
- BGG rating
- 4.5
Party Brawl
- 1 player
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 1979

1978
Rules assistance for Wizard
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.
Wizard is a board game released in 1978 for 2 players, 30 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.
Microgame #6 in the Metagaming Microgames series is a board game of magical combat. On a paper hex map representing an arena, players fight it out with cardboard counters. Wizards are rated for Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence and can cast various spells. Rules for combining the game with Melee are included. Included a 32-page booklet (4¼" by 7", or half-legal size), with a hex map (12" by 14") and counter sheet. Designed by Steve Jackson and illustrated by Clark Bradley. Wizard was released in a second edition published in 1979 which had a very different cover. Both were released in plastic bags. A third edition released in 1980 had almost the same cover, but was boxed. This system was later developed into Advanced Wizard, one of the three books of the The Fantasy Trip role-playing system. After Steve Jackson and Metagaming had parted he lost control of his creation. He responded to this by adapting the basic rules into a new system: GURPS, the Generic and Universal Role Playing System. Steve Jackson has reacquired the rights to TFT and is republishing it as the Legacy Version (which will include a boxed copy of Wizard). For more information, go here... https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/256884/fantasy-trip-legacy-edition Integrates with: Melee Reimplemented by: Legends of the Ancient World (RPG)
Wizard supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Wizard is 30 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 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.
Wizard 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.
Wizard belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Wargame, 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 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 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.