Board games have long allowed players to step into the shoes of heroes, adventurers, and saviors of the world but what if you could be the villain instead? That’s exactly what the Villainous board game offers. With its unique twist on gameplay and perspective, this strategy game puts players in control of iconic villains from classic Disney franchises, challenging them to achieve nefarious objectives in their own uniquely twisted ways. The Villainous board game has become a favorite for players who enjoy deep strategy, theme-rich mechanics, and the rare chance to root for the bad guys. From Maleficent’s dark magic to Captain Hook’s obsession with Peter Pan, Villainous takes familiar tales and turns them inside out, offering endless replayability and cunning decisions.
What is the Villainous Board Game?
Villainous is a competitive, asymmetric board game developed by Ravensburger. It was first released in 2018 and has since gained widespread popularity for its innovative structure and beloved cast of Disney villains. Each player takes on the role of a different villain, and each villain has a separate objective, strategy, and deck of cards that reflect their character’s story and personality.
Unlike traditional board games where everyone competes for the same goal, Villainous thrives on its asymmetry. Ursula wants to control the Trident and Crown, while Jafar wants to hypnotize the Genie. Each player’s board, objective, and abilities are different, which makes each playthrough feel fresh and strategic. The game is built for 2 to 6 players and typically takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes to play, depending on the number of participants and familiarity with the rules.
Core Components of the Game
- Individual player boards called realms
- Villain decks tailored to each character
- Fate decks used to hinder opponents
- Custom sculpted villain mover pieces
- Tokens, guides, and reference materials
Each player’s board represents their own realm with four locations. By moving their villain to different locations, players perform actions like playing cards, gaining power (the game’s currency), defeating heroes, and more. The flow of the game centers on executing your villain’s strategy while using the Fate system to sabotage your opponents’ plans.
Villains You Can Play
The base game of Villainous includes six Disney villains:
- Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
- Captain Hook (Peter Pan)
- Jafar (Aladdin)
- Prince John (Robin Hood)
- Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland)
- Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
Each expansion set introduces more villains. For example, expansions like Wicked to the Core, Evil Comes Prepared, and Perfectly Wretched have added characters such as Dr. Facilier, Hades, Scar, Yzma, and Cruella de Vil. These expansions can be played on their own or combined with the base game, making it possible to mix and match characters across games for even more variety.
Asymmetric Gameplay
The true genius of Villainous lies in its asymmetric design. No two villains play alike. Each has a unique win condition and mechanics that make them feel true to their character. For example:
- Maleficentmust curse each location in her realm to win.
- Captain Hookmust find and defeat Peter Pan at the Jolly Roger.
- Jafarmust unlock the Cave of Wonders, find the Magic Lamp, and hypnotize the Genie.
Because of this asymmetry, learning how to play each villain is almost like learning a new game. This not only adds to the replay value but also challenges players to adapt their strategy based on their opponent’s objectives.
The Role of Fate
In Villainous, there’s a clever balance between building your own victory and disrupting others. This is where the Fate mechanic comes in. Each player has a Fate deck filled with heroes, items, and events from their associated Disney film. On your turn, you can choose to fate an opponent, drawing from their Fate deck to play a hero like Aladdin or Ariel directly into their realm. Heroes block actions and must be defeated, slowing down the villain’s progress.
This dynamic adds interactivity and tension. It prevents runaway leads and makes player engagement constant. Knowing when and who to fate becomes just as important as managing your own deck.
Expanding the Experience
Villainous continues to grow with new characters and themed editions. Some popular expansions include:
- Wicked to the Core Introduces the Evil Queen, Dr. Facilier, and Hades
- Evil Comes Prepared Adds Scar, Yzma, and Ratigan
- Despicable Plots Features Gaston, Lady Tremaine, and the Horned King
Each expansion keeps the core mechanics but brings new twists and combinations. Because expansions are standalone, they are great entry points for new players or fun additions for veterans. The system is designed to be modular, so you can mix villains from different sets in one session.
Marvel and Star Wars Versions
Due to the success of Disney Villainous, the series has expanded into Marvel and Star Wars universes with separate standalone games. While these versions maintain the spirit of asymmetric gameplay, they introduce changes that reflect their respective universes, including shared fate decks and new mechanics like events and specialties.
For example, in Marvel Villainous, villains like Thanos, Ultron, and Hela each pursue unique story arcs from the Marvel Comics or Cinematic Universe, offering fresh experiences for fans of superheroes and villains alike.
Strategy and Replayability
One of the key strengths of the Villainous board game is its high replay value. The asymmetry encourages players to experiment with different characters, adapt to varying playstyles, and learn how to counter each villain’s strategy. No game feels quite the same as the last.
Additionally, the combination of deck-building, action selection, and sabotage allows for deep strategic decisions. Do you advance your plan quickly, or slow down a rising opponent? Do you save power or spend it all on strong allies? Timing is everything in Villainous.
Tips for New Players
- Start with villains that have simpler objectives, like Prince John or Maleficent.
- Focus on learning your own deck before trying to counter others too much.
- Use Fate wisely target players who are close to completing their objective.
- Don’t hoard power. Play cards that help your engine early.
- Read the villain guides included in the box they are extremely helpful for understanding each character’s flow.
The Villainous board game offers a rare opportunity to embrace the dark side in a clever, thematic, and engaging format. It stands out not only for its Disney charm but for its solid mechanics and deep strategy. Whether you’re drawn to the game for its artistic design, its challenging gameplay, or just the joy of playing as your favorite Disney villain, Villainous delivers a rich and satisfying experience for board gamers of all levels.
With new villains, expansions, and versions on the horizon, the world of Villainous continues to expand offering fresh challenges and stories with every play. Whether you’re curious to explore the minds of classic villains or insistent on mastering them all, Villainous is a board game that never stops delighting and surprising.