison drug for my sword, so that's cool! My question is: how do I leave?!? I just want to make sure I'm doing the correct checks for traveling out of the keep / crossing the river

Cool!
Look at the rule r204. It explains the travel rules in detail. Good luck and don't get lost! ;-)

 

[niemer05]

I think what I'm not sure on, is the River Crossing chart says: Roll on terrain table before crossing table / Roll on terrain table after crossing river.