Subterranean Empire Strategy Guide
The Underground Duchy are subterranean moles who have built a vast network beneath the woodland. They tunnel between clearings, establish burrows, and manage noble obligations while staying largely hidden from surface conflicts. Their strength comes from mobility and avoiding direct confrontation.
The Duchy builds an underground tunnel system connecting clearings across the map. This provides unique movement advantages and allows them to appear where enemies least expect. Tunnels are the foundation of all Duchy strategy.
Tunnels are your highways beneath the woodland. They connect burrows and allow rapid troop movement while remaining hidden from surface factions.
Build tunnels to connect your burrows and move unseen
đ = Burrows, ââ = Tunnels, â = Potential sites
Building an effective tunnel network requires strategic planning:
Remember: Tunnels are hidden from enemies and provide unique mobility!
Your noble moles have different personalities and abilities. Managing their needs and leveraging their strengths is crucial for maintaining your underground society.
Ability: Generate funds from burrows
Demand: Wants luxury items and security
Use: Economic engine and infrastructure funding
Ability: Recruit and move warriors efficiently
Demand: Seeks military glory and expansion
Use: Military operations and territory control
Ability: Draw cards and manage information
Demand: Wants knowledge and artifacts
Use: Card advantage and strategic planning
Ability: Score points and rally support
Demand: Desires respect and influence
Use: Victory point generation and morale
Different burrow types serve various strategic purposes. Choose locations and types based on your current needs and noble demands.
Function: Military stronghold and command center
Benefits: Recruit warriors, coordinate attacks
Best For: Central locations, defensive positions
Noble: Favored by the Brigadier
Function: Economic hub and trade center
Benefits: Generate funds, craft items
Best For: Resource-rich clearings
Noble: Favored by the Banker
Function: Knowledge repository and research
Benefits: Draw cards, gain information
Best For: Safe, protected locations
Noble: Favored by the Chronicler
Tend Nobles: Fulfill noble demands or face unrest
Craft: Craft items at markets and libraries
Strategy: Balance noble satisfaction with strategic needs
Actions: 2 actions + bonuses from satisfied nobles
Score: Gain points based on burrows and nobles
Draw Cards: Draw based on libraries and chronicler
Discard: Discard down to hand limit
Establish your first tunnel connections strategically:
Goal: 3-4 connected burrows by turn 3
Focus on satisfying key nobles early:
Balance: Don't neglect any noble completely
Choose burrow types based on immediate needs:
The Duchy starts slowly and builds momentum over time. Don't rush into conflicts or try to compete with aggressive factions early. Focus on building your infrastructure and staying hidden underground.
With established foundations, expand aggressively:
Goal: 6-8 burrows connected by tunnels
Begin asserting presence on the surface:
Maximize noble benefits through strategic play:
With established network, focus on winning:
Target: Reach 30 points through diverse strategies
Leverage your unique mobility advantages:
Adapt strategy based on board state:
Your late-game strength comes from unpredictability. Enemies can't easily predict your movements or target your assets. Use this to stay one step ahead and strike when opponents least expect it.
Unsatisfied nobles reduce your action economy and cause unrest. Always plan to meet their basic demands, even if it means sacrificing other goals.
Building tunnels without long-term vision wastes actions. Plan your network to connect valuable locations and provide multiple strategic routes.
Emerging too early makes you a target before you're ready. Build your infrastructure first, then assert surface control when you can defend it.
Burrows are valuable targets that need protection. Always maintain adequate warriors, especially at key network nodes and economic centers.
Strategy: Avoid their strong military early
Opportunity: Strike undefended buildings via tunnels
Key: Don't compete directly - use mobility advantage
Strategy: Use tunnels to disrupt their Decree
Timing: Strike when they're overextended
Key: Help trigger turmoil through strategic attacks
Strategy: Avoid triggering their revolts
Benefit: Tunnel movement bypasses sympathy
Key: Generally ignore unless they're winning
Strategy: Keep relationship hostile to prevent aid
Defense: Protect isolated burrows from raids
Key: Use tunnel mobility to avoid confrontation
Design your network for maximum strategic value:
Combine noble abilities for powerful effects:
Use tunnel mobility for unexpected plays: