
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,185
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Metal Adventures
- 3–6 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2015

2020
Rules assistance for Magnum Opus: The Great Work
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Magnum Opus: The Great Work is a board game released in 2020 for 2–5 players, 30–45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Lionel Borg and its main mechanics are Area Majority / Influence, Open Drafting, and Chaining.
Come to the City of the Alchemists to complete your Magnum Opus, your Great Work, outshining those of your rivals! Under the reign of Rudolf II, Prague was a capital of the occult arts. Alchemists and personalities from all walks of life rubbed shoulders there. On the square of the astronomical clock as in the famous golden alleyway, good encounters allowed alchemists to acquire their mysterious components during skillful negotiations. The Emperor, a great lover of esotericism, intervened by influencing the actors of these brigues. He made his wishes known through a messenger carrying an enigmatic seal representing an Ouroboros.... With Magnum Opus: The Great Work, immerse yourself in Prague during Renaissance. Ask influent characters for the favors they can grant you, purchase alchemical ingredients or hinder the progress of your opponents and gather your needs to complete your Magnum Opus! —description from the publisher
Magnum Opus: The Great Work supports 2–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Magnum Opus: The Great Work is 30–45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Magnum Opus: The Great Work for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Magnum Opus: The Great Work has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Magnum Opus: The Great Work belongs to these categories: Card Game, Collectible Components, and Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Area Majority / Influence, Open Drafting, and Chaining. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Magnum Opus: The Great Work are: Lionel Borg. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Magnum Opus: The Great Work as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.