Bonduc Hartwynn once ruled the northern kingdom with unmatched devotion to his people—and an equally unmatched appetite for women. For four years after the Storm brought Kao and the Tournament of Kings began, Bonduc reigned as its champion. When illness struck, Bonduc’s strength faltered, and he called for a tournament exclusively for his bastards, intending to name a successor should his death prove imminent. As his sickness worsened, it twisted into madness, and the King of Hearts attempted to end his own life by slamming his head onto a dagger. Kao intervened with magic to stop the act, but Florian, the victor of the Tournament of Bastards, interrupted. In the chaos, Bonduc’s head struck the blade, and a surge of wild magic coursed through the room. Bonduc died—but did not rest. From that moment, the Bone King rose, his unlife born from tragedy and magic gone awry.
Imposing in life, Bonduc continues to tower over his opponents at 7'2" tall and weights 350 lbs. Over the course of four years, he created Gravemaker from the bones of his failed minions and has found a new home in a newly formed dungeon a few days' trek from Harwynn Castle. He spends much of his time scouring the countryside for fresh minions to add to his army. His chattering armor formed around him as he wandered aimlessly across the war-torn land. Now, only the dead answer his call.
Imposing in life, Bonduc continues to tower over his opponents at 7'2" tall and weights 350 lbs. Over the course of four years, he created Gravemaker from the bones of his failed minions and has found a new home in a newly formed dungeon a few days' trek from Harwynn Castle. He spends much of his time scouring the countryside for fresh minions to add to his army. His chattering armor formed around him as he wandered aimlessly across the war-torn land. Now, only the dead answer his call.
Strategies to Consider
The Bone King isn’t just playing the game—he’s recycling it. While other kings burn through their shields, exhaust their resources, and die gloriously, you are patiently harvesting their remains to fuel your unstoppable army of the dead. You are a relentless force, siphoning shields, reviving dominoes, and slowly becoming unkillable as you drain your enemies dry. Every broken shield only makes you stronger, and your foes will realize—too late—that you cannot be stopped. You should always, ALWAYS pay attention to the dominoes that pass into the Graveyard. If you can earn the Lich, Wights or even Skeleton Mages, you'll be stronger for adding them to your Bone Rack, and you have the means of taking them as your own.
Undead General
Build your undead army as quickly as possible. If you're lucky enough to be the first in the Path of Prestige, or to keep your shield until your first turn, raise it immediately during your +FX. Then, during your domino stage you can pull another domino and start getting to work. Try to keep quiet about your necromantic intentions, but people will notice. If your enemies keep at you, which they love to do, break out your L-2: Death Chant to convert THEIR shields into your minions and build a hardcore shield and army from the Graveyard with some lucky roller's choice rolls. Keep your army up as long as possible and reap the benefits. If your opponents start picking them off, keep replacing them from your shield. If they're attacking your minions, then they aren't attacking you and you can rip them to shreds while their focus is on your expendables. Properly timed and executed, your enemies will be forced to make a choice: Do they attack you knowing you will draw new shields each round that can feed your army? Do they attack your minions leaving you free to cause unanswered attacks? No matter what they pick - you win.
Gravekeeper
Gradually build your undead army. Be routine about it, play it off, become friendly and coerce your enemies to attack your enemies. Open some doors for "allies" with your L-1: Bone Splinter. Each round that passes where you keep your shield, is a new round that you can add to your Bone Rack. If the dominoes get low quickly, which they tend to do with you around, enlighten the battlefield with your L-1: Grandeur ability. This can be a wonderful late-game bargaining chip that can place dominoes back into the King's Guard pouch for "allies" to gain shields, while simultaneously granting you a potentially powerful undead minion. Late game, you're seeking those 5/5 & 5/6 Wights, or the 6/6 Lich minions to bring you raw, unmitigated power. Don't forget to use any "0" Echo minion to increase your strongest minion's sustainability. It's easy to fall into the "bad guy" feel when playing the Bone King, and most people will likely see you as the dark presence that must be defeated, but a little diplomacy, some dad jokes and friendly smile can sometimes distract your enemies long enough for you to grow into the most powerful, power-hungry king in the game. Beware the 3/3: Fracture spell. While the 1/1: Bone Crusher spell can only destroy your shield, the 3/3: Fracture can ruin the best undead army if doubles are rolled. The risk is yours to take.
The Inevitable
If you're not first or second in the Path of Prestige, you will likely not have a domino on your throne by the time your +FX comes around, so don't be in a rush and don't show remorse when you can't summon that minion out of the gate. Bide your time and wait for the dominoes you want. Instead, focus on causing Critical Strikes. You have the greatest opportunity to cause Critical Strikes, so use them to earn Power Crystals, but keep your eyes peeled for any skeletons to show up on the battlefield, but more specifically, the 4/4, 4/5, or 4/6. These Skeleton Mages can offer you subtle bonuses that most people will forget about. When you see one, use your L-2: Death Chant to nab get a Skeleton Mage and an Echo ("0" undead identifier) if available. The mage will give you a huge boost in opportunities to retrieve Power Crystals, and thus, Power Tokens. Putting the Echo on the mage will make him harder to kill, should be be targeted by your enemies. If you must, a Skeleton Archer can increase your damage to help you with Overkill when spiking your enemies with Critical Strikes. When you regain your Power Tokens, the sky is the limit. Punish your enemies with your L-1: Bone splinter, or hold out for another L-2: Death Chant to find that elusive Lich and add it to your undead army. Be sure to move the Echo onto him during your next +FX, the Lich is FAR more valuable than a Skeleton Mage.
