- BGG rank
- BGG #16,489
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Warlock
1980
Rules assistance for Warlock
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 60 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Warlock
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Warlock is a board game released in 1980 for 2–6 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Bob Connor and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Campaign / Battle Card Driven.
About the game
Warlock pits up to 6 wizards together in a magic duel. The players enter the arena and cast various spells on each other trying to banish their opponents into limbo permanently. Each player has a limited amount of energy to cast offensive or defensive spells. It also costs energy to return from limbo if your wizard gets sent there for not defending against an attack. Once your energy reserves are depleted and you're banished to limbo you stay there and the remaining wizards battle until there is only one left. You may play either a black or white wizard, with your alignment affecting the casting cost of any particular spell. Each player keeps a reference chart in front of them to track the status of their wizard and compare spell effects. In the end....."There can be only one".
Designers
Publishers
- Schmidt Spiele
- Games Workshop Ltd.
- Pelito
Questions and answers
Warlock supports 2–6 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 Warlock is 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 Warlock 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.
Warlock has a complexity rating of 2.3 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.
Warlock belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Fighting. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Campaign / Battle Card Driven. 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 Warlock are: Bob Connor. 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 Warlock 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.