In this review, we will examine “Heroes of Timeline.” This tactical two-player board game is the latest masterpiece by game creator and publisher Alik Shyianovskyi and illustrator Victoria Lafazan. It brings together heroes from different points in a mesmerizing fantasy timeline, all summoned by the mysterious deity Börd for epic battles that will determine the fate of their respective timelines.
Released in late 2024, this head-to-head tactical combat game has quickly gained attention in the strategy board-gaming community for its zero-luck approach and innovative mechanics. Think Chess meets heroic fantasy but with reality-bending ninjas and dragon-hunting knights! The game masterfully combines area control and hero elimination into tight 15-30-minute battles that will have you plotting your next match before the current one ends. If you’re into board games with a Hexlike design like this one, give Witchstone a try.
Whether commanding the heavily armored Dragon Hunters or orchestrating precise strikes with the Hidden Temple’s agile warriors, every decision can distinguish between victory and suffering Börd’s harsh punishments.
Speaking of those heroes and their epic battles, let’s take a closer look at what you’ll find when you crack open that gorgeous purple and gold box.
Components of Heroes of Timeline
Opening the striking purple and gold box of Heroes of Timeline reveals a treasure trove of 12 meticulously designed components, each serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. First, let’s see what is waiting for us in the box of the board game:
The board game comes with little plastic bags to put the cardboard components into them. You can see them in the image below:
Fans of Castles of Burgundy will find familiar comfort in the hex-based design, though Heroes of Timeline takes this foundation in a boldly different direction. Let’s see what makes this game’s physical elements special.
Game Board
The centerpiece is a cleverly designed hex-based board featuring six distinct sectors from a central “Key Tile.” The board’s surface has a subtle metallic sheen that catches the light beautifully, while the hex grid is precisely etched to ensure perfect hero base alignment. The folding mechanism is robust, using a reinforced center fold that prevents warping – a thoughtful touch for a game that demands precise positioning. The sector boundaries are clearly marked with elegant golden lines, making territory control assessment quick and intuitive.
Hero Bases
There are 10 Hero bases, which are the most innovative component of the two-piece hero base system. These clever stands consist of interlocking top and bottom pieces with slots for armor tokens around the circumference. While the design is brilliant for displaying armor status at a glance, it can be slightly finicky when fully loaded with armor tokens. A dab of glue between the pieces (as suggested in the rulebook) definitely helps with stability. The arrow indicator on each base clearly shows the facing direction – crucial for combat resolution.
Hero Portraits
There are 16 Hero portraits, and the artwork is exceptional. It captures each character’s personality and timeline origin. The portraits are printed on sturdy card stock with a subtle metallic finish that adds to the premium feel. After numerous plays, we’ve noticed they hold up well to repeated insertion and removal from the bases.
Wall Tokens
The 18 wall tokens are substantial plastic pieces that fit securely between hex spaces. Their height is perfectly calculated to block the line of sight while remaining easy to grab and reposition. The translucent purple material adds to the game’s aesthetic while making it easy to see the state of the board behind them. They’ve proven incredibly durable through multiple games.
Armor Tokens
The game includes 48 Tokens: 32 Regular Armors, bronze-colored tokens with distinct shield designs, and 16 Superior Armors, gold-colored tokens with a premium metallic finish. Both types feature precise molding for secure base attachment and clear visual distinction. The different shield designs help quickly identify armor types during play.
Team Cards
Each team has two identical reference cards (one for each player) displaying hero stats and abilities. There are 8 of them. The double-sided printing ensures all information is always visible.
The unique thing about Heroes of Timeline is that these two components have a shiny symbol on their back, which isn’t seen much in board games. This makes the design unbeatable.
Hero Cards
16 Individual hero cards (two per team = 8) serve as both reference and activation trackers. The graphic design effectively communicates each hero’s capabilities while incorporating the theme from their Timeline.
Turn Counter
A simple but effective two-piece counter tracks the current turn and corresponding Börd’s Punishment. The mechanism is basic but functional, though some players prefer to use the turn tracker on the website for easier reference.
Punishment Tokens
These two distinctive tokens mark which player is suffering Börd’s Punishment. The design incorporates both color and symbol coding for easy recognition.
