Res Arcana
- Designer Thomas Lehmann
- Publisher Sand Castle Games , 17wanzy (Yihu BG) , ADC Blackfire Entertainment , GaGa Games , Galápagos Jogos
- Illustration Julien Delval
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You play a mage who gathers essences like Life, Death and Gold, crafts artifacts and claims Places of Power across several rounds. The game uses tableau-building elements and multi-use cards: components and cards offer different abilities you can trigger. A typical playtime is around 60 minutes with iterative collect-and-act rounds.
Who Is This Game For?
Res Arcana is aimed at hobby gamers who enjoy tight, strategic sessions; Thomas Lehmann is credited as the designer. The ~60 minute playtime fits game-night slots; prior experience with hand management and resource planning helps.
How It Works
You choose a mage and use essences to place artifacts or claim monuments. Core mechanics include Hand Management, Income and Multi-Use Cards; turns proceed clockwise with one action each until all players pass. Open Drafting and Race elements create competition over Places of Power, and the game uses a score-and-reset flow between rounds.
What Makes It Special
Thomas Lehmann blends tableau building with concise card-play design in Res Arcana. The game received multiple 2019 nominations, including Golden Geek categories (Best Card Game; Best Strategy Board Game; Board Game of the Year) and an International Gamers Award nomination. The clear essence system (Life, Death, Elan, Gold) defines its identity.
Awards
2020
2019
2019
- 2019 Board Game Quest Awards Best Game from a Small Publisher — Nominated
- 2019 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Compact playtime (~60 minutes) with meaningful decisions
- Distinct mechanics mix: Hand Management, Multi-Use Cards, Tableau Building
- Strong alchemy theme with identifiable essences
- Multiple 2019 award nominations (e.g., Golden Geek)
Contra
- Player count limited to 2–4; no solo option listed
- Designed for experienced players; learning curve for resource optimization
Setting & Atmosphäre
Alchemy/fantasy setting: mages manipulate essences such as Life, Death, Elan and Gold, craft magical items and vie for power in towers, groves and catacombs as described in the game text.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding essences and the multi-use functions of your cards; clarity on priorities keeps the game manageable.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No. The listed player count is 2–4, so no solo mode is indicated.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 60 minutes and consists of several rounds with collect and action phases.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with hand management and resource-focused games is helpful; Res Arcana is aimed at hobby gamers.
How does this compare to similar games?
It pairs compact card play with tableau-building and multi-use cards, differentiating it from pure deckbuilders or worker-placement titles.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 12 and strategic depth, it's better suited to families with older or experienced players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of Multi-Use Cards and Hand Management alongside tableau elements defines the experience.
Fazit
Recommended for hobby gamers who want strategic, 60-minute plays with little setup. Not ideal for those seeking long campaign-style games or very lightweight rules.
