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. Cobble & Fog introduces four new heroes from the pages of classic European literature, each with a miniature figurine and a unique deck that evokes their legacy.
Cobble & Fog includes:
- 4 miniature figures
- 4 sidekick tokens
- 5 health dials
- 124 cards
- 1 double-sided gameboard
- 1 transformation token
- 3 fog tokens
- 1 rulebook
Presentation
One way Unmatched stands apart from other games is the dedication to art. In Cobble & Fog, both game boards are colorfully printed with easily identifiable zones for combat, and each deck 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, 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 two maps also provide a range of different environments 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
Cobble & Fog can be played 1v1, 2v2, or a 3+ player free-for-all. The latter is 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 you can always turn to the included rule book and our FAQ for more clarification.
In Cobble & Fog, the mechanics of each hero are fleshed out to uniquely represent each of them. Despite the various unique mechanics for each hero, we find them quite easy to understand and explain to new players. The variety of each hero makes for engaging matches no matter the matchup or how many players are on the field. Some fighters may have distinct advantages over others, but we still find the heroes featured in this set to be well balanced. Each hero has weaknesses that can be exploited and tools that allow them to compete with each other.
Maps: Baskerville Manor & Soho
Cobble & Fog features two separate maps. Baskerville Manor features a new mechanic known as SECRET PASSAGES. These passages are represented by a keyhole symbol and allow fighters to move across them as if they were adjacent to one another; however, this is only true for movement. Fighters cannot attack from one space containing a secret passage to another.
Baskerville Manor is incredibly diverse. The spaces and zones within the manor feel claustrophobic while still allowing for a space that ranged fighters can excel. Outside the manor the spaces and zones are more spread out, but the passageways are still narrow and the zone placement gives both melee and ranged heroes the advantage depending on positioning. The secret passages are just icing on the cake, allowing for strategic maneuvering.
The second map featured in Cobble & Fog is Soho. This map is supposed to simulate fighting on the London rooftops and in the city streets. Some of the rooftop and street level spaces are zoned to allow ranged fighters the advantage in specific areas. With that said, the zones are rather small in scope, so ranged fighters will have to stay on the move to not get cornered in one of the many narrow paths. Soho is a strange map. On the surface it seems like it is well balanced, but of all the games I have played, people have disliked playing on Soho the most. This may be due to it only having 29 spaces compared to Baskerville Manor’s 32. I still believe this is a good map, but it does feel more limiting compared to other maps when playing with 4 players.
Heroes
Dracula
Dare not to meet his gaze lest you do his bidding. Whilst our mind is in a fog, he and his ravening sisters will give you your baptism of blood.
Read more about Dracula here.
Invisible Man
How can you defend what you cannot see? A glint of metal amidst the gloom, but it’s too late. A surprise attack before he slips away again into the rolling fog.
Read more about Invisible Man here.
Jekyll & hyde
Two sides of the same man – the scheming Dr. Jekyll and the force of nature Mr. Hyde. Who will be the author of your end?
Read more about Jekyll & Hyde here.
Sherlock Holmes
The game is afoot! With the trusty Dr. Watson at his side, he’ll deduce your strategy and leave you wondering how he foiled your perfect plan. In a word: Elementary.
Read more about Sherlock Holmes here.
Final Thoughts
Cobble & Fog is an essential edition of Unmatched. It seems like Restoration Games really found their footing with this set, giving each new hero unique mechanics that are not only thematic, but incredibly fun to play. Additionally, some of these heroes are heavily favored in the blossoming competitive scene.
The combat system is just as fun and engaging as previous sets, the new heroes are unique, and it still remains an easy to learn game that can be taught as you play, keeping you from boring others by reading long rule sheets. The only negative is that the Soho map can be less favored in 4 player games, but that doesn’t make it a bad map. Truthfully, whether the map is good or not will mostly depend on the hero you choose to play. The best thing about Unmatched is the variety. Each game set can be played standalone, or you can buy other sets and mix and match the heroes and maps in each.
As Unmatched continues to grow and expand, it is natural for older expansions to become unavailable. Unfortunately, Cobble & Fog is one of those expansions. As of 2023, Restoration Games has decided to “vault” this set, meaning it will not be reprinted in the foreseeable future.
For those who love hero arenas, card games, and strategy games alike, Cobble & Fog makes a wonderful addition to your collection. If you wish to expand your collection further, be sure to check out the following game sets and expansions:
