While Magic: The Gathering is an iconic game, and set the standard for a new game genre, collectible card gaming (CCG), there are many gamers who have a major hate on for the game and its ilk.
They are opposed to the collectable nature of the game, whereby players can purchase packages of additional cards with which to customize their play decks. The result is of course added cost with the expectation, and at least partial reality that the player investing the most money will most often build the deck capable of winning most often.
So it was interesting the when Summoner Wars was released in 2009, it avoided the label CCG as best it could.
Still the game sounds very much like a CCG, which in my world is not a detriment.A starter set of Summoner Wars contains two complete faction decks, allowing for immediate two-player action.
Each faction is a unique race or civilization with its own secret goals, including the fantasy regulars Elves and Goblins.
Starter sets include everything you will need to play, including a battle mat, wound counters, dice, and a rulebook.
However Summoner Wars is expandable with new faction decks such as the Undead of the Fallen Kingdom, and the Human Vanguards.
Then each Faction will have its own expansions, adding new warriors, summoners, and abilities to allow for a never-ending mix of combat options and surprises. Expansions will also include Mercenary units - warriors who care nothing for politics and will fight for any side that can afford them. It sounds very collectable and customizable.
So what? Designed by Colby Dauch, Summoner Wars has a rather straight forward ruleset, and well designed cards, with strong art which make it worth exploring.
Summoner Wars plays with two-to-four players, where combatant take on the role of Summoners; powerful beings who use the power of Summoning Stones to lead their forces into battle on the planet Itharia. The Summoners use magic to cast spells and to summon their race's hordes of warriors. A Summoner is both wizard and general using the skills of both to win.
The game succeeds by focusing on different tactical strength for each faction, quick game play, a feel of a miniatures game at times, and that it holds together in four-player mode.
Fun is ultimately the key word here, but fun achieved with some reverence for tactics.Check it out further at http://www.summonerwars.com
If anyone is interested in this game, or other boardgames feel free to contact [email protected] reviews are collected online at calsboardgamemusings.blogspot.com
