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Arcomage is a minigame included in two installments of the Might and Magic series. It is included in both Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor and Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer. 3DO also released it as a stand-alone game in 2000. In the stand-alone version a single player could play against a computer opponent or two players could play via a LAN or TCP/IP connection. Arcomage is a computer based card game which takes on many of the themes of the game in which it is set. Arcomage is an actual part of the story of the game - in that characters may enter a tavern and play for money. In both games, there is a quest to win a game of arcomage in every tavern in the land.

Arcomage was developed by Stickman Games. The game was sold to 3DO.

Gameplay[]

Arcomage takes the form of a tabletop game, in which there are two players, each with a deck of cards, a "tower" and a "wall", as well as several other variables that determine whether they win or lose, and what cards they can play. As Might and Magic is a single-player game, one would always play against an AI opponent - making the game relatively easy to win.

Players take it in turns to:

  • Draw the appropriate number of cards to complete their 6-part deck (one or more cards would have been played or discarded during their previous turn)
  • Either play or discard a card, depending on their options - in some cases dicard will be the only option available, as the player might not have the appropriate amount of "gems", "bricks" or "recruits".
  • If their chosen card allows it, play again and/or choose a card to discard.

Every tavern has its different victory conditions, so players must adapt their styles for different situations.

As well as having a "Tower", "Wall" and Deck of Cards, each player also has:

  • "Quarry" - controls how many "bricks" are gained each turn
  • "Bricks" - spent on brick cards
  • "Magic" - controls how many "gems" are gained each turn
  • "Gems" - spent on gem cards
  • "Dungeon" - controls how many "recruits" are gained each turn
  • "Recruits" - spent on recruit cards

Arcomage employs a wide range of cards, each with their own name, effects and picture. Several cards were added to the original deck in Might and Magic VIII. Examples include:

  • Faerie (recruit card): 2 damage (to enemy tower/wall); play Again. Cost: 1 recruit.
  • Portcullis (brick card): +5 wall; +1 dungeon. Cost: 9 bricks.
  • Sanctuary (gem card): + 10 tower; +5 wall; gain 5 recruits. Cost: 15 gems.

External links[]

The Might and Magic series
Might and Magic RPGs I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII - IX - X
Heroes I - II (The Price of Loyalty - Desecrated Lands) - III (Armageddon's Blade - The Shadow of Death) - IV (The Gathering Storm - Winds of War) - V (Hammers of Fate - Tribes of the East) - VI (Pirates of the Savage Sea - Danse Macabre - Shades of Darkness) - VII (Trial by Fire)
King's Bounty King's Bounty - Quest for the Dragon Bone Staff - The Legend - Armored Princess - Crossworlds - Legions - Warriors of the North - Dark Side
Ardon series Crusaders of Might and Magic - Warriors of Might and Magic - Shifters
Related titles and spinoffs Arcomage - Heroes Chronicles - Legends of Might and Magic - Dragon Rage - Mobile (II) - Dark Messiah - Clash of Heroes - Heroes Kingdoms - Heroes Online - Duel of Champions - Elemental Guardians
Novels The Dreamwright - The Shadowsmith - The Sea of Mist
Cancelled installments New World Computing's Heroes V - Might and Magic Online - The Worldcrafter - New World Computing's Might and Magic X - Kingdoms of Might and Magic
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