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rating
Ludopedia
7.1
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
If you love Mage Wars and want a little extra, this card is the missing upgrade.
Highlights
- Guard effect
- Creature synergy
- Unique card design
- Facilitates area control
Keep in mind
- Limited promo
- Unofficial
- Requires base game
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About the game
What you do in a play session
The "Mage Wars: Altar of the Iron Guard Promo Card" is an exclusive bonus you could have earned at Gen Con 2013. It brings a legendary spell called Altar of the Iron Guard Conjuration, which stays in an exclusive zone and boasts impressive stats: 4 Mana cost, 5 Health and 2 Armor. The coolest trick is that whenever a creature you control enters the game, you can place a guard marker on it. This means that, in addition to protecting the creature, you also gain additional control over the area – something that pairs perfectly with the Area Majority / Influence mechanic already present in the Mage Wars core. Since the game already relies on dice rolling and simultaneous action selection, this card adds an extra tactical element: you can strategically choose when to place the marker to maximize territory control while also protecting your most valuable creatures. While it’s an expansion item, it doesn’t come with extra physical components – just add the card to your deck. The game time remains around 90 minutes, keeping the experience balanced. If you already own the base game and enjoy exploring new ways to control the battlefield, this card can be a major differentiator. However, keep in mind that it’s a limited promo, so availability can be an issue, and you need the base game to use it. In short, the Altar of the Iron Guard Promo Card offers a strategic boost for fans of the Mage Wars universe who want to add a bit more tactical depth to their two‑player duels.
Expansion for
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Arcane Wonders
Designer
Benjamin Pope, Bryan Pope
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the playtime when using this card?
It keeps the base game playtime, about 90 minutes.
For how many players does the card work?
It’s designed for two‑player games, just like the standard Mage Wars.
How complex is the added mechanic?
Very simple: just place a guard marker when a creature enters.
What physical components are required?
None extra – just add the card to your deck.
Is the card official or a limited promo?
It’s a limited promo distributed at Gen Con 2013.
Do I need to buy anything else to use the card?
Yes, you need the base Mage Wars game to use it.