Res Arcana
TIGHT 60-MIN CARD-BASED STRATEGY GAME (2019) by TOM LEHMANN (RACE FOR THE GALAXY designer) — players are magi assembling ENGINE ARTIFACTS using 5 essence types (Gold, Elan, Life, Calm, Death). Signature: SMALL 8-CARD PERSONAL DECK, no deck-building — you're given a random subset that you must optimize. Play cards, produce essences, buy monuments/places-of-power for VP. Sharp + strategic + luck-limited despite small footprint. Sequel-lite to RACE FOR THE GALAXY.
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–4
Duration
~60 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
2019 Sand Castle Games / Asmodee release; expansion Perlae Imperii 2020; Lux et Tenebrae 2022
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
First player to reach 10 Victory Points triggers game end.
Rules
Basic rules
SMALL PERSONAL DECK: each player receives 8 artifacts + 1 Mage — a tight strategic hand
Signature small deck.
Each turn: PLAY 1 card, USE 1 power, PASS, or TAKE FROM MARKET (monument or PoP)
Signature 4-choice turn.
ESSENCES (5 colors) are the currency; artifacts convert essences into other essences or VP
Signature essence economy.
PLACES OF POWER (5 available): buy 1 for VP + ability; larger endgame targets
Signature PoP mechanic.
MONUMENTS: bought via essence; some VP + some ongoing ability
Signature monuments.
GAME END: turn after someone reaches 10 VP; highest VP wins
Standard trigger.
Scoring
10 VP triggers game end; sum VP from monuments + PoPs + artifacts.
Win condition · Highest VP.
Equipment
Artifact cards (8 per player) + Mages + Monuments + Places of Power + essences
Signature small deck
5 essence types (Gold, Elan, Life, Calm, Death)
Signature 5-essence economy
Terminology
- Mage
- Starting character with unique power.
- Artifact
- Card played from hand; converts essences or produces VP.
- Essence
- 5 magical currencies (Gold, Elan, Life, Calm, Death).
- Place of Power (PoP)
- Larger endgame VP source; 5 available in game.
- Monument
- Purchased VP-granting bonus with ongoing effect.
- Tom Lehmann
- American designer of Race for the Galaxy + Res Arcana.
Where it is played
Sources & provenance
- Sand Castle Games — Res Arcana— Sand Castle Games
- BoardGameGeek— BGG