# Arena: The Contest – Hydra, Ascaran the Archangel & Vanarus the Demon

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 8.4
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-8
- **Duration**: 45-90 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Alexandre Aboud, Clayton Machado, Danilo de Alcantara
- **Artists**: Guilherme Batista
- **Publishers**: Dragori Games
- **Categories**: Dice, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Fighting, Medieval, Miniatures
- **Mechanics**: Action Queue, Cooperative Game, Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, Modular Board, Player Elimination, Point to Point Movement, Tile Placement, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
Who will love it: fans of epic battles and miniatures who enjoy mixing strategy and action.Miniature action comboCooperative gameplayBoss challengeLimited exclusivityRequires sized miniaturesVariable playtimeHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Arena: The Contest – Hydra, Ascaran the Archangel & Vanarus the Demon is the latest expansion in the Arena series, released in 2019. It introduces three Kickstarter‑exclusive characters: the formidable Hydra, a 90 × 120 × 85 mm miniature with a 3‑inch base, and the heroes Ascaran, the Archangel, and Vanarus, the Demon, who occupy the Bruiser combat role—a role not present in the base game or the original expansion. The expansion not only adds these new participants but also introduces a cooperative “Boss Fight” mission that is played after the events that conclude the epic campaign. In this mission, players team up to take on the Hydra, using the exclusive miniature and special abilities unique to these heroes.

The core game mechanics remain true to Arena’s foundation: an action queue where each player plans their moves in order, dice rolls that determine attack success, grid and point‑to‑point movement, and tile placement that shapes the modular board. Player elimination raises the stakes, while each character’s variable powers ensure every game feels fresh. The game supports 1 to 8 players, with a playtime of 45 to 90 minutes depending on player experience. Its BoardGameGeek weight is listed as “n/a/5,” reflecting a moderate complexity level.

For those who love epic battles, detailed miniatures, and cooperative challenges, Arena: The Contest – Hydra, Ascaran the Archangel & Vanarus the Demon delivers an engaging, strategic experience with unexpected twists in every game. If you already own the base box or the original expansion, this new addition expands your universe of possibilities, bringing new characters, a new mission, and an extra dose of adrenaline.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
From 1 to 8 players.

### What is the average playtime?
Between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on player experience.

### Does the expansion work with the base game?
Yes, it fits perfectly with the original set, adding new characters and a boss mission.

### What main mechanics are present?
Action queue, dice rolling, grid movement, tile placement, player elimination, and variable powers.

### Who is the target audience?
Fans of medieval fantasy, miniatures, and cooperative games seeking boss challenges.

### How does the boss mission work?
After the epic campaign, players team up to face the Hydra, using the exclusive miniature and special abilities.

### Are there any component limitations?
The Hydra miniature is 90x120x85mm with a 3‑inch base; Ascaran and Vanarus are Kickstarter‑exclusive heroes.