Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy tactical combat with miniatures and deep customization, Arena: The Contest is a fantastic choice, delivering a robust experience packed with options.
Highlights
- Deep tactical combat
- Detailed miniatures
- Modular board
- Varied game modes
- High replayability
Keep in mind
- Player elimination possible
- Initial learning curve
- Language dependency
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
In a world where the Empire has forbidden wars, epic conflicts are resolved in the Arena, where the greatest heroes of each nation face off in turn-based tactical combat. In Arena: The Contest, you assemble a team of three or four heroes, each with a unique combat role – think Tacticians, Healers, and Bruisers – and dive into battles full of strategy and combos. The beauty is that each turn, your hero has a move and an attack action, and the rules are so intuitive that even beginners pick it up quickly. But don't be fooled, the game is incredibly challenging! With unique attacks, a modular battlefield that you customize with walls, debris, and even lava, and the possibility of adding artifacts and scrolls, no two matches are ever the same. In Competitive mode (PvP), it's you against another team, fighting until the last hero. In Cooperative mode (PvE), it's more narrative-driven: your team of four heroes embarks on an epic campaign through Tanares to unravel an ancient mystery. Face missions with varied objectives, make tough decisions that shape the story, and prepare for dragon bosses that will test your courage. The campaign unfolds over several sessions, with your heroes gaining experience to level up and acquire permanent boosts or temporary items. Arena: The Contest is highly adaptable, allowing you to tailor the experience to your liking, whether playing individual quests or diving headfirst into the story. It's a treat for anyone looking for a tactical combat game with great depth and replayability.
Expansions
Published additional content
Arena: The Contest – Dragon Collection
Arena: The Contest – Dragons of Tanares
Arena: The Contest – Harun the Shapeshifter
Arena: The Contest – Hydra, Ascaran the Archangel & Vanarus the Demon
Arena: The Contest – Imperial Box
Arena: The Contest – Legendary Box
Arena: The Contest – Lizz the Medusa
Arena: The Contest – Madness Box
Arena: The Contest – Tanares Adventures
Arena: The Contest – Tanares Character Pack
Arena: The Contest – Tanares Mystical Pack
Arena: The Contest – Tanares Penumbral Pack
Arena: The Contest – Tanares Villain Pack
Arena: The Contest – The Elder Dragon
Arena: The Contest – The Gold Dragon
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
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
BEST
3
REC
4
BEST
5
OK
6
REC
7
OK
8
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Dragori Games, Board Zeppelin, Galápagos Jogos
Designer
Alexandre Aboud, Clayton Machado, Danilo de Alcantara
Artist
Guilherme Batista
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
2,712owners
978wishlist
102want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play Arena: The Contest?
The game can be played by 1 to 8 players, offering flexibility for solo games, duels, or team-based combat.
What is the average playtime for a game?
A game of Arena: The Contest typically lasts between 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the game mode and number of players.
Is Arena: The Contest a complex game for beginners?
While it might seem complex at first glance due to its tactical depth, the game features intuitive rules and a quick-start guide to help beginners learn easily.
What are the main components of the game?
The game stands out for its 32 detailed miniatures, a modular board that allows for unique scenario creation, and many other high-quality components for immersion.
Does the game have a cooperative mode or is it only competitive?
Arena: The Contest offers both! You can battle in a competitive PvP mode or embark on an epic cooperative PvE campaign, facing missions and mysteries together.
Is there a lot of replayability in Arena: The Contest?
Absolutely! The modular board, a vast selection of heroes with variable powers, unique attacks, and the option to add advanced rules ensure that no two games will ever be the same.
Do I need a translation to play the national version?
The national version released by Galápagos is already in Portuguese. For imported versions, there might be a moderate language dependency, making a translated spreadsheet or cards useful.
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