The game is played on a chessboard or 8x8 grid representing a subterranean setting. The map is randomly generated each game by filling the board with sixty-four terrain tiles. Each player starts in control of one Lair. The object of the game is to occupy all eight Lairs on the board. The players earn Gold to build an army of cave creatures, such as Dwarves, Orcs, Cave Trolls, Kobolds, Troglodytes, and Gnomes. The players keep a hand of Event Cards which can be played to affect movement and combat.