Skill/Ability Tokens
These tokens, used to track active abilities and skills, feature clear iconography visible across the table. The designs correspond to specific team and hero abilities.
Of course, there is also a rulebook that explains everything you need to know, well-formed and illustrated. We also like the rulebook size because it isn’t like a normal sheet; it is short and simple, containing 42 small sheets.
How to Setup Heroes of Timeline
What we love about this board game is that the setup is fast and simple—so simple that, surprisingly, in this review, we will make the setup section in ONLY 3 STEPS. By seeing the rulebook or the image of the full setup shown here, you will know what and where to place it.
Before you Start
The journey into Heroes of Timeline begins with selecting your fighting force. Each player chooses one of the four distinct teams, though for your first game, we strongly recommend the straightforward Dragon Hunters for newcomers. We’ve found that having each player take both copies of their team’s reference card significantly speeds up gameplay, eliminating the need to pass cards back and forth during intense battles.
Creating your heroes is the next step, and it’s here where the game’s innovative design first shines. Each hero portrait slots satisfyingly into a base, creating your army’s physical presence on the battlefield.
Now comes a crucial strategic decision – the placement of armor tokens. You’ll need to carefully consider how to distribute both regular and superior armor around each hero’s base, as these early choices can determine survival in the heat of battle. We’ve learned through many games that balancing armor between your front arc (for aggressive plays) and rear areas (for protection against flanking) is key to success.
First Step
The battlefield itself requires careful preparation. The hex-based board should be positioned so players face each other across its longer axis, each controlling three sectors on their side.
This is where the first major strategic decisions begin – wall placement. The player commanding the larger team (or winning a coin toss if teams are equal) starts this crucial phase. Each player will place six walls in total, dropping two into their three closest sectors. This initial wall placement phase often sets the tone for the entire game, creating corridors, choke points, and safe zones that influence every subsequent turn.
Second Step
Next comes the hero deployment phase, which follows a strict alternating pattern. Starting with the first player (who placed the last shield), heroes are placed one at a time in their respective deployment zones – the two rows furthest from the center in your starting sector. This back-and-forth deployment creates fascinating mind games as players try to anticipate their opponent’s strategy while positioning their forces. A special rule kicks in for significantly mismatched teams (three or more hero differences): the smaller team gets a free repositioning of one hero before the larger team’s final placement, adding an extra layer of tactical consideration.
Third and Final Step
The final setup steps prepare you for the coming battle. The turn counter is set to one, punishment tokens are placed nearby (you’ll likely need them soon enough!), and ability tokens are kept within easy reach. If any heroes or teams have pre-game abilities, now’s the time to declare them, with the second player having first rights to these declarations.
One often overlooked but crucial setup element is ensuring all hero cards are face-up and easily visible to both players. We’ve found that arranging them in activation order helps track turns more efficiently. Some players even like to set up a “graveyard” area for eliminated heroes – trust us, you’ll need it.
With everything in place, the board should now tell a story of potential – walls creating defensive lines, heroes poised for action, and the all-important central key tile beckoning with promises of victory. The stage is set for an epic clash of tactics and strategy, where every decision in this setup phase will ripple through the coming battle.
Game Mechanics
Heroes of Timeline is a heavy strategy board game filled with strategic mechanics that would make even the most experienced strategist of our team Ivan raise an eyebrow. It’s like Chess had a baby with Memoir ’44, but this baby grew up to become a tactical genius, much like the board game Onitama.
Turn Structure
Before we discuss the actions and mechanics, let’s discuss the turn structure. The game has up to five turns, each consisting of three distinct phases.
- Every turn begins with the Pre-Turn Abilities phase, where players can declare powerful special abilities that will influence the coming actions. This creates an exciting meta-game of prediction and counter-prediction that we’ve found adds tremendous depth to each match.
- The main Activation phase follows, where heroes perform their actions alternately.
- Finally, the Turn Resolution phase determines control and assigns Börd’s dreaded punishments.
