Mage Knight Board Game
{{Italics title}}
{{about|the Mage Knight Board Game|the collectible miniatures series|Mage Knight}}
{{short description|2011 cooperative role-playing board game}}
{{Infobox game
|name=Mage Knight Board Game| subject_name =
| image = Mage_Knight_Board_Game_Box_Art_2011.png
| designer = Vlaada Chvátil
| publisher = WizKids
| illustrator = J. Lonnee, Chris Raimo, Milan Vavroň
| players = 1–4
| ages = 14+
| playing_time = 60–240 minutes (per scenario)
| skills = Strategy, Tactics, Logic
}}
Mage Knight Board Game is a board game for 1 to 4 players designed by Vlaada Chvátil and released in November 2011.{{Cite web|last=WizKids|date=2014-12-23|title=Mage Knight {{!}} WizKids|url=https://wizkids.com/mage-knight/|access-date=2021-10-01|website=WizKids {{!}} Dedicated to creating games driven by imagination|language=en-US}} The game can be played solitaire, competitively, or cooperatively. It is based on the related collectable miniatures game, Mage Knight. It has been rated as one of the top single-player board games.{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Byron Alexander|title=Session Report: Mage Knight Board Game and the Sandbox|url=https://entropymag.org/session-report-mage-knight-board-game-and-the-sandbox/|access-date=2021-10-02|language=en-US}} The BoardGameGeek 2024 People's Choice Top 200 Solo Games poll ranked Mage Knight Board Game as the number 2 solo game, its third year in a row at that position.{{Cite web |title=2024 People's Choice Top 200 Solo Games (1-250) |url=https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/345687/2024-peoples-choice-top-200-solo-games-1-250 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=BoardGameGeek |language=en-US}}
Gameplay
Image:Mage Knight Board Game In Progress.jpg
In the Mage Knight Board Game a player controls one of four Mage Knights, exploring the Mage Knight universe and fighting against powerful enemies. Players choose between a number of scenarios to play, with each scenario having a particular objective to meet, such as conquering cities, controlling land areas, investigating mysteries, etc. Players create the game board using tiles as described within the scenario documentation.{{Cite web|last=Biewer|first=Brian|date=2019-08-23|title=Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition Review|url=https://www.boardgamequest.com/mage-knight-ultimate-edition-review/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Board Game Quest|language=en-US}}
Each character has a 16-card deck used for actions and movement. Players begin the game with a hand size of 5 cards. Hand size increases as characters level up by defeating monsters. The map is slowly revealed as players explore to reveal new tiles. Enemies are placed on the map as the board is revealed. The game time is tracked using rounds utilizing a Day/Night mechanic. When a player’s deck is empty at the start of their turn, the round will end and advance to the next Day/Night cycle. The game continues until a predetermined number of game days have elapsed, at which point the game ends. If the objective has been met, as described within the scenario, the players win. If the objective has not been met, the players lose.{{cite web|title=Mage Knight Ultimate Edition Rulebook|url=https://wizkids.com/posters/repository/wizkids/MKUE%20Rulebook%20BOOKLET.pdf|website=Wizkids|access-date=1 October 2021|archive-date=30 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530064515/https://wizkids.com/posters/repository/wizkids/MKUE%20Rulebook%20BOOKLET.pdf|url-status=live}}
= Characters =
- Arythea: The Blood Cultist
- Goldyx: The Winged Green Lizard
- Norowas: An Elven Leader
- Tovak Wyrmstalker: A Knight
- Braevelar: A Druid (Shades of Tezla Expansion)
- Wolfhawk A Solitary Warrior (Lost Legion Expansion)
- Krang: A trollish chieftain/shaman (Krang Character Expansion)
Expansions and Re-releases
Three distinct expansions released for Mage Knight:
- Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion was released in December 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://wizkidsgames.com/blog/2012/09/14/mage-knight-board-game-expansion-the-lost-legion/|title=Announcing the first expansion to the critically acclaimed Mage Knight Board Game – the Lost Legion! : WizKids Games|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-date=2021-03-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323124850/http://wizkidsgames.com/blog/2012/09/14/mage-knight-board-game-expansion-the-lost-legion/|url-status=live}}
