Beginner
Origins Battle
An easy-to-learn, fast-paced game. The gameplay can be learned in a few minutes and games don't take a long time.
2–15 min
A game
20–25 cards
Your deck
Defeat 5
To win
How to play
Two games, one deck of cards. Learn to read a card in a minute, play a quick Origins Battle, then take on the long game.
2
Players
2
Ways to play, same cards
1 d6
Per player, plus health counters
6
Tribes, each with an ability
Pick your game
Whether you're here for some quick fun or a longer, more serious style of gameplay, there are two sets of rules that use the exact same cards. Games that both families and serious players can really enjoy.
BeginnerAdvanced
Ascension Campaign
A deep game of strategy, chance and identity. Gamers love this mode, but it can take a bit longer.
The long game
Settle in
60 cards
Your deck
Champion to 0
To win
New to the game? Start with Origins Battle. Everything you learn there carries straight into Ascension Campaign.
What changes between the two
Same cards, same characters, same tribes. Ascension Campaign adds a tribe bank, a Champion to protect and counterattacks.
RuleOrigins BattleAscension Campaign
Players
2
2
Deck
20–25 cards, any you like
60 cards, built to the deck rules
Opening hand
5 cards
7 cards
Bench
Up to 2 characters
Up to 7 characters or units
Tribe cards
One per character, straight from your hand: +50 health
Banked first, then attached by card value: +10 health per matching tribe card
Units
Apprentice → Guardian → Hero
Same, and each guardian and hero in the unit adds +1 in combat
Counterattacks
None
A defender who wins the roll hits back with their Intellect
A game lasts
2 to 15 minutes
Longer. Settle in.
Win by
Defeating 5 of your opponent's characters, or clearing their board
Reducing your opponent's Champion health to 0 (250 to start)
Read a card
Every character card is laid out the same way. Five things to know before your first game.
1
Character tribe
The tribe the character belongs to. Blizzmaul is Aegaryn.
2
Character value
The number of tribe cards it needs in Ascension Campaign, and a good read on its strength. Values run from 1 to 5.
3
Playing stats
Health, Power, Intellect, Offense and Defense. Intellect only matters in Ascension Campaign.
4
Tribal strength and weakness
The tribe this character is strong against (green) and weak against (red) in battle.
5
Preceding character
The unit this card belongs to. Nothing listed means a base apprentice. A name means the character you upgrade from.
Aegaryn
Abyssal
Ascyr
Duneward
Juryn
VerdariAlphaWant to help make the game better?
Tribes of Wondervale is in its Alpha phase. The rules have been through extensive internal playtesting, and they keep getting better as real players bring new strategies into the Vale. If you have thoughtful feedback on gameplay, balance, pacing or clarity, we welcome it.