In D&D Lords of Waterdeep, players take the roles of masked rulers maneuvering for influence in Waterdeep. They recruit adventurers to undertake quests, and successful quests help them gain control of the city. This political premise gives the game’s strategy a clear focus: build power through assignments and competition rather than direct combat.
Play unfolds across eight rounds, with players assigning agents to recruit adventurers or buy buildings. Quests, Intrigue cards, and constructed buildings can generate points and resources; buildings may also benefit their owners when other players use them. Intrigue adds a pointed layer of interaction, since cards can help the player who uses them or hinder rival Lords. After the final round, bonus points are awarded and the highest-scoring player wins.
The game supports play against AI as well as online matches, which can be asynchronous or real-time; its listed options cover two to five players, with expansions raising that ceiling. Its turn-based, round-based structure makes each player’s agent placements the central decision.
