Magic The Gathering: Arena of the Planeswalkers Game

THIS IS A TACTICAL BOARD GAME. EACH OF FIVE MIGHTY PLANEWALKERS COME WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE POWERS AND SQUADS. IT IS UP TO EACH PLAYER TO SUMMON CREATURES AND PICK A PERFECT SPELL IF YOU WANT TO OVERTAKE THE ARENA. BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO LAY OUT ALL THE GAME PIECES. THERE ARE 5 PLANESWALKER FIGURES, 30 SQUAD FIGURES, TERRAIN BOARDS, SAND TILES, 4 GLYPHS, 30 DAMAGE MARKERS, 20 SIDED DIE, 10 - 6 SIDED COMBAT DIE, 15 ARMY CARDS, 60 SPELL CARDS, A TURN MARKER AND A GAME GUIDE. YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE THE BATTLEFIELD WITH THE MODULAR GAME BOARD AND GET READY IT FOR BATTLE. YOU CAN COME UP WITH A GAME PLAN OR USE ONE FROM THE BOOK, EITHER WAY, WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN YOU WILL DRAW A CARD, EITHER A SORCERY CARD FOR EFFECTS OR ENCHANTMENTS CARD FOR ONGOING BONUSES. ACTIVATE IT AND USE IT TO ATTACK. ROLL A NUMBER OF DICE AND COUNT THE NUMBER OF CROSSED SWORDS WHICH ARE ON THE DICE. EACH ONE IS COUNTED AS A "HIT". THE DEFENDING PLAYER ROLLS THE SAME DICE AND ELIMINATES A HIT WITH EACH SHIELD THAT HE ROLLS ON THOSE DICE. THE BATTLE RAGES ON THE MANA RICH PLANE OF SHANDALAR AND YOUR FAVORITE HERO SHOWS OFF HIS OR HER COMBAT SKILLS AND UNLIMITED POWER PLAYS. THERE IS GIDEON JURA, JACE BELEREN, LILIANA VISS, NISSA REVANE, OR CHANDRA NALAAR WHICH IS MY FAVORITE. THERE ARE MANY STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE USED TO MAKE THIS GAME EXCITING AND MEMORABLE AND EACH TIME YOU PLAY, IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. YOU CAN SUMMON ARMIES, CAST SPELLS THAT CAN CHANGE THE GAME, AIM, AND OUTMANEUVER YOUR ENEMY ON THE BATTLE FIELD TO WIN THE GAME. DID I TELL YOU THAT 2 TO 5 FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS CAN PLAY THIS GAME?? WHAT A GREAT WAY TO SPEND QUALITY TIME ! ! !

The kids and some adults have so much fun playing this game. There are so many different characters to be and the board is just incredible looking. This game will have the people playing for hours at a time. It's a tactical board game for 2-5 players and you can create your own 3D battle area. 5 different characters can cast spells and call on to creatures to help them in this awesome game. Should be a hit as a gift.....

There is magic in gathering to play this fun, new board game which anyone can enjoy -- whether they are already fans of the "Magic" universe or not. This is a strategy board game which arises from the world of super-popular, printed-card game, Magic: The Gathering. In both games, various wizards -- known as “Planeswalkers” -- battle their opponents by using various spells, enchanted artifacts, and summoning creatures to do their bidding. In this version of the game, no prior knowledge of the card game is required. I am really glad about this, since some of my children don't play the rather complex card game, and others are big fans. Here, they seem to be on equal territory and all enjoy playing together. This strategy board game is complex and can take hours,however, the booklet that comes with the set explains how to play in a straightforward manner. The game has an adaptable playing arena, which helps to make the game's winning strategies different each time. The boxed set is jam-packed with fun things. There are five avatars for each major Planeswalker (taken from the card game, and fun collectibles in themselves), numerous army pieces, various kinds of markers, several dice, and four playing boards covered with a hexagon grid. Each player (and Planeswalker) is represented by a different color, just like the card game, which helps simplify things. With rolls of the dice, cards offering enchantment and creature spells, my kids try to outmaneuver each other (sounds familiar) in order to be the last player standing. Our whole family is enjoying it!

