Arcs
- Designer Cole Wehrle
- Publisher Leder Games , 2Tomatoes Games , CMON Global Limited , CrowD Games , Fox in the Box
- Illustration Kyle Ferrin
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You play officials of a decaying empire competing through battle, diplomacy and scarce resources in a dark-yet-silly setting. Actions are selected via a trick-taking deck in four suits that sets initiative and lets players declare three scoring Ambitions each deal. Combat uses dice and quick resolution where attackers choose risk and defenders rely on ships and cards in their tableau. Timing and careful hand play are central to success.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at experienced gamers (advanced to expert level) who accept ~120 minutes of playtime. Players who enjoy hand-management, area influence and tactical combat will get the most out of Arcs; newcomers should expect a learning curve.
How It Works
Action selection runs through a trick-taking card system: suits and ranks determine initiative, Ambition declaration and available actions. Tableau building and hand management shape long-term options while Area Movement and Area Majority/Influence control regions on the board. Battles resolve via Dice Rolling and Die Icon Resolution, keeping combats fast but risk-driven. Optional leader/lore modules can deepen asymmetry but are not required to play.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Cole Wehrle and illustrated by Kyle Ferrin, Arcs was published by Leder Games in 2024. It received multiple Golden Geek nominations in 2024 and won Golden Geek Best Wargame (2024). The blend of trick-taking with traditional wargame elements and tableau mechanics defines its USP.
Awards
2024
- 2024 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year — Nominated
Pro
- Innovative trick-taking action selection paired with hand-management
- Tableau-building and area-influence allow diverse strategies
- Quick, risk-based dice combat keeps battles decisive
- Strong presentation and artwork by Kyle Ferrin; recognized at Golden Geek 2024
Contra
- High complexity and a 120-minute runtime demand time and focus
- Not ideal for players seeking a light or family-oriented experience
Setting & Atmosphäre
Science-fiction space-opera: competing factions in the Reach contend for influence within a collapsing empire. The tone mixes grim decline with moments of absurdity, reflected in art and narrative.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Learn the core trick-taking action flow and the importance of timing first; play without optional modules to grasp the base systems.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No. Arcs is designed for 2–4 players.
How long does a game really take?
Official duration is about 120 minutes; setup and initial teaching will extend first sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Best for experienced gamers comfortable with hand-management, area control and medium-to-heavy games (min_age = 14).
How does this compare to similar games?
Arcs uniquely fuses a trick-taking action system with tableau-building and wargame mechanics, differentiating it from pure area-control or pure card games.
Is this suitable for families?
Given the complexity and 14+ age recommendation, it suits families only if players are older and experienced.
What mechanic makes it special?
The trick-taking-based action selection combined with tableau-building is the standout mechanic.
Fazit
Arcs is recommended for players seeking a tactical, card-driven space wargame with 120 minutes of depth. Choose it if you want tight interplay of card timing and area control; avoid it if you need a short, casual family title.
