Bloodborne The Board Game is a faithful and run adaptation of the hit video game, and comes with four expansions to add even more Yharnam adventures. Here are all of the Bloodborne The Board Game expansions, ranked.
Please note that I will be excluding kickstarter exclusive expansions from this list, as it would be unfair to rank them alongside the commercially available ones. For any completionists out there, your only hope is to get them second hand, I’m afraid.
1. Forsaken Cainhurst Castle
The Forsaken Cainhurst Castle expansion for Bloodborne The Board Game is one of two expansions that adds two new campaigns and a side chapter that can be integrated into any other campaign in the franchise. However, the theme, choices, and the inclusion of my sweet darling boy Alfred, this one takes the top spot.
After playing the first chapter of Forsaken Cainhurst Castle, the players will have a choice in picking a side in an ancient conflict. This will dictate the following narrative and conflicts, although both paths are interesting and fun to play.
Traversing the complicated and interestingly constructed tiles of Cainhurst Castle was fun in itself, and the peculiar and haunting quests that must be completed allowed for a gripping and thematic experience. Although the general roster of enemies aren’t the most interesting of all the Bloodborne The Board Game expansions, I found the narrative, quests, and layout to be the most enticing.
The bosses are also awesome, with both Annalise and Martyr Logarius posing some serious threats in their fights. Upon completing one of the campaigns, I instantly wanted to play again on the other side. The extra side chapter is also something I keep hoping to come across in every other game I play.
2. Forbidden Woods
Like Forsaken Castle Cainhurst, Forbidden Woods comes with two full campaigns and a side chapter that can be played in any other Bloodborne The Board Game campaign. The murky and dangerous woods provides a great change of pace, and the enemies here are likely my favorite in all of the expansions.
The terrain tiles here really makes me feel as though I’m in unwelcome and mysterious territory, and the venomous and foul enemies are both a dread and a joy to fight. My friend and I only just managed to get past chapter one after passing all our other games with relative ease.
Although the theme and narratives I never found quite as interesting as in Forsaken Cainhurst Castle, this expansion stuck out to me a little more during play. CMON nailed the environmental and immersive element of traveling the awful woods without any idea of what’s to come next.
The bosses here are great, although I dreaded the forsaken giant board much, much more. As with Cainhurst’s side chapter, I looked forward to playing the Forbidden Woods side chapter in all future campaigns.
3. Chalice Dungeon
The Chalice Dungeon expansion for Bloodborne The Board Game adds a huge deal of content and provides two new ways of playing the game. With a whole new tile set, new hunters, and many new enemies, the Chalice Dungeons of Yharnam will provide exciting and toothier one-shots.
The goal in these sessions are simple. To work with or against other players to find the dungeon’s boss and eliminate it. With five new bosses and seven new enemies, as well as being compatible with any assortment of bosses and enemies from other campaigns, the Chalice Dungeon allows you to go all-in with the exciting action that Bloodborne The Board Game provides.
Additionally, traps will provide additional challenges, which the PvP mode will only further exacerbate. Engaging in awfully tense and dreadful fights as you work your way to the boss never gets boring and is always personal.
Some of the bosses here are simply incredible, and the tile sets are the coolest of the lot, in my opinion, anyway.
4. Hunter’s Dream
The Hunter’s Dream expansion for Bloodborne The Board Game adds an extra fourth chapter that you can add to any existing campaign. With the hunt being over, you and your party return to the dream, but for something to be quite amiss.
This extra chapter is full of great surprises and fights, including a secret fight that can only be earned through being rigorous with your questing. Through this chapter, you’ll be fighting other hunters and will be traveling to The Workshop at its climax for answers.
I had a great time playing this expansion, and the extra hunter minibosses can be added to any other chapter for an emergent surprise that will get you a tough but rewarding fight. This is something I incorporate into all future chapters, as it’s fun, challenging, and certainly daunting.
As much as I love the Hunter’s Dream expansion for Bloodborne The Board Game, it doesn’t quite have the replay-ability of the above expansions, but is a personal strong recommendation. It does have enough interesting events for you to want to play a second time, however. But that’s all I’ll say.
With these Bloodborne The Board Game expansions explained and ranked, all you’ve got to do now is pick one to have a fantastic game night.
Published: Aug 17, 2024 09:36 am