
Leveling Up Your RPG Table with “Ziggurat”
On my recent trip to PAX Unplugged, I had the chance to dive into some new games, including a standout from the people at MindWare. While my passion undeniably lies in RPGs, I’m always on the hunt for board games that can enrich the tabletop experience. Whether they inspire creative storytelling, offer engaging mechanics, or even serve as physical props, I can’t help but think about how to incorporate them into D&D or other RPGs.
One such game that caught my attention was Ziggurat.
What is Ziggurat?
Ziggurat is a cooperative legacy board game where players work together to ascend a mysterious, ancient pyramid while battling fire spirits and other challenges. The game features a compelling backstory: the once-dormant ziggurat near a small town has begun to stir, and the players are tasked with investigating its sudden activity.
The gameplay spans several sessions, with evolving rules, mechanics, and surprises. As a legacy game, each playthrough introduces new elements, keeping the experience fresh and unpredictable. Think of it as a strategic, cooperative twist on Chutes and Ladders. Players move their characters up the ziggurat, using ladders to ascend more quickly or sliding down treacherous paths if they’re not careful. The catch? If any player falls, the entire team loses and must replay the level.
Each player gets a new movement card that outlines movement options for both the team and the fire spirits each round, requiring thoughtful collaboration to overcome the ziggurat’s challenges. My group hasn’t finished all 12 rounds yet, but so far, we’ve managed to hold our ground without losing.
A Family-Friendly Adventure
If you’re looking for a game that’s engaging for players of all ages, Ziggurat is a fantastic pick. The changing rules and evolving mechanics keep it from becoming repetitive, and the cooperative nature makes it a great choice for family game night. It’s always exciting to see what new surprise the next level has in store.
Incorporating Ziggurat into Your RPGs
One of the coolest aspects of Ziggurat is how easily its components can translate into your RPG sessions. Whether intentionally designed this way or simply a happy coincidence, the game board fits perfectly onto a standard 1-inch battle grid, making it a ready-made terrain piece for your D&D campaigns or other RPGs.
Here are some creative ways to incorporate Ziggurat into your RPG sessions:
1. A Dungeon with Legacy Mechanics
Design an RPG dungeon inspired by the game’s legacy format. Each session, the party clears a level of the ziggurat, with new challenges and evolving rules for each ascent. Maybe the ziggurat shifts magically, altering its traps and pathways.
2. Traps, Tiles, and Effects
The game’s tiles—featuring pits, ladders, sigils, and fire spirit zones—offer an array of modular effects to use in your RPGs. Repurpose them for:
- Summoning Circles: Where enemies appear mid-combat.
- Trap Zones: Pits that restrain characters until they pass a check.
- Ritual Effects: Sigils that require players to solve a puzzle or dispel magic.
3. A One-Off Pyramid Adventure
Use the ziggurat’s story as a standalone adventure. The party investigates the sudden awakening of an ancient pyramid and must ascend it while battling fire elementals, solving riddles, and dodging traps.
4. Multi-Level Combat
Combat across multiple vertical levels is notoriously tricky to run in D&D. The ziggurat board can serve as a visual aid to represent different elevations, making it easier to track character positions and interactions.
Pro Tip: Enhance the Experience
To up the immersion, incorporate the fire spirit mechanics from Ziggurat into your RPG session. For example:
- Each time a player takes an action, roll a die to determine where fire spirits spawn.
- Use the fire spirits as mobile hazards that force the party to adapt and strategize.
Final Thoughts
Ziggurat is more than just a fun and dynamic board game—it’s a source of inspiration for your RPG table. Its modular tiles, legacy format, and thematic depth make it a versatile tool for creating memorable campaigns and one-shots. Whether you’re battling fire spirits in the game itself or turning its components into an epic D&D dungeon, Ziggurat is a must-have for gamers who love blending board games with RPGs.
So, the next time you’re at your FLGS (friendly local game store) or browsing online, consider picking up Ziggurat. You can also snag a copy here. Who knows? It might just become the foundation for your next great adventure.
Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!
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