In the Name of Odin

Type: Strategy, Family, Vikings
A game by: Krzysztof Zięba
Art by: Enggar Adirasa, Victor Perez Corbella, Agnieszka Kopera, David A. Nash, ShenFei, Odysseas Stamoglou, Quico Vicens
Players: 2–5
Play time: 45–60 min
Age: 13+
Release date: October 2016
Rules: EN, DE
Status: In stock

In the Name of Odin is a strategy game for 2–5 players, each with a claim to become the new Jarl.

During the game each player will expend Action Cards to construct new buildings in their village, gather companions, recruit famous Vikings and build longships, that will carry them to fame and glory.

You are all brave warriors, shrewd traders and bold explorers, but only one of you will become the new Jarl to rule in the name of Odin!

It’s all about raids.

In essence, In the Name of Odin is an optimization race. As ambitious Norsemen you are trying to prove yourself as cunning leaders and bold raiders to gain the most Fame before the game’s inevitable end. To do that you will go on Raids.

Each Raid is a card that (depending on its position on the board) requires a longship of certain range to reach, a combination of three types of Vikings under your banner, and a famous persona to lead the expedition. It means you will have to gather or build all these elements and turn them in to claim the Raid card and score its Fame value.

Your will, your hand.

Each turn you will perform actions by expending Action Cards from your hand. Each of those cards carries two symbols: one with a Viking group (Warrior, Trader or Sailor), and one with an action type. At the end of each round you will draw cards to refill your hand, so that you’re able to think of your next moves while other players act.

Expending an Action Card means discarding it and choosing a Viking or action symbol. Viking symbols allow you to recruit shield-brothers – and the more of a single type you expend, the more Vikings will join you. The action icons allow you to build new structures or ships and to make a powerful ally – a Viking Hero who will join you on a Raid, or lend their special ability during time spend on land.

Your unique build.

Each building you put in your village unlocks its unique ability and grants you an Action symbol you can use once during your turn. Each ship allows you to reach certain Raids and offers you its own special ability. Through a combination of cards in your hand, and a growing tableau of abilities and icons you will be able to resolve your Actions more effectively – or with more of an impact on the game.

Also, anything you’ll build during the game will score you Fame – and although Raids are the key to victory, you’ll also be able to build much of your final score and what you’ve achieved as a leader and a shipwright. And as combinations of different abilities are limitless, you will play a different game every time you sit down to In the Name of Odin.

Your brothers and sisters.

In the Name of Odin plays fast, minimizes the downtime by limiting the immediate choices available during a given turn, and giving players full knowledge of what they will be able to make use of during their next activation. And although it is a game about the ruthless Norsemen, it does not introduce any direct, negative interaction.

You will be exploring, building and racing to go on Raids, but you will not take away other players’ belongings – or have your achievements taken away from you. The only measure of your greatness will be the ability to act both wisely and boldly to outwit your opponents and prove that you are the one to rule in the name of Odin.