# Barony: Sorcery ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2016 - **BGG Rating**: 7.6 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 5) - **Duration**: 40-60 min - **Weight**: 2.89 / 5 - **Designers**: Marc André - **Artists**: Ismaël Pommaz - **Publishers**: Matagot, Conclave Editora, Hobby Japan, Surfin' Meeple China - **Categories**: Abstract Strategy, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Medieval, Territory Building - **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Modular Board ## Verdict Fans of territory control and a dash of sorcery will love Barony: Sorcery; the magic simply ramps up strategic tension.Enhanced territory controlLuck‑free magicCompact expansionGood for 2-5 playersRequires mana managementNo random elements addedSmall learning curveDoesn’t change core rulesRECOMMENDED ## Description Barony: Sorcery is the first expansion for the already popular Barony, and it brings a splash of sorcery to the world of castles and alliances. The big twist is the sixth action that players can use: casting spells. But before they can unleash magic, they need mana, and only a handful of locations on the board provide those precious points. The race for these spots turns into a strategic showdown, because whoever controls the mana source gains an edge over the others. Even with the addition of new elements, the expansion stays true to the core of the base game. There are no dice rolls or random cards; luck remains absent. Instead, magic opens up new possibilities for rule‑bending and unexpected turns, heightening the tension and unpredictability on the board while keeping the experience firmly rooted in tactical decision‑making. For those who want to play with a fifth player, Barony: Sorcery comes with extra components: new tiles, additional wooden pieces, and a player aid that helps with rule reading. The set stays compact, and the modular board can be rearranged to create layout variations each game. The medieval theme gains a fantastical layer with wizards, spells, and mana, enriching the setting for fantasy fans. The area control mechanic remains, now blended with piece movement and mana influence, adding another layer of strategy. Territory building still serves as the core engine, as players must still conquer and defend regions to secure resources and points. In short, Barony: Sorcery is an expansion that adds depth and variety without sacrificing the clarity and flow of the original. If you enjoy abstract strategy, territory control, and a touch of magic in your mix, this expansion is a great addition. ## How to Play Objective of the Game In Barony: Sorcery, players compete for dominion over the land as one of five noble families. The expansion introduces magic as a new dimension, allowing players to cast powerful spells for strategic advantages. The goal is to earn the most victory points (VP) by controlling territories, building structures, and exploring Mysterious locations. At the end of the game, players tally points from their Control tokens, cities, strongholds, and other achievements. Preparation (Setup) Modify the base game setup as follows: For 5 players, use all 45 Territory tiles (36 base + 9 expansion). For fewer players, use 9 tiles per player, ensuring the correct number of Mysterious locations: 2 players: 3 Mysterious locations 3 players: 4 Mysterious locations 4 players: 5 Mysterious locations Place Mysterious locations at least two spaces apart. Give each player 5 Control tokens in their color. Draw 5 Spell cards randomly and place them face up. Return unused spells to the box. Place Magic tokens and Resource tokens near the board. Note: During setup, cities cannot be placed next to Mysterious locations (but this becomes possible later via actions). Game Flow Players take turns performing one of the 6 basic actions or casting spells. Key additions with the Sorcery expansion: Exploring Mysterious locations: When a knight moves to one, place a Control token and gain Magic tokens (3 for first visit, 2 for second, 1 for third). No more tokens can be placed after the third visit. Casting spells: On your turn, spend Magic tokens to activate spells or combine spells of the same category (Movement, Recruitment, or Construction). Actions and How to Play Spellcasting Instead of a basic action, spend Magic tokens to cast spells: Single spell: Pay its cost and resolve its effect immediately. Combined spells: Pay all costs, then take one action (Movement/Recruitment/Construction) with combined benefits. Spell Examples: Velocity (1 Magic): Move 1 knight 2 spaces. Charm (1 Magic): Recruit 1 knight in all your cities. Abundance (1 Magic): Build a city and earn 1 Resource token. Tornado (2 Magic): Move a knight and destroy lone enemy knights/villages in starting/destination spaces. Rules: Cannot cast the same spell twice in one action. Spells remain available to all players after use. A "lone" pawn is the only one in its space. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when a player meets the base game’s victory conditions (e.g., building a set number of cities). Then: Each Control token on a Mysterious location is worth 3 VP. Score points from cities, strongholds, and other base game criteria. Tips to Win Prioritize Mysterious locations early: First visitors earn more Magic tokens, fueling powerful spells. Combine spells wisely: Stack effects like Velocity + Teleport for efficient movement or Abundance + Petrify for city-building advantages. Disrupt opponents: Use spells like Tornado to remove isolated enemy units. ## FAQ ### How many players can play? Barony: Sorcery supports 2 to 5 players, thanks to the extra components that allow a fifth participant. ### How long does a game last? Each session takes about 40 to 60 minutes, depending on player experience. ### What is the game's complexity? The expansion keeps the complexity low to medium, focusing on tactical decisions and territory control. ### What new components come with the expansion? New tiles, additional wooden pieces, a player aid, and mana pieces for the fifth player. ### Does the expansion add luck to the game? No, Barony: Sorcery does not introduce random elements; magic relies solely on strategic choices. ### Who is this expansion recommended for? It’s perfect for fans of abstract strategy, territory control, and those who enjoy a fantasy twist without overcomplicating. ## Price Comparison ### Best Offers in Brazil - **Dalaran Games**: R$ 94,90 (https://www.dalaran.com.br/recondicionado-barony-sorcery-expansao?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/barony-sorcery ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 18.28 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3433667&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.98 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1656925&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.30 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6075538&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.37 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1418771&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/19085/barony-sorcery?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com