When I saw this game, just the concept looked like something which I would be craving to play because it had magic. But, in all fairness, I must confess that I had never played a board game such as this one. In fact, I am not even too crazy about board games in the first place, so I couldn't understand why this one simply drew me in. Perhaps it was the box itself with the wizard-looking person depicted in the front; perhaps it was the concept of warring with magic – with enchantment. Whatever it was, I simply had to try it. Opening the box is, in itself, a project. There are many amazing pieces in this game. There are the planes walkers, or the ones who are the warriors, each with different powers. There are five of them. There are three cards for each plains walker, one for the walker and one each for his two kinds of creatures. The cards tell the abilities of the planes walker as well as the abilities of his/her creatures. For instance, how many lives each one has or how many moves they have, how many dice they can roll when attacking (crossed swords) and how many when defending (shield). Each plains walker and his creatures have special abilities. Each player picks his walker, gets his squads (or creatures), and the three cards to match the walker and the creatures. Each player also gets a small deck of cards that matches their color of magic. Then the players set up the board. On the back of the board is a picture of the planes walker and a short description of the planes walker. Each walker has a board, but the boards connect together to make one plain. The game comes with some extra board pieces which are placed on top of the other pieces for a 3-D effect. There are some other 3-D effects, for instance some cards which fit together and are used for a “blocking” device to keep a figure from going into a hex on the board or for vision inhibiting. The game starts by placing a figure into the starting place on the outside part of the board. Each player has magic three cards before they start. When they are on the board they get another card so each player has a seven card total, the three big ones which indicate the “powers” of the walker and four small magic cards. You can only use three cards per turn. Then they summon their creatures which are placed on the board at least five spaces away from them, each in his defending or attack position. When it's your turn to play, you choose one card. The first one is the planes walker card to get you started. When the enemy comes within range so you can attack them by throwing your “attack” dice. There are five dice, each comes with crossed swords (attack) or a shield (defend). There are swords on three sides of the dice and shields on two sides and there is a blank side on the last space. If you roll your dice and get (for instance) three swords, but your opponent rolls two shields, then two of your attacks (swords) are void and you only have one damage left. You opponent's shields protects them from your attack swords. When you have an attack left, you can place a damage token at the base of a creature. Once they have taken enough damage, they are removed from the game. When one's planes walker is killed, that person is out of the game. This game has glyphs which give you and your creatures different attributes if you land on it. As long as you keep your figure on it, it will give you the attribute. For instance, if you land on a glyph that gives you 1 toughness or 1 power, you and all your creatures have that attribute. If you land on a “knowledge” glyph, you remove it from the board but you get to draw a magic card. As you or your creatures move on the board, each space costs one movement point unless you go up on the 3-D spaces then it costs two movement points. As you play this game, you use your powers, you use your magic, and you use your cunning and thought process. The object of the game is to “kill” your opponent's planes walker because then they are out of the game. You have to know the attributes of your opponents so you can defend yourself and also be able to use your own powers. There is a lot to this game and it can become habit forming. It's interesting, challenging and it makes you think strategically. There is magic in this game which can be learned only by playing the game. The best way to learn about this game, especially if you have never played any game like it, is just to play it. From the unpacking to the learning the attributes of your and other's walkers so you can defend yourself is a challenge. The more you play the game, the more involved you get. It draws you into its world of battle and magic and creatures with amazing powers

My son actually requested this game for Christmas. I'm sorry I don't know much about it. I told him it was no longer available so that he will be surprised when he comes home from college for Christmas. I know they start playing this game in high school and it continues through college. His friend even goes out of town to play in tournaments, even on their trip to San Diego Comic Con! I can say without a doubt my son will be taking this boardgame back to school with him. There are six young men in his apartment. Even though the game is for two to five players that still won't be a problem since one is usually studying. I'm thrilled that there will be a game they basically all play together. I did peek into the box to check on the quality of the board and pieces. It appears to be well made. Also, this is a game that the brighter young men play. I know it is involved with a lot going on. It originally started with the card game and now has evolved into a 3D battle arena with even more going on!!

This is a magic the gathering board game specifically for the planeswalkers. It is a game for 2-5 players to compete and try to outwit your opponents planeswalker. It comes with 5 very well painted planeswalker models for gameplay. Their names are Gideon, Jace Liliana, Chandra and Nissa. It is a cool 3d battle arena where you set up all your cards, models and creatures, such as dragons. Game play is simple and aged for 10+. If you are a magic fan; you should give this a try and may the best planeswalker win!

