# Wandering Towers

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2022
- **BGG Rating**: 7.3
- **BGG Rank**: #724
- **Players**: 1-6 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 30 min
- **Weight**: 1.58 / 5
- **Designers**: Michael Kiesling, Wolfgang Kramer
- **Artists**: Michael Menzel
- **Publishers**: ABACUSSPIELE, Capstone Games, CreativaMente, Gémklub, GoKids 玩樂小子, HOT Games, MINDOK, MTS Games, Oya, Present Is Future Games (PIF GAMES), Rebel Sp. z o.o., Yaofish Games, Ігрова Майстерня
- **Categories**: Fantasy, Memory
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Memory, Race, Rondel, Solo / Solitaire Game, Take That, Track Movement

## Verdict
Perfect for those looking for a family game with tactile components and a bit of mischief. The tower-stacking system is brilliant and keeps everyone engaged.Very satisfying 3D componentsInnovative stacking mechanicFast and dynamic gameplayFun and direct interactionModerate reliance on dice luckBeing trapped can be frustratingRECOMMENDED

## Description
Imagine you're a student at the Ravenrealm Magic School and, like any dedicated (or procrastinating) student, you've left your final exam preparations until the last minute. The catch? To graduate, you must get all your wizards to the legendary Ravenskeep. But there's a twist: nobody wants to show up with empty potion bottles, and that's where the chaos begins. In Wandering Towers, the race isn't just about speed, but about how well you can manipulate the environment.

The game features a circular board where movement always flows clockwise. The real game-changer is the towers: you can move them to shorten your path or, even better, stack one tower on top of another. When you do this, you trap any wizards on the tower below. Why do this? Because capturing the magical essence of your opponents is the only way to refill your potion bottles!

On your turn, you play movement cards that determine whether you move a wizard, a tower, or both. Some cards have fixed values, while others depend on dice rolls. If you're clever, you can spend your potions to cast powerful spells that can shift the course of the game. Ravenskeep itself isn't stationary either; the castle advances across the board as wizards arrive, making the goal mobile and unpredictable. To win, you'll need strategy, a good memory to keep track of tower positions, and a bit of mischief to trap your classmates. It's a dynamic game with great tactile components and that 'I'm almost there' tension that makes every turn exciting. Whether playing solo to test your skills or in teams to dominate the school, the goal is clear: arrive first, with full potions, and secure your master's degree!

## How to Play
Game Objective  
In Wandering Towers, players control wizards attempting to reach the Raven Castle while using wandering towers to imprison opposing wizards. The goal is to be the first to:  
  
  Fill all of your magic potion vials (by flipping them to the full side).  
  Move all of your wizards into the Raven Castle.  
  
The game ends when a player fulfills both conditions. In case of a tie, the player with the most filled vials not used in spells wins.  

Setup  
  
  Assemble the track by joining the 4 terrain pieces and place the Raven Castle on the starting space.  
  Position the 9 towers on the first 9 spaces to the right of the castle, alternating towers with a raven shield and without a shield (the first must have a shield).  
  Select the spells "Move a wizard" and "Move a tower" and leave them visible. Store the others.  
  Shuffle the 90 movement cards and deal 3 to each player, face down. Form a draw pile with the rest.  
  Each player chooses a color and takes their wizards and potion vials (number varies by player count, see table in the manual). Place the empty vials in front of you.  
  Position the wizards on the towers in clockwise order, respecting the limits per tower (3 wizards on towers 1-3, 2 on 4-6, and 1 on 7-9).  
  

Gameplay Flow  
Players act in clockwise turns. On their turn, the active player performs 2 actions:  
  
  Play a movement card from hand, execute the movement, and discard the card.  
  Repeat the process with a second card.  
  
After the actions, redraw cards to have 3 in hand. If you cannot play, discard all and draw 3 new ones, moving a tower 1 space as a bonus.  

Actions and How to Play  
Types of Movement Cards  
  
  For wizards: Move one of your wizards (numeric value or die). If it ends in the Raven Castle with an exact count, the wizard enters and your turn ends.  
  For towers: Move any tower (except the Castle). Towers can stack and imprison wizards by landing on them.  
  Mixed: Choose to move a wizard or a tower.  
  
Imprisoning Wizards  
If a tower lands on wizards, the player flips an empty potion vial to full (maximum 1 per movement). Imprisoned wizards remain hidden until the tower is moved again.  
Magic Spells  
In the basic game, use the spells "Move a wizard" or "Move a tower" by spending full vials. You can only use 1 spell per turn.  

End of Game and Scoring  
The game ends when a player:  
  
  Fills all potion vials.  
  Places all wizards in the Raven Castle.  
  
The current round is completed to equalize turns. In case of a tie, the player with the most unused full vials wins.  

Tips for Winning  
  
  Imprison wizards early: At the beginning, there are more wizards on the track, making it easier to fill vials.  
  Prioritize vials: Besides reaching the castle, filling them is essential for victory.  
  Use towers strategically: Stacking towers can block opponents or free your trapped wizards.

## FAQ
### Is the game hard to learn?
Not at all! It's an entry-level game with simple rules that let you get started very quickly.

### Can I play it solo?
Yes, the game includes a solo mode for those who want to test their strategies before facing friends.

### How long does a game last?
It's quite fast, usually around 30 minutes, making it a great 'opener' for a game night.

### Is it suitable for children?
Yes, as an entry-level game with 3D components, it's usually a big hit with kids and families.

### Does luck play a big role?
There is some dice influence on certain cards, but hand management and tower positioning are the real keys to victory.

### What happens if my wizard gets trapped?
You'll need the top tower to be moved away so your wizard can be freed and resume the race.

## Price Comparison
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