Keep the Heroes Out All-in Bundle - FrogTogether
🐸 Details from BoardGameGeek
Consiglio BGG sul numero di giocatori
Categorie
Meccaniche
Design & Art
Lingua
🐸 How pre-orders work
🐸 A wise frog knows when to split the order… and when to wait for the right leap.
- Arrives
- by the end of October 2026
Si abbina bene con
The FroGames review
You hear the sound of boots echoing in the hallway. The heroes are coming. You and your fellow monsters must decide: block the east tunnel or reinforce the treasure room? Someone lays a trap. Someone else summons reinforcements. Then the first wave hits and the plan falls apart.
WHAT IT IS
Finally, someone tells the dungeon story from the right perspective
Luís Brueh has designed and illustrated a game that flips the classic dungeon crawl: you are the monsters, they are the invaders. Keep the Heroes Out! comes from a 2021 Kickstarter and is both designed and illustrated entirely by Brueh, with a cartoon style that makes even the most absurd carnage digestible.
At the table, you build your own personal action deck, move your monster units through the rooms of the modular dungeon, place traps, and activate room powers. Heroes enter in waves following automated rules: they draw cards, attack, and steal treasures. If they carry away the main treasure, you all lose. If you survive the two waves, you win together.
International reception
"It's cooperative dungeon defense with a sense of humor and real tactical choices."
It's cooperative dungeon defense with a sense of humor and real tactical choices.
— Meeple Mountain
Keep the Heroes Out! is a tower defense game where you finally have control. But the chaos arrives all the same—only this time, you handle it alongside the other monsters. The first game catches you off guard: you're used to being the hero. Here, you are the guardian. And it works.
— FroGames
Keep the Heroes Out!
The game includes official solo rules where you control multiple monsters simultaneously. The experience is complete because hero management is automated even in multiplayer, so you don't lose human interaction. Only the cognitive load changes: you have to think for all the monsters, which slightly slows the pace but keeps the tactical tension intact.
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on the rulebook, international reviews, and gameplay sessionsYour monstrous arsenal
Four pillars of defense
Monster units
Goblins, trolls, ghosts: every monster has unique abilities. You move them between rooms, attack heroes, and block corridors. They are physical pieces, you see who is where.
Modular dungeon
Each scenario assembles the rooms differently. Every room has an activatable power: summon reinforcements, damage all heroes present, move treasures. You choose when to activate them.
Personal deck
You start with basic cards (move, attack, activate room) and buy new ones during the game. Light but tactical deck building: better cards = stronger or combined actions.
Hero deck
Invaders move automatically by drawing cards: they advance, attack, steal. Each wave is a separate deck, the second stronger than the first. You try to anticipate them.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of every round
Monster turns and hero turns alternate until the end of the waves.
Draw 5 cards from your personal deck. Play as many as you want: movement, attack, room activation, buying new cards. Coordinate priorities with other monsters (who blocks which corridor, who defends which treasure).
Draw a card from the invader deck. The card states which heroes move, where they go, and what they do (attack, steal treasures). Heroes follow automatic rules: there is no player controlling them; the deck decides for them.
If a hero arrives at a treasure and no monster is there to stop them, they take it. If they take the main treasure, you lose immediately. If they take secondary treasures, the difficulty of the second wave increases.
When the first wave deck runs out, remove any heroes still in play, reposition the monsters, and the second wave (stronger deck) begins. If you survive that too and the main treasure is still there, you all win.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Set up the dungeon
Choose the scenario (there are several in the rulebook). Place the room tiles according to the layout, distribute the treasures, and position your monsters in the starting rooms. Everyone draws their initial hand. Look at the hero deck: you know they are coming, but not exactly when or how.
First wave: organized chaos
The heroes enter. Draw their card; they move and attack. You respond: one player activates the trap room and damages all invaders inside, another moves a troll to block the corridor, a third buys a stronger card for the next turn. You coordinate out loud, but time is running out.
Someone steals a minor treasure
A hero reaches the room with a secondary treasure and takes it. It's not game over, but it hurts. You discuss whether to chase them (risking leaving the main room undefended) or let them go and reinforce the center. Someone suggests summoning reinforcements, someone else prefers to upgrade their deck. High tension.