Hero Activation
The heart of the game beats in its activation system. When activated, each hero performs the Move-Turn-Attack sequence – a brilliantly streamlined system that offers countless tactical possibilities. Movement allows heroes to traverse a number of hexes equal to their movement value, though walls and other heroes block passage (unless specific abilities say otherwise). The turning aspect is particularly clever, as facing determines both attack direction and armor vulnerability. Finally, heroes can execute either a ranged or melee attack, each with its own strategic implications.
Combat System
The combat mechanics are elegantly brutal in their simplicity. Ranged attacks can strike at a distance but are stopped by walls and other heroes. Melee attacks require reaching the enemy’s hex but are generally more deadly. The armor system adds a fascinating layer of complexity – regular armor can save you from ranged attacks, but against melee strikes, it will disappoint your expectations – you’re out, while superior armor offers protection against both but is extremely limited. We’ve found this creates intense decisions about when to risk exposure and when to maintain defensive positioning.
Armor Management
The most innovative mechanic is the armor system. Each hero’s base can hold multiple armor tokens, but positioning them is crucial. Regular armor gets destroyed when hit by ranged attacks but prevents elimination, while superior armor degrades to regular armor when hit by ranged attacks and gets destroyed by melee attacks. This creates a compelling resource management sub-game that influences every tactical decision.
Team Abilities
Each team brings unique mechanics to the battlefield. The Guards of Witgat can raise walls mid-game, the Hidden Temple excels at repositioning enemies, the Dragon Hunters can break through walls, and the Institute bends reality itself. These abilities fundamentally change how each team approaches victory, creating fascinating asymmetric gameplay that somehow remains perfectly balanced.
Reflex Moves
The reflex move system is a brilliant catch-up mechanism that kicks in when one team has fewer activations than their opponent. It allows the smaller force to either make a limited move or ranged attack with an already-activated hero, helping maintain tension even when outnumbered.
Victory Conditions
The dual victory conditions create a constant tension between aggressive and defensive play. You can win by eliminating all enemy heroes (total elimination) or controlling more turns (domination victory). Turn control is determined first by occupying the central key tile and, if empty, maintaining more sectors. This elegant system prevents stalemates and forces constant engagement.
Börd’s Punishment System
This unique catch-up mechanism punishes the losing player, creating a fascinating psychological element. Each turn’s punishment is different, from reduced movement to armor degradation, forcing players to consider carefully which turns they can afford to lose. While controversial among some players, it adds an extra layer of strategic depth to turn control.
Resource Management
Beyond the obvious tactical elements, the game requires careful management of several resources: armor tokens, ability uses, and positional advantage. The limited nature of superior armor makes its use a crucial decision point, while the one-time nature of many abilities forces careful timing considerations.
The Action Economy
Each hero’s single activation per turn makes every action precious. The inability to move and attack at maximum efficiency creates tension between positioning for future turns and capitalizing on current opportunities. This action economy, combined with the alternating activation system, creates a psychological battle of anticipation and reaction that keeps both players fully engaged.
These interlocking systems create a game that’s remarkably easy to learn. While the mechanics might seem overwhelming initially, they flow together naturally during play, creating a seamless experience that keeps players coming back with the famous saying amongst the board game community for “just one more match.”
The Art of the Wall Dance – Mastering Heroes of Timeline’s Most Overlooked Strategy
When we first dove into Heroes of Timeline, we focused on the flashy hero abilities and combat. However, after countless matches, we discovered the game’s most fascinating strategic layer isn’t about the heroes at all – it’s about the walls.
We call it “The Wall Dance,” and it’s revolutionized our approach to every match. Those 18 wall tokens create a dynamic, ever-shifting battlefield that can make or break your victory plans. What started as basic defensive barriers has evolved into an intricate strategic art form.
The dance begins during setup, where each player places six walls across their three nearest sectors. We’ve developed several opening “wall formations” that have become like chess openings in our local meta:
The Funnel Gambit: Arranging walls to create an apparent weakness, channeling opponents toward a killing ground. This strategy particularly shines with the Hidden Temple team’s superior mobility.
The Fortress Defense: Creating a defensive pocket around the sector closest to the key tile – perfect for the Dragon Hunters’ superior armor.
