# Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas: Malleus Maleficarum

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 7.1
- **BGG Rank**: #9224
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 45-90 min
- **Weight**: 2.50 / 5
- **Designers**: Enrico Pesce, Federica Rinaldi
- **Artists**: Paolo Vallerga
- **Publishers**: Heidelberger Spieleverlag, Ludofy Creative, Post Scriptum, Scribabs
- **Categories**: Fantasy, Maze, Miniatures, Racing
- **Mechanics**: Action Points, Grid Movement, Hand Management

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love maze games with a touch of malice and cool miniatures.Very dynamic board manipulationMiniatures have great presenceExpansion adds strategic layersWell-balanced risk and rewardModerate language dependencyLearning curve for beginnersRECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready to enter an ancient and mysterious monastery where the architecture is as unstable as your opponents' patience! In Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas: Malleus Maleficarum, you take on the role of a monk on an urgent mission: recovering lost books. But it's not just about walking; you must manipulate the environment itself. By using your cards, you rotate and move footbridges, carving paths for yourself and, perhaps, blocking your rivals' way. To pull off strategic leaps, you have the Liber Fidei cards, which allow special maneuvers, but be careful: each one is a unique resource that can only be used once per game. The first player to collect all their books claims victory.

Things get really interesting with the inclusion of the Malleus Maleficarum expansion. The game now gains a chaotic element with the arrival of the Black Monk. This ghost isn't there to help; he wanders the room cursing anyone who crosses his path. The twist? You can discard cards even during other players' turns to manipulate this specter's movement and mess with your opponents' plans. If you're daring, you can even intentionally accept curses to unlock the Malleus Maleficarum cards, which are absurdly powerful. The catch is that the price is steep: curses drain your action points or limit the number of cards in your hand. It's the classic risk-reward dilemma: do you play it safe or become a cursed monk to crush the competition? With detailed miniatures and a modular board that changes every game, the experience is tactical and dynamic, requiring you to plan every step while dealing with your friends' mischief.

## FAQ
### Is the game too complex?
It has a medium weight (2.5 on BGG). It's not a gateway game, but once you understand the action points and movement mechanics, it's easy to pick up.

### How long does a game last?
Usually between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on how much time you spend sabotaging each other.

### Do I need a translation to play?
Yes, there is a moderate language dependency, especially for the special cards, so a translation sheet is very helpful.

### How many people can play?
From 2 to 4 players. It works well in any configuration, but with 4, the competitiveness peaks.

### What's in the box?
The complete base game plus the Malleus Maleficarum expansion, including the miniatures and the new Black Monk rules.