Final Thoughts
The Bone King is a slow-burning horror that feeds on the battlefield itself. You don’t rush to victory—you grind your enemies down while becoming stronger with every attack.
Undead General
Build your undead army as quickly as possible. If you're lucky enough to be the first in the Path of Prestige, or to keep your shield until your first turn, raise it immediately during your +FX. Then, during your domino stage you can pull another domino and start getting to work. Try to keep quiet about your necromantic intentions, but people will notice. If your enemies keep at you, which they love to do, break out your L-2: Death Chant to convert THEIR shields into your minions and build a hardcore shield and army from the Graveyard with some lucky roller's choice rolls. Keep your army up as long as possible and reap the benefits. If your opponents start picking them off, keep replacing them from your shield. If they're attacking your minions, then they aren't attacking you and you can rip them to shreds while their focus is on your expendables. Properly timed and executed, your enemies will be forced to make a choice: Do they attack you knowing you will draw new shields each round that can feed your army? Do they attack your minions leaving you free to cause unanswered attacks? No matter what they pick - you win.
Gravekeeper
Gradually build your undead army. Be routine about it, play it off, become friendly and coerce your enemies to attack your enemies. Open some doors for "allies" with your L-1: Bone Splinter. Each round that passes where you keep your shield, is a new round that you can add to your Bone Rack. If the dominoes get low quickly, which they tend to do with you around, enlighten the battlefield with your L-1: Grandeur ability. This can be a wonderful late-game bargaining chip that can place dominoes back into the King's Guard pouch for "allies" to gain shields, while simultaneously granting you a potentially powerful undead minion. Late game, you're seeking those 5/5 & 5/6 Wights, or the 6/6 Lich minions to bring you raw, unmitigated power. Don't forget to use any "0" Echo minion to increase your strongest minion's sustainability. It's easy to fall into the "bad guy" feel when playing the Bone King, and most people will likely see you as the dark presence that must be defeated, but a little diplomacy, some dad jokes and friendly smile can sometimes distract your enemies long enough for you to grow into the most powerful, power-hungry king in the game. Beware the 3/3: Fracture spell. While the 1/1: Bone Crusher spell can only destroy your shield, the 3/3: Fracture can ruin the best undead army if doubles are rolled. The risk is yours to take.
The Inevitable
If you're not first or second in the Path of Prestige, you will likely not have a domino on your throne by the time your +FX comes around, so don't be in a rush and don't show remorse when you can't summon that minion out of the gate. Bide your time and wait for the dominoes you want. Instead, focus on causing Critical Strikes. You have the greatest opportunity to cause Critical Strikes, so use them to earn Power Crystals, but keep your eyes peeled for any skeletons to show up on the battlefield, but more specifically, the 4/4, 4/5, or 4/6. These Skeleton Mages can offer you subtle bonuses that most people will forget about. When you see one, use your L-2: Death Chant to nab get a Skeleton Mage and an Echo ("0" undead identifier) if available. The mage will give you a huge boost in opportunities to retrieve Power Crystals, and thus, Power Tokens. Putting the Echo on the mage will make him harder to kill, should be be targeted by your enemies. If you must, a Skeleton Archer can increase your damage to help you with Overkill when spiking your enemies with Critical Strikes. When you regain your Power Tokens, the sky is the limit. Punish your enemies with your L-1: Bone splinter, or hold out for another L-2: Death Chant to find that elusive Lich and add it to your undead army. Be sure to move the Echo onto him during your next +FX, the Lich is FAR more valuable than a Skeleton Mage.
Final Thoughts
The Bone King is a slow-burning horror that feeds on the battlefield itself. You don’t rush to victory—you grind your enemies down while becoming stronger with every attack.
- You steal shields.
- You recycle dominoes.
- You summon minions.
THE PALADIN IS ARRIVING IN 2025!
Unleash Divine Justice—The Paladin Arrives!"
Prepare to stand tall against the forces of darkness with the Paladin, coming soon to your battlefield! A beacon of hope and strength, the Paladin wields unmatched Devotion, boosting their defense and adding extra damage to their attacks while offering healing to allies in need.
With Turn Undead, smite the undead and heal yourself as you rid the world of evil. When the time is right, call upon Glory’s Wrath to add extra power to your strikes, bringing righteous fury to every battle. And with Righteous Hymn, you can heal and refresh your strength, turning the tide in any confrontation. The Paladin stands firm in the face of danger, a protector and a warrior, ready to guide your team to victory. Will you answer the call for justice? The Paladin is ready to lead—coming soon!
Prepare to stand tall against the forces of darkness with the Paladin, coming soon to your battlefield! A beacon of hope and strength, the Paladin wields unmatched Devotion, boosting their defense and adding extra damage to their attacks while offering healing to allies in need.
With Turn Undead, smite the undead and heal yourself as you rid the world of evil. When the time is right, call upon Glory’s Wrath to add extra power to your strikes, bringing righteous fury to every battle. And with Righteous Hymn, you can heal and refresh your strength, turning the tide in any confrontation. The Paladin stands firm in the face of danger, a protector and a warrior, ready to guide your team to victory. Will you answer the call for justice? The Paladin is ready to lead—coming soon!