Mage Wars Arena Board Game

Mage Wars Arena is a fun customizable card game. The goal is to take out the other mage, reduce them to zero life points to win. You create your own spell books based on a point system using the school of magic you specialize in, with spells outside of your school costing more like X2 (sometimes X3, for example opposite schools of magic like holy and dark), but still usable unless it is a mage specialist specific card. The Core set has a Beastmaster, being an animal specialist using nature magic, a Priestess using holy magic, Warlock using dark magic and the Wizard using arcane magic. There are other schools of magic such as mind and war. Then the elemental schools of earth, air, water and fire. This is a game of tactics, timing and luck of the die roll. The interesting thing about the d6 (six sided die) are; two blank sides, two sides with 1 and 2, and two sides with a star 1 and 2. With attack dice rolled, it is possible to roll all blanks and do no damage whatsoever in an attack. if rolling a base 1 or 2 if you have armor it can protect from this damage. The star 1 and 2 is critical damage and penetrates armor. There is a d12 (twelve sided die) for special conditions generated by some attacks that may affect the target, or in some cases to avoid damage because of a special defense. Two mages start in opposite corners on a 3X4 game board grid. The mages start with nothing but 2 spells that you select from your spell book (which you get to do every turn) and mana (spell power points) that you generate each turn that can be saved and built up for bigger more costly spells. You can play a variety of spells: Equipment spells to enhance your mage. Incantation spells being nice utilities. Conjurations being structure types for spawn points, barriers or enhancements. Creature spells to send out to protect and attack. Attack spells to do more direct damage and enchantments for augmenting, protecting or hampering. It is fun! Depending on game flow and tactics (or outside interruptions like young kids wanting to participate) it can last 1-3 hours even up to 4 when starting out. There are expansions available to add to the game as well. Nice thing is the sets are fixed cards, no randomization so you know exactly what you are getting.

$17 for a game this huge is a damn steal. I'm really impressed with the amount of thought and effort that went into this. This game is well balanced and engaging. The turns are pretty quick, considering the complexity. It really scratches the war game itch without all the set up and take down. I am very impressed with this company. The customization is pretty endless and I love the novel concept of just having all your cards available in a book. The way you organize your spell book really can make the speed go so much faster than you'd expect. This is awesome. The art is cool and I really can't complain. I can't fathom such a deal.

This is a great strategy 2P game, in which you build your own spell books and battle it out. Similar feel to magic the gathering in spell casting and creatures, but without the endless buying of more and more cards. The base set price is a real bargain for all the components you get: board, lots of cards, 2 spell books with sleeves.

Great game, quality content. My only qualms is that there are a lot of rules. Prepare to sit down for at least an hour reading the rules every time there are new players.

Good game for people enjoy playing Fantasy Games. I bought this for my 13 year old nephew and he enjoys i. It was easy to learn, even for those who are not well versed in Fantasy Games.

This game is a little difficult to learn even with the apprentice mode that makes it easier but a quick guide of YouTube and you are off and once you get it it you get it and it’s fun and easy to play

The game is amazing. Top notch for a 2player competitive game. It's complex without being confusing, the rules are very clearly defined. Mine came with shoddy cardboard, the pieces didn't punch well and many of the tokens ripped. I contacted Arcane Wonders and they immediately sent me replacement pieces. Great customer service, great game, 5stars.

Despite all of the awards this game received, I still consider it underrated. They've got a real gem here and I can't wait to see all of the future expansions for this.