About Thwarts the Game
Our History
Created in our loungeroom on October 2023, Thwarts is the brainchild of Chloe Cooper and Arrow Thiele-Cooper and their mum Caspa Thiele.
Thwarts began as a spark of inspiration in our family. My 11-year-old daughter, Chloe, was watching a cartoon about chess when she had an idea—what if we created our own game, combining the strategic depth of chess with the excitement of chance and the fun of fantasy creatures? As a family, we started brainstorming and playtesting different game mechanics. Our goal was to create a game that was fast-paced and exciting, but still offered a deep strategic experience. After much experimentation, Thwarts took shape—a game where chance, strategy, and a touch of magic come together to create an unforgettable gaming experience
In Thwarts, each player commands a diverse army of 28 fantasy-themed pieces, ranging from powerful Necromancers to valiant Paladins. The gameplay is centered around a 16x16 board, where players must strategically position their pieces and navigate the ever-changing tides of battle. What sets Thwarts apart is its unique blend of chance and strategy. Each turn, players roll two dice to determine not only how many moves they can make, but also which class of piece they can move. The addition of dice adds an element of unpredictability, making every game a fresh and exciting experience
One of the standout mechanics in Thwarts is the special rule for Rulers—unlike other pieces, attacking a Ruler requires a battle die roll, adding an extra layer of tension to these crucial encounters. Another exciting aspect of Thwarts is the Necromancer's ability to resurrect fallen pieces. By rolling a special resurrection die, players can bring back a piece from the void, but only if the roll corresponds to a piece that has been removed from the board. This ability adds a strategic element to the game, as players must weigh the risks and benefits of attempting a resurrection.
In Thwarts, victory can be achieved in one of two ways. The first is by eliminating all of your opponent's pieces, a classic strategy game objective. However, Thwarts adds an exciting twist with the second victory condition—if all of a player's other pieces have been removed from the board, they can still win by successfully guiding their remaining Paladins to the opposite side of the board. Thwarts offers a unique gaming experience that combines the best elements of classic strategy games with the unpredictability of chance. With its diverse array of pieces, engaging mechanics, and thrilling victory conditions, Thwarts promises to keep players on the edge of their seats.