{"id":59,"date":"2024-02-22T22:24:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T22:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.criticalchit.com\/?p=59"},"modified":"2024-02-26T04:18:10","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T04:18:10","slug":"summoner-wars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.criticalchit.com\/?p=59","title":{"rendered":"Summoner Wars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Imagine you\u2019re a wizard. Go ahead. I\u2019ll wait. Alright good. Now imagine you specialize in spell slinging and summoning creatures to do your bidding – I guess that makes you a summoner, not a wizard. Okay now imagine that the guy on the hill across from you can do all the stuff you can, and he wants the same land you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Today we\u2019re checking out Summoner Wars – a fantasy battle strategy card game (or something like that) by Plaid Hat Games. In Summoner Wars, players control one of the many available races in a head to head (to head to head?) battle for the planet of Itharia. Why can\u2019t a few different races share a planet? Not sure, but it\u2019s fun. Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


NOTE: I originally reviewed my copy of Summoner Wars years ago for a different publication. My review style has changed drastically since then, and I feel Summoner Wars deserves a little more attention. My review is of the 2011 version of the Master Set, which is no longer in print (to my knowledge), but the basic mechanics of the game should remain largely unchanged.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Even after years, everything looks and feels relatively new. This is in part because I\u2019m careful with my games, and in part because the component quality of the Master Set is just good. The board is well made, the box is sufficiently thick, all of the cards are printed well – I have no complaints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The art stands up to the test of time as well – all of the illustrations and graphics are great and fit the theme well. I love the color choices for the different factions. My one gripe is that some of the art is reused on the non-unit cards. It is done in a way that makes sense, but I still would have preferred unique illustrations for the different cards. Oh, and the board is a little shinier than I would have liked. Not a deal breaker by any means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Setup is extremely simple, and is outlined well in the rule book. Both players pick a faction and take all of the associated cards. Lay out the game board, dice, and wound markers in a convenient location, then set up the board according to the Summoner Reference Card associated with the factions in play. Each player shuffles their deck, and sets it in the designated area. It\u2019s worth noting that players do not<\/em> draw at the beginning of their turn, so you will not start with cards in your hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The goal in Summoner Wars is simple. Take down the enemy summoner(s) before they take yours down. Like chess, there is no end game scoring, achievements, or victory points. You just have to take down the king. Unlike chess, the summoner actually can defend itself pretty well, and has unique special abilities to that end. Turns are divided into six phases – Draw, Summon, Play Events, Movement, Attack, and Build Magic. Note that the first player\u2019s first turn starts at the Movement phase.
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