Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy strategic card games with a touch of fantasy, Arcana is a great choice.
Highlights
- Varied and engaging mechanics
- Bluff and strategy at its best
- Guild customization
Keep in mind
- May be complex for beginners
- Some luck dependency
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Arcana is a strategic card game where you take on the role of a guild leader in the city of Cadwallon. Your goal is to gain influence over the city's districts by recruiting important citizens, acquiring valuable relics, and controlling strategic locations. The game is played in rounds divided into two phases: Intrigue and Resolution. In the Intrigue phase, you send agents from your guild to compete for Stake cards, which can be Personalities, Locations, or Relics. Each type of Stake card has a main arcanum (Military, Political, Spiritual, or Financial), and you need to surpass your opponents in that arcanum to win the card. Additionally, you can use Relics to bribe Personalities and secure victory points. The revised edition introduces two new guilds and optional rules that allow you to customize your gaming experience. With mechanics like bluffing, hand management, and deck building, Arcana offers a strategic and engaging experience for 2 to 4 players.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
REC
4
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Alderac Entertainment Group, Axel, Dust Games, Edge Entertainment, Fantasy Flight Games, Pegasus Spiele
Designer
Damien Desnous
Artist
Édouard Guiton, Florent Maudoux, Gary Chalk, Goulven Quentel, Miguel Coimbra, Nicolas Fructus, Paolo Parente, Paul Bonner
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
3,736owners
342wishlist
59want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play Arcana?
Arcana is for 2 to 4 players.
How long does a game last?
A game lasts about 60 minutes.
Is Arcana hard to learn?
The game has a moderate learning curve, but the rules are well explained.
What are the game components?
The game includes guild cards, Stake cards, and victory markers.
Does Arcana have expansions?
The revised edition includes new guilds and optional rules.
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