Check out this game if: you like the art and you like somewhat crass language.
This game stands out because: There are some strategies to play, but it’s really a game of funny art and funny cards.
Positive:
1. Most first rounds, everyone can come up with a funny, clever, or useful card combination.
2. Because harmful cards typically target the lead player or a random player, you cannot get picked on.
3. The game plays up to 6 people and I believe it’s better with 4+ (although it does take longer).
4. Because more powerful hands of cards get activated later in the round, there are some interesting strategies that can be played later in the game.
5. After one round, most players understand the game, and because you need to win two rounds, the first round can be treated like a learning round.
Negative:
1. The manual tries to be funny when it should just teach the game.
2. The game can take too long with 4+, but if you enjoy your company and the game, that’s not a bad thing.
3. This game lends to King Making (King Making is when other players try to make a certain player win or loose because they are already out of the race).
Brief Overview:
In this game, the first person to win 2 rounds wins. You win the round by being the last Wizard standing. To be the last wizard standing, you will likely have to lower the health points of the other wizards, or wait for the other wizards to destroy each other.
On a turn, you can choose one to three cards to play. Players activate their cards according to how many cards they played (lowest going first) and then card rank (more powerful cards are typically activated after weaker cards). When activated, cards typically hurt other wizards, or help you. If you are the last wizard standing, you get a token, if you already have a token, you’ve won. If you are taken out of the round, you get a bonus card for every round that takes place after you are taken out.
| Number of Players | 2-6 |
| Age | 15+ |
| Time | 30 mins |
| Friendly | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Teachable | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Replayability | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Creative Freedom | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Inclusive (no elimination) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Interaction | ★★★☆☆ |
Versions:
There is only one version of this game and a few promo mini expansions. There are similar games like Munchkin (mechanically different, but game feel and humor is similar).
Teaching Advice:
The best way to teach this game is to first explain how to win (win two rounds by being the last wizard standing). Next, explain the difference between the three types of cards, how they are played, and when they get activated.
Lastly explain how you can obtain bonus cards. There are a couple ways to get bonus cards, and it’s easy to forget to take bonus cards when you are eligible for them.
Link to Video YouTube.
Link to Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards: Duel at Mt. Skullzfyre on Amazon
The review seems a bit too harsh but this is the kind of game that is REALLY group dependent. These lighter party style games tend to lean that way.
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Yeah, it sounds a little harsh, but I like the game (any game I review here is a recommendation). I’ve played this game with a variety of groups with a variety of reactions, whereas other games like Wits and Wagers never falls flat.
What’s your “go to” party style game?
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When it comes to party games I usually use digital stuff like the Jackbox series, but Telestrations always works well for larger groups and smaller groups have been enjoying Code Names Pictures a lot lately. Keep up the good work here, I enjoy seeing the reviews from time to time 🙂
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