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The Fantasy Trip: Death Test and Death Test 2
- 1–4 players
- 60 min
- 2019
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- BGG #13,801
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Melee & Wizard
2018
Rules assistance for Melee & Wizard
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 30–60 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.5/5
Rules assistant for Melee & Wizard
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Melee & Wizard is a board game released in 2018 30–60 minutes per game and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I) and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Grid Movement.
Expansions
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About the game
Originally released in 1977 and 1978, the two first releases in The Fantasy Trip series, Melee and Wizard, were out of Steve Jackson's reach during the eighties when the classic Pocket Box was first produced. Finally, we're able to present these two great games in an 80s-styled package, making this the "What If?" edition you're sure had to have existed in the early days of gaming. Melee -- Create characters in just a few minutes -- then send them into the arena. Winners become stronger and faster for the next battle. Losers die. Each counter in this fast-moving game is a single warrior. Players choose weapons and tactics for their fighters, and send them into combat against men, beasts, or monsters -- to victory, or death. Wizard -- The magic companion to Melee -- sorcerous combat, in the arena or in the dungeon. Create your wizard, choose his spells, and go into combat. Zap your foe with fireballs or lightning. Summon giants, dragons, and wolves to destroy them all. Or be subtle and entangle them with Magic Rope and Slippery Floor spells. Successful wizards gain skill and power. Losers die. Includes rules, classic-sized counters and maps, and three 12mm d6. Two games in one! —description from the publisher
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Steve Jackson Games
Questions and answers
The listed playing time for Melee & Wizard is 30–60 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 Melee & Wizard for ages 10 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.
Melee & Wizard has a complexity rating of 2.5 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.
Melee & Wizard belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Fighting, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Dice Rolling, and Grid Movement. 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 Melee & Wizard are: Steve Jackson (I). 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 Melee & Wizard 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.