All factions
Core Set
DINOSAURS
Low
Play high-powered minions, boost your minions' power, and destroy weaker minions.
Description
Get ready to unleash prehistoric power with the Dinosaurs faction from the Core Set. This faction is all about raw strength, boasting mighty minions and actions that supercharge them. With a simplicity that's easy to grasp, the Dinosaurs have a low complexity rating. They're one of eight factions in the Core Set, joining the likes of Aliens, Ninjas, Pirates, Robots, Tricksters, Wizards, and Zombies.
Cards Overview
The Dinosaurs faction boasts a robust lineup of 10 minions and 10 actions. Notably, their minions pack a significant punch, with a total base power of 32 and an average of 3.2 power per minion, surpassing the typical average of 3. When factoring in the additional power boosts from abilities like those found on War Raptor, Armor Stego, Augmentation, and more, the Dinosaurs emerge as the faction with the highest power-per-minion ratio in the Core Set, rivaling even the Robots.
Their action cards offer a range of strategic options, including two play-on-minion actions, Tooth and Claw... and Guns and Upgrade, which can be used to enhance individual minions. The Wildlife Preserve action, on the other hand, is played on a base. The faction's standard actions are headlined by seven cards, with six of these affecting one or more minions: Augmentation appears twice, as does Howl, while Natural Selection, Rampage, and Survival of the Fittest each provide unique effects. Furthermore, five actions are specifically designed to increase a minion's power, including two instances of Augmentation, two instances of Howl, and Upgrade.
2x Augmentation - One minion gains +4 power until the end of your turn.
2x Howl - Each of your minions gains +1 power until the end of your turn.
1x Natural Selection - Choose one of your minions on a base. Destroy a minion there with less power than yours.
1x Rampage - Reduce the breakpoint of a base by the power of one of your minions on that base until the end of the turn.
1x Survival of the Fittest - Destroy the lowest-power minion (you choose in case of a tie) on each base with a higher-power minion.
1x Tooth and Claw... and Guns - Play on a minion. Ongoing: This minion is not affected by other players' cards.
1x Upgrade - Play on a minion. Ongoing: This minion has +2 power.
1x Wildlife Preserve - Play on a base. Ongoing: Your minions here are not affected by other players’ actions.
Actions
2x Augmentation - One minion gains +4 power until the end of your turn.
2x Howl - Each of your minions gains +1 power until the end of your turn.
1x Natural Selection - Choose one of your minions on a base. Destroy a minion there with less power than yours.
1x Rampage - Reduce the breakpoint of a base by the power of one of your minions on that base until the end of the turn.
1x Survival of the Fittest - Destroy the lowest-power minion (you choose in case of a tie) on each base with a higher-power minion.
1x Tooth and Claw... and Guns - Play on a minion. Ongoing: This minion is not affected by other players' cards.
1x Upgrade - Play on a minion. Ongoing: This minion has +2 power.
1x Wildlife Preserve - Play on a base. Ongoing: Your minions here are not affected by other players’ actions.
Characters
1x King Rex - power 7 - (no ability)
2x Laseratops - power 4 - You may destroy a minion here of printed power 2 or less.
3x Armor Stego - power 3 - Talent: Until the start of your turn, this minion has +2 power during other players' turns.
4x War Raptor - power 2 - Ongoing: Gains +1 power for each War Raptor on this base (including this one).
Strategy
The Dinosaurs bring brute force to the table, making them a perfect match for factions that can harness and amplify their raw strength.
Synergies
The Dinosaurs faction excels at delivering brute force, making them a great match for factions that can harness and amplify their power. Typically, Dinosaurs take center stage while their partner faction provides supporting roles, but when paired with a faction that also packs a punch, the results can be devastating.
When combined with Itty Critters, Dinosaurs become a force to be reckoned with, as the trainer's expertise can turn them into unstoppable juggernauts. By using Coach and Evolve, you can deploy King Rex at will and expertly maneuver your War Raptors.
Ninjas appreciate the immediate power bursts that Dinosaurs provide, allowing for quick and stealthy base captures. King Rex and Armor Stego are ideal candidates to pair with Hidden Ninja, and swapping in double War Raptors can be a game-changer. The Ninjas' own power also complements the Dinosaurs' strength.
Elder Things can benefit from the support of Dinosaurs, as Augmentation, Armor Stego, and King Rex can help bring Shoggoths into play. With Rampage and Elder Thing in hand, you can potentially one-shot most bases, although Dinosaurs don't directly assist in summoning the monster.
Bear Cavalry makes an excellent partner for Dinosaurs, as their own power, protection, and destructive capabilities create a formidable team. With the Cub Scouts and Polar Commandos boosted, you can dominate bases with ease, and Laseratops won't pose a threat.
Wizards can also pair well with Dinosaurs, as the extra actions provide numerous options, such as summoning double War Raptors or chaining power boosts to smash down bases and maximize Sacrifice. However, Wizard minions lack the power to fully utilize the Dinosaurs' strength.
Tips
To maximize the Dinosaurs' potential, focus on unleashing their immense power to overwhelm bases. Since many effects are limited to targeting minions up to a certain power, the Dinosaurs' brute strength often protects them. However, with each minion shouldering a significant burden, it's crucial to ensure they remain on the board to secure victories. The Armor Stego is a prime example, as it gains bonus power on opponents' turns, helping to maintain your dominance.
To safeguard your minions, utilize the Wildlife Preserve action, which shields them from harm and discards actions that have been played on them. Additionally, Tooth and Claw... and Guns can protect a minion from a single effect, providing a temporary reprieve. The Dinosaurs' power-boosting actions are generally short-lived, so it's wise to reserve them for critical moments when they can swing the outcome of a base. A well-chosen partner faction can provide the extra action plays needed to capitalize on these temporary power surges, with actions like Survival of the Fittest. Furthermore, Laseratops' ability can also take advantage of high-power minions, but its mandatory destruction effect will target your own minions if no others are present, making all Dinosaurs immune to its effects.
Mechanics
Play high-powered minions, boost your minions' power, and destroy weaker minions.