Here to Slay
Here to Slay, designed by Ramy Badie and published by Unstable Games in 2020, brings competitive fantasy adventure to the card game format. Created by the team behind Unstable Unicorns, this game combines party building with monster slaying and player sabotage. Supporting 2-6 players aged 10 and up with games lasting 30-60 minutes, Here to Slay offers accessible strategic gameplay with a lighthearted fantasy theme.
Here to Slay Overview
Players assemble a party of heroes to defeat monsters while disrupting their opponents’ plans. The game uses an action point system where each turn provides three points to spend on drawing cards, playing heroes, equipping items, casting magic, or attacking monsters.
Victory comes through two paths: slay three monsters or build a complete party featuring six different hero classes. This dual win condition creates tension as players must balance offense against defense while watching their opponents’ progress.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Ramy Badie |
| Publisher | Unstable Games / TeeTurtle |
| Year Released | 2020 |
| Players | 2-6 |
| Age Range | 10+ |
| Playing Time | 30-60 minutes |
| Game Type | Party / Family Card Game |
| Complexity Rating | 1.68 / 5 (Light) |
What’s in the Here to Slay Box
The game includes 115 standard-sized cards in the main deck containing heroes, items, magic spells, modifiers, and challenge cards. Fifteen oversized monster cards provide the primary targets for victory.
Six oversized party leader cards give each player a unique starting character with special abilities. Two six-sided dice handle the game’s roll-based mechanics. Reference cards help new players track available actions during their turns.
The artwork by Ramy Badie features cute animal characters in fantasy roles. Bears, cats, foxes, and other creatures appear as warriors, wizards, and rogues. Card quality is suitable for regular play, though sleeving is recommended for frequent sessions.
Here to Slay Pros and Cons
- Easy to learn with a 10-minute teach time
- Two victory paths create strategic choices
- Challenge cards add direct player interaction
- Appealing artwork attracts casual players
- Scales well from 2 to 6 players
- Quick setup gets games started fast
- Dice rolls can feel frustrating when luck turns against you
- Player elimination not possible but falling behind feels bad
- Some card combinations create imbalanced situations
- Higher player counts extend game length significantly
- Limited strategic depth for experienced gamers
How to Play Here to Slay
Setup
Shuffle the monster cards and reveal three face-up in the center. Shuffle the main deck separately. Each player chooses a party leader and receives five cards from the main deck. The party leader counts toward your class collection but cannot be destroyed or stolen.
Turn Structure
Each turn provides three action points. One-point actions include drawing a card, playing a hero card, equipping an item, or casting magic. Attacking a monster costs two action points. Discarding your entire hand to draw five new cards costs all three points.
Hero abilities require dice rolls to activate. Roll two dice and meet or exceed the target number to trigger the effect. Failed rolls still consume your action point. Each hero can only attempt their ability once per turn.
Challenge Cards
When an opponent plays a hero, item, or magic card, you may play a challenge card to contest it. Both players roll two dice. If the challenger wins, the target card goes to the discard pile. If the original player wins, their card takes effect normally. Only one challenge is allowed per card played.
Winning the Game
Slay three monsters by meeting their party requirements and succeeding on dice rolls. Alternatively, assemble six different hero classes in your party including your party leader. The six classes are Fighter, Guardian, Ranger, Thief, Wizard, and Bard.
Where to Buy Here to Slay
| Retailer | Availability |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Base game and expansions |
| Target | Base game |
| Noble Knight Games | Base game and expansions |
| Unstable Games Website | Direct from publisher |
| BoardGameGeek Marketplace | New and used copies |
Here to Slay Game Mechanics
The action point system gives players meaningful choices each turn. Spending points on card draw builds future options while playing cards advances your position immediately. This resource management creates turn-by-turn decisions without complex accounting.
Dice rolling determines hero ability success and monster attack outcomes. Modifier cards let players adjust rolls up or down, adding a layer of hand management. Saving modifiers for critical moments becomes essential strategy.
The challenge system creates direct interaction between players. Unlike games where you build in isolation, Here to Slay encourages watching opponents and timing your interruptions. This mechanic distinguishes the game from simpler card games that lack player conflict.
Item cards attach to heroes providing ongoing bonuses. Cursed items can target opponents’ heroes, offering another avenue for sabotage. Only one item attaches per hero, forcing decisions about optimal equipment distribution.
Who Should Play Here to Slay
Casual gamers and families will appreciate the accessible rules and charming presentation. The game works well as a gateway title for groups new to hobby board games. Players who enjoy Unstable Unicorns will find familiar mechanics with a fantasy twist.
Groups seeking light competitive interaction should consider Here to Slay. The challenge cards and sabotage options create memorable moments without harsh consequences. Game nights wanting something between pure party games and heavy strategy will find it fits well.
Experienced gamers looking for deep tactical decisions may find the luck factor frustrating. The dice-heavy mechanics mean even good plays can fail. Those preferring deterministic outcomes should look toward strategy board games with less randomness.
FAQ
Is Here to Slay good for beginners?
Here to Slay works excellently for beginners. The rules take about 10 minutes to explain, and reference cards help new players remember their options. The cute artwork and simple turn structure make it approachable for players aged 10 and up.
How long does Here to Slay take to play?
Games typically run 30-60 minutes depending on player count. Two-player games finish faster around 30 minutes. Full six-player sessions can stretch toward the hour mark as more challenges and interactions occur between turns.
What is the best player count for Here to Slay?
Three to four players provides the best experience. This count balances interaction with reasonable game length. Two players works but reduces the sabotage element. Six players adds chaos but extends playtime considerably.
Is Here to Slay worth buying?
For groups wanting light competitive card games with cute artwork and player interaction, Here to Slay delivers good value. Multiple expansions add variety for those who enjoy the base game. Skip it if your group dislikes luck-based mechanics.
What games are similar to Here to Slay?
Unstable Unicorns shares the same designer and similar mechanics. Munchkin offers comparable fantasy humor with more complex rules. Happy Little Dinosaurs provides another light competitive card game from the same publisher family.
