- BGG rank
- BGG #4,354
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Papà Paolo
- 2–4 players
- 30–75 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,326
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Warlock
2013
Rules assistance for Warlock
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–5 players
- 60 min
- 12+
- Complexity 3.3/5
For 3 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 2013 for 3–5 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Fabrice Vandenbogaerde and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Auction / Bidding, and Tile Placement.
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About the game
A curse is cast on you, which transports you to the magical land of Norkobia. You wish to return to your earthly existence, but Lord Maldorf, ruler of Norkobia, will not let you go unless you meet his demands and build him an enormous empire. In Warlock, you must use the skills and powers of mythical creatures such as giants, wizards and gnomes to build your empire and thwart your opponents. Each card offers four possibilities, and by using your cards strategically, you can build the biggest empire, be released to return home, and win the game. The aim of the game is to build an empire next to your castle, with cards that are laid out in a 4x4 grid. Every turn, players will receive 5 cards. One will be placed in their dungeon (where a card will receive a special ability), another one in Hubba's bar, where all the local creatures gather to be hired by the players. The other three cards are kept in the players' hands. The round continues with an auction where players can use their cards to purchase others. Once the auction is done, players can use their cards' special abilities to expand their empire and thus score points. Beware however of other players, as they can steal some of your cards, or destroy parts of your empire. The game calls for cunning placement of your cards in your empire and shrewd bidding in the auction phase. The game ands after three full rounds, or after a player manages to build his/her 16th city (card) in his/her empire. Points are awarded based on the value of your cities, majority bonuses and the variation of the cities built in your empire.
Designers
Publishers
- Quined Games
Questions and answers
Warlock supports 3–5 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 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 3.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
The main mechanics of Warlock are Hand Management, Auction / Bidding, and Tile Placement. Mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns, such as rolling dice, drafting cards or placing workers. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you enjoyed Warlock and want something comparable.
The credited designers of Warlock are: Fabrice Vandenbogaerde. 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.