But the real magic happens mid-game. The Guards of Witgat’s ability to raise walls during battle adds a new dimension. We’ve seen matches where skilled Witgat players completely reshape the battlefield, gradually constricting their opponent’s movement options while creating safe passages for their own forces.
What makes the wall system brilliant is its interaction with other mechanics. Walls don’t just block movement – they prevent ranged attacks, create safe zones for armor management, and force commitment to movement paths. We’ve discovered that wall positioning becomes even more crucial when Börd’s Punishments come into play.
As we like to say in our gaming group: “Heroes win battles, but walls win wars.” After all, even the mightiest hero can be stopped by two inches of well-placed purple plastic!
Sweet and Sour of Heroes of Timeline – Pros and Cons
What We Liked About the Game
- That moment when you perfectly predict your opponent’s movement and catch their hero with an exposed, unarmored side—pure tactical bliss! It’s like scoring a checkmate but with more dramatic flair.
- Armor tokens create a mini-game of psychological warfare. We love how players instinctively stare at each other’s hero bases, trying to memorize where the superior armor is placed. It’s like poker but with armored fantasy heroes.
- Those intense “should I or shouldn’t I” moments when deciding whether to sacrifice position to grab the key tile. We’ve lost count of how often we’ve debated this in our heads, only to watch our opponent do precisely what we feared.
- The Guards of Witgat’s wall-raising ability. There’s something deeply satisfying about dropping a wall right before an opponent’s carefully planned attack route. Their expression is always priceless!
What Could Be Improved
- While clever, the innovative hero base design can occasionally present challenges with armor token stability, mainly when multiple tokens are adjacent. Even with the recommended base assembly modifications, we’ve experienced minor disruptions during intense matches. It’s no big deal, but it could be worked on.
- While adding strategic depth, the punishment system can sometimes create significant momentum shifts, especially in the final turns. The Turn Four armor downgrade, in particular, can have a decisive impact on the game’s outcome that might feel a bit steep for some players.
- While the rich lore and backstory add tremendous depth to the game’s universe, having this content primarily accessible through the website means some fascinating character connections and storylines might be missed during regular gameplay. A companion lore booklet would have been a welcome addition to the physical game.
The Unexpected Joy: Despite its small imperfections, Heroes of Timeline has carved out a special place in our gaming evenings. What often starts as “just one quick game” inevitably transforms into marathon sessions of tactical battles that keep us engaged until the early hours. Something about its blend of strategic depth and elegant design makes you forgive its minor flaws – much like a classic that stands the test of time despite its quirks.
Our Final Thoughts
The game is interesting in the space between Chess and Neuroshima Hex. Like Chess, it’s completely deterministic – no dice, no cards, just pure strategy. Like Neuroshima Hex, positioning and facing are crucial. However, unlike either, Heroes of Timeline creates narrative moments that feel more like a tactical RPG than a pure strategy game.
Speaking of depth, let’s address the elephant in the room: the learning curve. It’s not steep, but your first few games will likely end in crushing defeat as you learn the hard way that leaving an unarmored side exposed is asking to be eliminated. However, unlike many complex games, each loss in Heroes of Timeline teaches you something concrete: a massive benefit for the players.
For those considering adding this to their collection, here’s our advice: if you enjoy pure strategy games but want something more dynamic, this is your game. If you like the idea of tactical combat but hate when dice determine your fate, this is your game. This is your game if you enjoy games that reward repeated plays and mastery.
However, you should look elsewhere if you prefer games with more social interaction. This game demands your full attention and rewards dedicated play. It’s also only great as a family board game if your family enjoys intense tactical battles.
If you’re willing to invest the time to master it, Heroes of Timeline offers some of the most satisfying tactical gameplay we’ve ever experienced. Just be prepared for those moments when your carefully planned strategy crumbles because you forgot about the Lady’s storm winds ability.
In the end, Heroes of Timeline isn’t just a game – it’s a journey of tactical discovery that rewards dedication and strategic thinking. Whether you’re plotting elaborate multi-turn traps or enjoying the satisfaction of outmaneuvering your opponent, there’s something here for every type of strategy gamer. Just be prepared to lose your first dozen matches spectacularly – and to enjoy every minute of it.