- Mage Knight Board Game: Krang Character was released in 2013{{Cite web|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/144763/mage-knight-board-game-krang-character-expansion|title=Mage Knight Board Game: Krang Character Expansion|website=BoardGameGeek|access-date=2018-10-31|archive-date=2018-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031214853/https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/144763/mage-knight-board-game-krang-character-expansion|url-status=live}}
- Mage Knight Board Game: Shades of Tezla was released in July 2015{{Cite web|url=https://wizkids.com/mage-knight-shades-of-tezla/|title=Mage Knight: Shades of Tezla|website=WizKids|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031174022/https://wizkids.com/mage-knight-shades-of-tezla/|url-status=live}}
Mage Knight Board Game: Ultimate Edition was released in December 2018 by WizKids. The Ultimate Edition included the base game along with all of three previously released expansions.{{Cite web|url=https://wizkids.com/mage-knight-ultimate-edition/|title=Mage Knight Ultimate Edition|website=WizKids|date=26 February 2018|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125212102/https://wizkids.com/mage-knight-ultimate-edition/|url-status=live}} Mage Knight: Dual Color Card Expansion was released in 2019 and included cards that were previously only contained within the Ultimate Edition.{{Cite web|title=Mage Knight: Dual Color Cards Expansion {{!}} Dice Tower News|url=https://www.dicetowernews.com/node/5448|access-date=2021-10-02|website=www.dicetowernews.com}}{{Cite web|last=WizKids|date=2019-04-08|title=Upgrade Your Adventure with Mage Knight: Dual Color Cards Expansion —Available Now! {{!}} WizKids|url=https://wizkids.com/2019/04/08/upgrade-your-adventure-with-mage-knight-dual-color-cards-expansion-coming-soon/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=WizKids {{!}} Dedicated to creating games driven by imagination|language=en-US}}
In July 2016, the Star Trek: Frontiers board game was released utilizing gameplay and systems from Mage Knight Board Game.{{Cite web|date=2015-08-14|title=Star Trek: Frontiers Board Game – Coming Soon from WizKids|url=https://www.redraccoongames.com/2015/08/14/star-trek-frontiers-board-game-coming-soon-from-wizkids/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Red Raccoon Games|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=WizKids|date=2015-08-14|title=Star Trek Frontiers {{!}} WizKids|url=https://wizkids.com/star-trek-frontiers/|access-date=2021-10-02|website=WizKids {{!}} Dedicated to creating games driven by imagination|language=en-US}}
In March 2024 WizKids announced a new expansion, The Apocalypse Dragon, which is expected to be released in 2025.{{Cite web |title='Mage Knight' Returns With 'The Apocalypse Dragon - Expansion Set' |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56451/mage-knight-returns-with-the-apocalypse-dragon-expansion-set |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}
Critical reception
The overall reception of the board game was positive. Entropymag says that the game "stand(s) apart from even the best sandboxes found in electronic games."{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Byron Alexander|title=Session Report: Mage Knight Board Game and the Sandbox|url=https://entropymag.org/session-report-mage-knight-board-game-and-the-sandbox/|access-date=2021-10-02|language=en-US}} TechRaptor rated it a 10.0 and described it as "one of the best, if not the best, solo game on the market."{{Cite web|title=Mage Knight Board Game Review - So Good Solo!|url=https://techraptor.net/content/mage-knight-board-game-review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031174100/https://techraptor.net/content/mage-knight-board-game-review|archive-date=2018-10-31|access-date=2018-10-31|website=techraptor.net|language=en-US}} Board Games Land similarly mentioned that it "holds the crown as the best solo board game"{{Cite news|url=https://boardgamesland.com/best-solo-board-games/#MageKnight|title=Best Solo Board Games 2018 - Top 10 Revealed|date=2018-10-07|work=Board Games Land|access-date=2018-10-31|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031220349/https://boardgamesland.com/best-solo-board-games/#MageKnight|url-status=live}} and The Thoughtful Gamer said "you know it’s going to be difficult, but in the end it’s going to be a rewarding experience."{{Cite web|date=2017-07-23|title=Mage Knight Review - The Thoughtful Gamer|url=https://thethoughtfulgamer.com/2017/07/23/mage-knight-review/|access-date=2021-10-01|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303112105/https://thethoughtfulgamer.com/2017/07/23/mage-knight-review/|url-status=live}}