The combo that saves the game
Second wave, stronger heroes. One of you plays three cards in a row thanks to deck building: move, activate room, attack, eliminate two heroes in one go. The table erupts. That moment when the plan works is pure cooperative satisfaction. The others applaud, then immediately return to the next problem.
Victory by a whisker
The last hero is one space away from the main treasure. You have one card each left. Someone draws movement, intercepts them, and eliminates them. End of the waves. You won. You look at the devastated dungeon, the monsters still standing, the treasures (almost) all safe. You immediately re-evaluate which scenario to play next time.
🐸Know this beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
Know this beforehand
Three things a friend would tell you
The first game is longer
The rules are understood in 15 minutes, but the actual first game takes 60-70 minutes because you stop often to check room powers and monster abilities. From the second one onwards, you will finish in a solid 40 minutes.
Coordination mandatory, not optional
This isn't a cooperative game where everyone optimizes their area and then you win. Here you must talk constantly: if one person blocks the east corridor and you activate the room that moves heroes to the west, you have wasted two actions. A silent table loses.
Automatic heroes aren't smart
The invader deck is well-balanced, but it doesn't replace a human opponent. The heroes don't plan strategies; they execute the drawn card. If you are looking for a deep tactical duel against a hostile intelligence, here you will find pressure and chaos, not cunning.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the finale rewards▼
How it ends
How to win and lose
The game ends when the main treasure is stolen, or when the second wave runs out.
Victory
- Survive both waves of heroes without losing the main treasure
- Eliminate or slow down enough invaders to empty the second wave deck
- Coordinate defense, attack, and deck upgrading to keep the dungeon under control
Defeat
- A hero steals the main treasure: game over immediately
- All monsters are eliminated and no reinforcements are available
- The pressure from the heroes is too strong and you fail to cover all critical rooms
Keep the Heroes Out! is tower defense done right: quick games, high tension, tactical satisfaction. It also works great solo. If you like cooperative games where you have to coordinate actions in real time and are always looking for a reason to replay to see if you can do better next time, this is the game for you.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before the cart▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Keep the Heroes Out!
How many games are in the base box?
The rulebook includes several scenarios with different setups, objectives, and dungeon layouts. Each scenario changes how you play: different rooms, different powers, different difficulties. Replayability is high even when repeating the same scenario, because you change monsters and strategies.
Is it really cooperative or does everyone play for themselves?
It is a true cooperative game: if one person messes up the positioning, you all lose. You must decide together who defends which treasure, who chases the heroes, and who upgrades their deck for the second wave. There is no leader: speak out loud and negotiate priorities.
Does it work well solo or is it intended for groups?
It works very well solo with official rules. You control multiple monsters yourself, which slightly slows down the game but keeps the tension intact. Since even in multiplayer the heroes are automatic, the solo experience does not lose any opponent interaction (which isn't there anyway).
What mechanics does Keep the Heroes Out! use?
Light cooperative deck building (you buy cards to improve your deck), area movement (you move units between rooms), modular tile activation, management of an automatic opponent (the hero deck), and variable powers (each monster has unique abilities).
Is it available in Italian?
This edition is in English. There is text on the cards, but it is limited: once you learn the monsters' abilities and the room powers (which have clear icons), the language matters little. The rulebook is in English, but many Italian communities have quick reference guides.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they have done.
Keep the Heroes Out! is an asymmetrical cooperative game for 1-4 players, 40-minute duration, recommended age 10+. Designed and illustrated by Luís Brueh, published by Brueh Games Inc., the game flips the classic dungeon crawl: you are the monsters, the heroes are the invaders. It combines deck building, modular board management, and cooperative defense against automatic waves of opponents. Every scenario offers different setups and objectives, with high replayability. It works great solo thanks to dedicated official rules. Available on FroGames.it.
Product Details
🐸 HOW TO PLAY
Monsters become the protagonists
In this cooperative game for 1-4 players, you play as monsters defending their treasures from hordes of glory-seeking adventurers. After all, you're not the hero: you're the guardian of the lair, and your goal is to repel the raiders who want to steal what's yours.
The heart of the shift
At the start of your turn, you draw five cards. These cards allow you to move units, activate dungeon tiles to harness their powers, fight invading heroes, or manage your internal resources. After each player's turn, the hero deck is activated, generating new enemies and threats to face.