My son has taken an interest into things like this so I figured we would attempt this game. I have NO knowledge at all when it comes to this game, So therefore there was a learning curve for myself to teach my kids how to play. This game was easy to set up, pieces are phenomenal and very high quality, board is 3D and does have cardboard cut outs for ruins. The pieces all line up on the edge and you go from there. The instructions are very detailed and a little confusing but I think they were only confusing because I have no knowledge what so ever when it comes to this. Once I learned and read the instruction book it was a little easier, however I kept having to refer back to it as a reference as we made our way across the board and had battles. Overall this is a very nice game, just don't expect to get it and be able to understand how to play right away if you are new to this kind of game. Game board was easy to set up, its a puzzle piece layout, pieces are little creatures and are very detailed. I am pleased with this board game and have nothing negative to say about it at all. I received this as part of the spark reviewer program for testing and reviewing purposes.

If you are into the Magic The Gathering card game, then this game is for you. I admit that I'm a little out of my element with this game and had trouble remembering all of the instructions for the board game. However, as I said, if you are already familiar with the card game and can follow it, then you will be able to play this game with relative ease. It has many pieces with it, 10 dice, a 20-sided die, 30 damage markers, 6 board pieces, ruins and a play marker, 5 Planeswalkers and their many creatures, 3 army cards and 12 spell cards per Planeswalker, and other pieces that I don't remember what they were called. The game guide is kind of detailed and, I believe, extensive. This is a 2 to 5 player game. There are 3 different battle set ups and the amount of moves that you are limited to make, provided you haven't beat your opponent or opponents by the time that all the moves have been made. There are many options available with the spell cards, army cards and the amount of damage that the particular Planeswalker and his or her creatures can take before they are defeated. I would give this board game a thumbs up for Magic The Gathering card game players!

This Magic board game is for players 10 years and older, however it may be a little complicated for anybody under the age of 10. The directions are long and detailed, and a game for 3 people takes about 36 turns. Approximately 1 hour. (you can decide if that is long or not). The 17 year old had no fun trying to explain it to the younger kids ( Ages 12 and 8). You could tell the kids were struggling to comprehend the rules. After all of the confusion, they just started playing the game and decided it may be best to learn as they go. They found out it was just easier that way. Also something to note for this game, you cannot use your own Magic Cards, as this game is very different than the traditional card game. Expansions are available for the die hard fans of the board game. Giving you bigger board spaces, more cards, and more figures (creatures). Besides the initial confusion, the game overall is fun, if you can get over the fact that it is absolutely not like the traditional card game, which should not be a draw back if you have any interest in Magic the Gathering merchandise. My personal recommendation would be, give it a try and you might just be surprised how much you really enjoy it.

My husband has been playing Magic the Gathering cards for probably 15+ years and currently still plays every Wednesday/Thursday with his friends. I was excited about having him try out this game, but unfortunately he and his friends tried it and none of them liked it. I asked him if he would occasionally play it every now and then and he said no. The game looks really cool, but apparently isn't very entertaining for a veteran MTG player. It comes with 30 plastic squad figurines and 5 planeswalkers (Gideon Jura, Jace Beleren, Liliana Vess, Chandra Nalaar and Nissa Revane); a 6 pc puzzle-fitting terraine board, 4 glyphs, one 20-sided die, 10 combat dice, 30 damage markers, two 3-D effect ruins, 3 sand tiles, 15 army cards, 60 spell cards and a turn marker. The game itself is heavy so I thought maybe the pieces were metal, but they are just durable plastic. According to my husband, the game is easy to learn, but thinks it would be preferable for 12+ years old to play…that are “newbies” to the game. Otherwise, they may be disappointed if they're expecting it to be like the card game MTG. It doesn't live up to the MTG name and expectations that go with that. The card play is limited to 3 per turn and there is no deck shuffling once you run out of cards. It took my husband and 2 of his friends about 30 minutes to an hour to set up and read through the instructions on how to play. They played one game and it took an additional 30 minutes to an hour to play…so about 2 hours total. I guess this may be a cool game for beginners, but not so much for anyone who is used to playing the traditional deck game(s).