Within the first month of the game's release it was sold out due to an overwhelming response, prompting a second release.{{Cite web|title=Mage Knight Board Game is Sold Out|url=https://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/mage-knight-board-game-is-sold-out|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Tabletop Gaming News|archive-date=2020-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203195158/https://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/mage-knight-board-game-is-sold-out|url-status=live}}
=Awards and honors=
- 2011 Nominee for Dice Tower's Best Game of the Year Award for {{Cite web|url=http://wizkidsgames.com/blog/2012/04/17/quarriors-mage-knight-and-star-trek-fleet-captains-nominated-for-the-dice-towers-2011-best-games-of-the-year/|title=Quarriors, Mage Knight and Star Trek: Fleet Captains nominated for the Dice Tower's 2011 Best Games of the Year : WizKids Games|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-date=2020-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029161248/http://wizkidsgames.com/blog/2012/04/17/quarriors-mage-knight-and-star-trek-fleet-captains-nominated-for-the-dice-towers-2011-best-games-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}
- 2012 International Gamers Awards: Nominee in the General Strategy category{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationalgamersawards.net/nominees/2012-nominees|title=2012 Nominees: International Gamers Awards|access-date=2021-09-30|archive-date=2021-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222340/https://www.internationalgamersawards.net/nominees/2012-nominees|url-status=live}}
- 2012 Golden Geek Award for Most Thematic Board Game from Board Game Geek.{{Cite web|url=http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamehonor/20995/2012-golden-geek-best-thematic-board-game-winner|title=2012 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game Winner | Board Game Honor | BoardGameGeek|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-date=2015-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729202913/http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgamehonor/20995/2012-golden-geek-best-thematic-board-game-winner|url-status=live}}
- 2013 Origins Awards Best Board Game Nominee{{Cite news|url=https://www.theologyofgames.com/theology-of-games/2013/04/04/origins-awards-nominations-announced|title=2013 Origins Awards Nominations Announced!|work=Theology of Games|access-date=2018-10-31|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031214852/https://www.theologyofgames.com/theology-of-games/2013/04/04/origins-awards-nominations-announced|url-status=live}}
- 2012 Spiel der Spiele Hit für Experten Recommended{{Cite web|url=http://www.spielepreis.at/PRESSE/SDS2012/folder/Folder_SdS_2012_deu_150.pdf|title=Österreichischer Spielepreis 2012|website=www.spielepreis.at|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923161625/http://www.spielepreis.at/PRESSE/SDS2012/folder/Folder_SdS_2012_deu_150.pdf|url-status=live}}
- 2012 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game Nominee{{Cite web|url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamehonor/20123/2012-golden-geek-most-innovative-board-game-nomine|title=2012 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game Nominee {{!}} Board Game Honor {{!}} BoardGameGeek|website=boardgamegeek.com|access-date=2018-10-31|archive-date=2018-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031174025/https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamehonor/20123/2012-golden-geek-most-innovative-board-game-nomine|url-status=live}}
In 2019, Mage Knight Board Game was inducted into the Origins Award Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|title=45th Annual Origins Awards Recap!|url=https://www.originsgamefair.com/news/45th-annual-origins-awards-recap|access-date=2021-10-03|website=Origins Game Fair|language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://wizkids.com/posters/repository/wizkids/MKUE%20Rulebook%20BOOKLET.pdf Mage Knight Rulebook]
- [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/96848/mage-knight-board-game/credits Mage Knight] at BoardGameGeek