Summoner Wars: Master Set (2011) Board Game

Summoner Wars: Master Set is a stand-alone game in the Summoner Wars series, designed by Colby Dauch and published by Plaid Hat Games in in 2011. It is a card game that combines elements of deck construction, dice rolling, and grid movement, set in a fantasy world where summoners battle each other using unique decks of cards representing different factions.

Game Components of Summoner Wars: Master Set

1 Premium Game Board: A high-quality, mounted board for gameplay.

20 Wound Markers: For tracking health points of units.

5 Six-Sided Dice: Custom dice showing hits for melee, ranged, and special magic effects.

1 Full-Color Rulebook: Detailed rules for the game.

6 Complete Faction Decks: Including Benders, Deep Dwarves, Mountain Vargath, Sand Goblins, Shadow Elves, and Swamp Orcs.

How To Setup Summoner Wars: Master Set

To set up the game, each player selects a faction and builds their faction deck. The starting cards are placed on the board at set locations using the reference card included with each deck. The decks are then shuffled and placed on the draw pile. Players roll a die to determine who goes first, with the highest roller choosing to go first or allowing the other player to start. The first player begins with the move phase but does not draw cards initially.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Phases: Each turn includes phases for summoning units, moving units, attacking, and building structures. Players also gain magic (energy) and redraw cards.

Unit Deployment: Units are summoned next to gate locations on the board.

Movement and Attack: Players can move up to 3 units 2 spaces each and attack with up to 3 units per turn.

Magic Resource Management: Players must manage their magic resource to carry out actions, with incentives to attack early to gain magic.

Objective: The goal is to eliminate the opposing Summoner unit to win the game.

Player Experience

Summoner Wars: Master Set offers a low barrier of entry but a high reward for players who invest time in mastering it. The game is easy to grasp, with simple rules and an intuitive process, but it has depth in managing magic resources, deploying units smartly, and leveraging powerful events and unit abilities. Each faction has a unique play style, adding variety and complexity to the game.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and intuitive gameplay make it accessible to new players.

High Replayability: Multiple factions and the ability to customize decks offer a lot of replay value.

Strategic Depth: Managing magic resources, unit deployment, and leveraging events add depth to the game.

Customizable: Players can subscribe to faction packs and customize their decks.

Cons

Second Edition Incompatibility: Second Edition decks are incompatible with First Edition content.

Oversized Box: The game box is larger than necessary, which can be a storage issue.

Personal Thoughts on Summoner Wars: Master Set

Summoner Wars: Master Set is ideal for fans of tactical card games and those looking for a game with both simplicity and depth. It is a great option for players who enjoy strategic planning and varied play styles. The game is particularly suited for two players, although it can be played with up to four in some scenarios. With its low cost starter set and the option to expand with faction packs, it’s a game that can grow with the player’s interest and skill level.

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