A living and dynamic dungeon
The board isn't static: dungeon tiles have special actions that can change the course of the game, allowing you to create traps, strengthen defenses, or prepare deadly counterattacks. Cooperation is key to balancing offense and defense.
Two waves of heroes
Each scenario features two waves of invaders: the first prepares the ground, the second pushes the monsters to their limits. Resisting means planning your cards carefully, making the most of each monster's asymmetric abilities, and protecting the treasures in each room.
Victory or defeat
The game is won only if the team manages to defend the treasures until the end of the two waves. If the main treasure is stolen, the game ends immediately with a defeat. Surviving means proving that the true masters of the dungeon are not the "heroes"... but the monsters.
The dungeon is yours. Defend it with fangs, fire, and well-played cards.
An army of heroes is coming. But this time… you're the good guys.
Keep the Heroes Out – Defend your dungeon, monster after monster
Deep in a cozy dungeon, amid piles of gold and lava logs, peace reigns. But it won't last long. The usual "heroes"—arrogant bards, overzealous paladins, and unscrupulous thieves—are about to invade your chambers in search of the treasure you've earned with sweat, spells, and fangs.
In Keep the Heroes Out , you're not the adventurer: you're the monster defending its lair . Dragons, slimes, golems, skeletons, bats, and many other creatures unite to repel two waves of invaders hungry for loot and glory.
Every game is a desperate, cooperative fight to protect what's yours. And with the all-in bundle, your dungeon comes to life in even more epic fashion…
True heroes don't enter. And if they do enter... they never leave.
Keep the Heroes Out! is a cooperative board game for 1 to 4 players , asymmetrical, full of personality and strongly thematic. The core of the game is simple yet brilliant hand management: each creature has a unique deck , its own abilities and a different way to interpret dungeon defense.
Each turn, you play cards to move, activate rooms, battle heroes , and optimally position your units. But then it's the turn of the invaders, who enter, destroy, steal, and... advance mercilessly.
The FrogTogether all-in bundle makes this experience even more memorable thanks to:
– 5 expansions adding new scenarios, monsters, powers, and modes (Boss Battles, Guild Master's Revenge, Great Dreamer, Sparkling Guardian, Playing with Fire)
– Improved components , such as the Cozy Dungeon Wooden Bits for a top-notch visual and tactile experience
– Underground Market mats , which transform the table into a real map to conquer room after room
A perfect game for families, groups and solo players , with a gentle learning curve and depth that grows game after game.
We played it, and we haven't let anyone in since 🐸
We've organized a truly monstrous resistance. This game is a little cooperative bomb: high tension, a slapstick dungeon atmosphere, fluid rules, and a lot of heart .
Each creature you can play has a precise identity, and the balance of the group is created move by move. Some defend, some slow down, some explode... but in the end, it takes coordination and sacrifice to reach the end.
The production of this all-in is a marvel : the wooden tokens bring the rooms to life, the expansions add options without weighing down the game, and the playmats immerse you in a living, colorful, and dangerously adorable world.
It's one of those games you pick up for fun and immersion , perfect even for younger players but deep enough for strategy gamers. Keep the Heroes Out! is a love letter to dungeon crawlers… written by monsters.
More epic games where no one is truly innocent:
🦑 Kelp – Shark vs Octopus – Asymmetric duel in the depths, between bluff and silent hunt.
⚔️ Raiders of Scythia – Amazons, bows, and horses to conquer the myth.
💀 Dead Men Tell No Tales – Fight fire, the undead, and greed on a cursed ship.
🏰 Viscounts of the West Kingdom – A kingdom in decline, a viscount on the rise.
🤠 Cactus Town – Planned chaos in the Wild West: whoever makes a mistake, dances the can-can.
📮 Stamp Swap – Choose, swap and collect in a stylish display challenge.
🌸Hanami – Abstract strategy between petals and tradition, with the soul of a classic.
🛰️ Orbit – Tactical space race between orbits, portals and brilliant choices.
