Wouter & Ymke 
Legends whisper of the guardians who sculpted the world before sinking into a deep slumber. Those guardians have awakened, posing a threat to the smallfolk of the Foxen tribe. Welcome to Skulk Hollow, a game for two players, where the first clash between the smallfolk and the guardians unfolds.
👥 2 players, ages 12+
⌛ Playing time: 40 minutes
📝 Designers: Eduardo Baraf, Seth Johnson & Keith Matejka
🎨 Artwork: Dustin Foust, Sebastian Koziner & Helen Zhu
🏢 Publisher: Pencil First Games
https://www.pencilfirstgames.com/
🎭 In Skulk Hollow, players take on one of two roles: the guardian, striving to eradicate the disruptive smallfolk, or a band of Foxen heroes, determined to defeat the guardian and protect their people and homes. The game comes with four different guardians to play, each posing a unique challenge. Each player has another victory condition. For the guardian, victory lies in eliminating the Foxen leader or fulfilling their unique win condition. The Foxen heroes, however, win the game by defeating the guardian.
⏳ The gameplay of Skulk Hollow unfolds in turns. Players alternate in taking their turns, starting with the hero player. The game ends instantly as soon as one player meets their win condition. Every turn has two key phases: a Main Phase and a Cleanup Phase. In the Main Phase, players may take as many actions as the limit on their player mat allows. They can play a card, prepare for their next move, or spend power for extra actions. After completing all desired or available actions, the active player moves to the Cleanup Phase. This phase is for allocating power and refilling the player’s hand.
🦊 The Foxen heroes are the smallfolk’s champions, working together to quell the rising guardian threat. Hero players utilize a deck of cards divided into two categories: unit cards and order cards. Unit cards bring additional Foxen heroes to the battlefield, each carrying a unique symbol matching a hero figure. These heroes join the fight on the Skulk Hollow map. Order cards, on the other hand, give instructions to the heroes. These orders enable heroes to move, leap, attack, or gain power.
🏞️ The guardians represent an ancient force awoken to reclaim the world. Each guardian plays differently, having its unique actions and winning conditions. This difference in capabilities means that some guardians are more straightforward to play than others. However, the more complex a guardian plays, the more strategic and challenging the game can become.
🛡️ Similar to the hero player, the guardian player also has a set of general actions they can perform, like moving and gaining power. But beware, if the guardian is dealt enough wounds to fill all the wound spaces on its board, it is eliminated, and the hero player claims victory.
🏁 The game of Skulk Hollow ends abruptly when one player fulfills their win condition. The hero player triumphs by eliminating the guardian, filling all the wound spaces on the guardian board. On the other hand, the guardian player can secure a win by eliminating the leader or by achieving their unique win condition.
Skulk Hollow is a game of asymmetry where two players go head-to-head in a clash of smallfolk heroes and awakening guardians. Developed by an esteemed trio, Eduardo Baraf, Seth Johnson, and Keith Matejka, and released by Pencil First Games, it offers an intriguing blend of strategy and quickness.
⏰ Suitable for ages 12 and up, Skulk Hollow is perfect for a quick gaming session as it only takes 30-40 minutes to play. Its rules are simple and easy to understand, although teaching the game might take a little longer due to the distinct play styles of the two sides. The gameplay flows smoothly and swiftly, providing a depth that keeps you on your toes.
🃏 The essence of the game lies in its card-based combat system. While the cards in your hand limit your actions, the strategic choices you make with your cards are crucial for your success. Timing is everything here, as drawing the right cards at the right moment could be the difference between victory and defeat.
🎨 The game’s aesthetic appeal is another factor that adds to its charm. The beautiful meeples and striking artwork contribute to an impressive tabletop display. With its excellent design, high-quality components, and a practical box insert, the game guarantees a superb unboxing experience.
🦊 What sets Skulk Hollow apart is how well the unique theme is intertwined with the game mechanics. Particularly enjoyable is the mechanic where the Foxen heroes can leap from the main board to a guardian’s board to inflict damage, forcing the guardian to recover before performing specific actions.
🔄 With four different guardians, each featuring unique win conditions and various Foxen leaders each possessing distinct powers, the game offers an immense replay value. However, the slight imbalance between the powers of the guardians and the Foxen leaders could be seen as a minor drawback, as it appears a bit tougher for the guardians to win.
👪 Yet, it doesn’t detract from the fact that Skulk Hollow is a fantastic game for younger players or family gamers. It’s a unique one vs. one tactical battle game that keeps the tension high with its fast-paced yet deep gameplay.
📝 Disclaimer: We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the publisher, Pencil First Games, for providing us with a review copy of the game.
