Cover of the game Arcana Rising

Arcana Rising

Grey Fox Games, Delirium Games, Gémklub · Board game · 2022
Ludopedia
— Ludopedia
BoardGameGeek
6.8 BoardGameGeek
Players
1–6 · best 4
Players
Solo
Play Time
20–60 min
Weight
Weight 2.1/5
Year
Year 2022
Minimum age
Minimum age 14+
Buy
— rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BoardGameGeek
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A frantic magical duel of combo building and perfect timing!

Highlights
  • Dynamic and agile engine-building
  • Unique moon phase mechanic
  • Fast and intense gameplay
  • Great player interaction
Keep in mind
  • Requires long-term planning
  • Language dependency may occur
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Grab your staff, because Arcana Rising throws you straight into the middle of an insane magical duel! Here, you take on the role of an ambitious spellcaster who wants more than just reading old books; you want real power. The goal is simple but the execution requires strategy: you need to collect arcane artifacts and cast powerful spells to master mystical knowledge. The real game-changer here is the game's rhythm, dictated by the phases of the moon. Yes, the moons change! They determine which schools of magic—such as Alchemy, Potions, or Blood Arts—will be at their peak in each round. This means it's not enough to just grab the strongest card; you have to know the exact moment to activate your 'agical engine.'

The game runs through three rounds of drafting. On each turn, you receive a pile of cards, choose one, and decide its fate: either it joins your tableau to strengthen your combo, or you discard it to trigger an immediate effect and cast a spell. It's a highly dynamic engine-building game where timing is everything. If you miss the right moon phase for your magic school, you might miss your chance to shine. At the end of the three rounds, the player who has built the most powerful set of artifacts and accumulated the most victory points will be the supreme master of magic. It's fast, intense, and perfect for those who love seeing their card strategy run like a well-oiled machine.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–6 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Crowdfunding: Spieleschmiede Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Digital Implementations: Tabletopia
Publisher Grey Fox Games, Delirium Games, Gémklub, Mirakulus, Portal Games
Designer Tim Armstrong (II)
Artist Yaroslav Radetskyi

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,197owners
283wishlist
28want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How long does a game take?
The game is quite agile, taking between 20 to 60 minutes.
What is the complexity level?
It's a medium-weight game, ideal for those who enjoy drafting and engine-building mechanics.
Can I play solo?
Absolutely! The game supports 1 to 6 players.
Are the components good?
Yes, the focus is on the cards that make up your magic engine.
Who would you recommend this game to?
For fans of fast-paced card games and those who enjoy engine-building strategies.

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