Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii

Sand Castle Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Galápagos Jogos · Board game · 2021
2–5 · best 2 20–60 min Weight 2.7/5
8.8 rating Ludopedia
8.3 rating BGG
How to Play Buy
8.8 rating Ludopedia
8.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Essential for those who love the base game and want more paths to victory. Pearls breathe new life into the engine!

Highlights
  • New essence adds great versatility
  • Cool dragon and sea themes
  • More complex and fun synergies
  • Keeps the game's fast pace
Keep in mind
  • Requires base game to play
  • Increases planning complexity
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Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
If you've already mastered the art of manipulating essences in Res Arcana, get ready to level up your sorcery. Perlae Imperii arrives to shake things up, adding new layers of strategy for those seeking mystical domination. The biggest highlight here is the introduction of a brand new essence type: pearls. Imagine that now, beyond the traditional elements, you have access to these precious and pure items, which act as powerful catalysts for creating even more absurd artifacts.

But it's not just about the pearls. The expansion broadens the game's horizons, taking mages to unusual places. We have everything from seafaring mages diving for magical pearl beds to dragon tamers exploring the mysterious Blood Isle in search of ancestral creatures. This new dynamic doesn't just add versatility to the strategies you already know; it opens entirely new paths to victory, forcing players to rethink their hand management and artifact priorities.

In practice, Perlae Imperii maintains the core essence of the base game — that cerebral puzzle of 'how do I reach the victory points fastest' — but injects an extra dose of flexibility. Pearls allow you to adapt your game engine in ways that were previously impossible, making every match more unpredictable. If you enjoy card games with high indirect interaction, where every drafting decision can change the course of the game, this expansion is the perfect upgrade. It's the kind of content that doesn't change the game's soul but makes the experience much richer and more varied, turning the race for points into an even more sophisticated duel of minds. Prepare your grimoire, for the quest for the pearls of power has begun!
Expansion for
Rules manual
Rules manual — Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC
5 OK
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Game details

Families

Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Game: Res Arcana Mechanism: Tableau Building Theme: Wizards
Publisher Sand Castle Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Galápagos Jogos, Korea Boardgames, Rebel Sp. z o.o.
Designer Thomas Lehmann
Artist Julien Delval
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the base game to play?
Yes! This is an expansion, so you must own Res Arcana to use it.
Does it make the game much harder?
The complexity increases slightly because there are more options and synergies to consider, but the core logic remains the same.
How long does a game take with the expansion?
It remains very fast, usually between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of players.
Who do you recommend this expansion for?
For those who feel they've 'solved' the base game strategies and want new ways to build their tableau.
Do the pearls significantly change the gameplay?
Yes, they act as a new resource that opens doors to stronger artifacts and more flexible strategies.