Cooperiamo.Poi ascoltiamo il capo.– FrogZen
Gioco in solo per rilassarmi.Litigo con me stesso.– SoloFrog
Mazzo perfetto.Pesco cinque zavorre.– Lady Meeple
Motore online.Al penultimo turno.– MechaFrog
Primo meeple posato.Posto sbagliato.– Capo Rana
Drafto con criterio.Ti nego la carta giusta.– Lady Croak
Spingo la fortuna.Lei non si muove.– Rana Fortuna
Tiro benissimo.Scrivo rimpianti.– Scribe Frog
Mi manca solo una carta.È nel tuo tableau.– Girinix
Elimino ogni sospetto.Tranne il colpevole.– SherFrog
Non mi affeziono.Sticker uno: lacrime.– Archivista Anfibio
È chiarissimo.Fino a pagina 17.– Maestro Ranaldo
Il downtime insegna la pazienza.E lo shopping di espansioni.– FrogBerto
Non è indecisione.È turismo nel regolamento.– La Rana Saggia
Cooperiamo.Poi ascoltiamo il capo.– FrogZen
Gioco in solo per rilassarmi.Litigo con me stesso.– SoloFrog
Mazzo perfetto.Pesco cinque zavorre.– Lady Meeple
Motore online.Al penultimo turno.– MechaFrog
Primo meeple posato.Posto sbagliato.– Capo Rana
Drafto con criterio.Ti nego la carta giusta.– Lady Croak
Spingo la fortuna.Lei non si muove.– Rana Fortuna
Tiro benissimo.Scrivo rimpianti.– Scribe Frog
Mi manca solo una carta.È nel tuo tableau.– Girinix
Elimino ogni sospetto.Tranne il colpevole.– SherFrog
Non mi affeziono.Sticker uno: lacrime.– Archivista Anfibio
È chiarissimo.Fino a pagina 17.– Maestro Ranaldo
Il downtime insegna la pazienza.E lo shopping di espansioni.– FrogBerto
Non è indecisione.È turismo nel regolamento.– La Rana Saggia
FAQs
Read our FAQs page to learn more!
📸 Do the game images on the website exactly match the product I will receive?
The images on our website are often taken from BoardGameGeek (BGG), the world's largest board game community. These photos are intended to give you an idea of the game, but may differ slightly from the version you receive, especially in the case of localized editions, reprints, or manufacturer updates.
The actual contents of the box always adhere to the specifications provided by the official publisher. If you have any questions or would like further details, please do not hesitate to contact us: we are board game enthusiasts and happy to help you choose the perfect game for you!
📦 Does the indicated contents correspond exactly to what I will find in the box?
We always indicate the box contents on the product page, but there may be minor variations due to reprints, updated editions, or last-minute editorial changes.
💬 The information we provide comes directly from publishers and official distributors, but in the event of unannounced changes, there may be discrepancies.
🎯 Our goal is always to offer you an accurate and transparent description, but the actual contents of the box you receive will always take precedence.
Do you have any questions or want confirmation on a detail? Write to us! We are here to help you choose with confidence 🎲🧡
⏳ How do pre-orders work on FroGames?
Pre-orders allow you to reserve an upcoming game before it officially hits the market.
As soon as it arrives from the distributor, we ship it directly to your home! 🚚✨💳
Payment is made immediately upon ordering, so the game is reserved for you and no one else can snatch it away.❗
Sometimes distributors may notify us of delays or date changes at the last minute: in these cases, we will update you promptly.
You deserve clarity and respect.
At FroGames, every order is a promise we cherish… even if the game is still on its way! 🧡🎁
If the pre-ordered game doesn't meet the free shipping threshold, no problem: just select "Store Pickup" at the time of purchase.
We will contact you before shipping: you can decide whether to add other games to reach free shipping, or just pay the shipping cost for the pre-ordered game. 🎯
🔒 Can I trust purchasing from FroGames?
Absolutely! FroGames is a project created with passion and care by true board game enthusiasts.
We are an Italian company, with a physical location, VAT number, and customer support that genuinely responds 😊
📦 All games are new, original, and sealed, shipped with tracked courier in 24/48h.
📬 You will receive email updates, and we are always available to answer any questions, before and after your purchase.
With us, you're not just an order number: you're a player, a collector, a dreamer. And we want to treat you as you deserve. 🧡🎲
🛠 What happens if there's a problem with my order?
We do our best to ensure every order is perfect, but if something goes wrong – a damaged package, a missing game, or any other unexpected event – don't worry: we've got you covered!
💬 Write to us immediately, and we'll solve it together: we're people, not an automated call center.
📦 We can replace, refund, or find the right solution. The important thing is that you are satisfied.
For us, it doesn't end with "thank you for your order," but with "see you soon."