Overview
Unmatched is a fast-paced, asymmetrical miniature dueling game that allows you to choose from an ever-growing roster of legendary heroes and villains from ancient mythology, classic literature, and blockbuster movies. This is a crossover like no other with many volumes, sets, and expansions that offer a wide variety of characters and playstyles. Battle of Legends Vol. 2 introduces four new heroes from myth and legend and introduces new card effects and map mechanics.
Battle of Legends Vol. 2 includes:
- 4 miniature figures
- 3 sidekick tokens
- 3 clone tokens
- 5 health dials
- 124 cards
- 1 double-sided game board
- 1 rulebook
Presentation
One way Unmatched stands apart from other games is the dedication to art. The game board is colorfully printed with easily identifiable zones for combat. Each deck also features unique, stunning, and thematic artwork for each hero. Staying true to the concept of a crossover, each individual hero and their deck feel as if they were pulled directly from their source material and placed in an arena to battle one another. Each deck is incredibly thematic, featuring special abilities and card titles that include an abundance of references that fans of each hero are sure to appreciate.
Objective
In Unmatched: Battle of Legends Vol. 2, the goal is to pick your favorite hero and use their unique playstyle and abilities to defeat all who oppose you. You must take two of the following actions each turn: maneuver, scheme, and attack. You may choose two different actions or the same action twice. Each card has a special effect or value, leading to exciting and unique engagements every time you play. The included map provides a new environment with unique mechanics that you can use to your advantage. You can also mix and match characters and maps from other Unmatched game sets.
For the full rulebook click here.
Gameplay
Battle of Legends Vol. 2 can be played 1v1, 2v2, or a 3+ player free-for-all, the latter being our favorite since it is ripe for unofficial alliances and betrayals. A single match can take 30 – 60 minutes and is full of constant action. The basic mechanics might seem complicated at first glance, but they are easy to learn once you start playing. Some heroes do have more complicated mechanics than others, so there can be a learning curve. Fortunately, every card has specific instructions written on them, but if you are still left with questions you can always turn to the included rule book and our FAQ for more clarification.
The mechanics of each hero included in this set are more nuanced, requiring more forethought and strategy than some of the previous heroes. We find that this makes gameplay more engaging for everyone, even if your opponent is using heroes from other sets. While some fighters may have distinct advantages over others, we still find the heroes featured in this set to be well balanced. Each hero has weaknesses that can be exploited and tools that make them incredibly powerful when properly implemented.
Map: Hanging Gardens
The Hanging Gardens is unique as it is the first to feature the mechanic known as the High Ground. There are specific paths on this map that are indicated with an arrow pointing a specific direction. If a hero attacks from one of these spaces and the arrow is pointing away from them and towards their opponent on the adjacent space, then their attack gets +1 added to the value. This attack bonus cannot be canceled by a card effect since it isn’t a card effect itself. This adds a completely new layer to the already evolving gameplay of Unmatched. Of course, not all paths contain these arrows, but it does make proper positioning and planning your approach incredibly important.
As for the design, we find this map to be very balanced as far as what it offers both melee and ranged fighters. It contains four spaces that contain three zones for ranged heroes, giving them plenty of options to plan their approach. It also contains a couple more isolated zones that are harder to reach for ranged heroes, giving all players an area of the map to regroup. There really aren’t any tight areas of the map where players can get cornered, the exception being the literal corners, but there is enough differentiation between nearby spaces and the zones they inhabit to benefit both melee and ranged fighters.
Heroes
Achilles
The most lethal fighter who ever lived. When his brother-in-arms, Patroclus, fell in battle, Achilles became so enraged the city of Troy fell by his hand.
Read more about Achilles here.
Bloody Mary
Stand before the mirror. Speak her name three times. SHE’S RIGHT BEHIND YOU!
Read more about Bloody Mary here.
Sun Wukong
Cocksure and mischievous, his playful demeanor belies his otherworldly power. With a single hair from his body, he can transform into anything he desires — even clones of himself.
Read more about Sun Wukong here
Yennenga
Princess, commander, and the mother of the Mossi people. She was peerless with javelin, spear, and bow, leading her hardy warriors into battle with unsurpassed authority.
Read more about Yennenga here.
Final Thoughts
Battle of Legends Vol. 2 introduces four new diverse heroes, each featuring new gameplay styles and mechanics that shake up how the game is played. This is arguably the most interesting and diverse group of heroes introduced in a single set. Each hero is wonderfully represented thematically and manages to fit in perfectly with the rest of the roster. It is a little disappointing that the games are no longer shipping with multiple maps, but the Hanging Gardens is so well thought out and balanced that it is hard to argue with their decision.
Battle of Legends, Vol. 2 is an excellent game on its own, but when paired with the other editions, players have access to a massive variety of matchups that continue to grow with each new edition. This set belongs in every Unmatched fan’s collection, and if you wish to expand your collection further, be sure to check out the following game sets and expansions:
