Hi!

I'm looking for art for printing a Mage Wars playmat, in order to replace the game original board for another more-portable board.

I considered buying the official playmats from Arcane Wonders store... but shipping to Spain will cost more than the playmat itself, and i risk having to pay aditional cost due to spanish customs policy 

Is there any image suitable for this? Having an official image would be great if there is one with enought resolution available (and if is considered fair to use it), but fan art too.

Official arena's images can be found at BGG - but not enought resolution for quiality printing (and not sure if it's proper to use them)
Selenia arena
Westlock arena

Also on BGG there are some fan art
Inferno arena

And some more fan art on BGG, for diferrent sized arenas
4x4 Mold arena
4x5 Forest arena
Modular temple

And finally, some more arenas here  -  but they are a bit abstract, i would like something more like the original arena.
Creative / Mage Wars playmats

Anyone know about more arena art?

Hi!

I wanted to take this topic apaprt from its father since it went pretty off topic. Original post can be found here, but ere is the start of the discussion on the mana crystal:

To break the values down further I'll explain it like this.

Mana Crystal gives the controller increased channeling, not mana. Channeling by extension gives you mana. So the (time of game-5) does give you it's effectiveness on a simple terms level. However, don't confuse channeling with just getting mana because Channeling has another benefit. That is, it increases the amount of mana you may cast on any given turn. In the long run my opponent may have gained much more mana than I but I was still able to cast larger spells earlier because I'm gaining mana faster, as opposed to slower but consistent.

Here's a turn by turn count.
Lets say 2 mages have 10 channeling.

Turn 0 = 10 mana <------ for the sake of removing values we don't need because the starting value is the same for everyone and it doesn't change the math at all.

Turn 1 = Channels 10 mana.(10) Plays mana crystal (-5). End Turn = 5 mana left. [For the sake of simplicity each turn both mages will spend 5 mana so that I can illustrate the concept of acceleration and not simple mana totals]
Turn 2 = Channels 11 mana.(16) Plays card (-5) End turn = 11 mana left
Turn 3 = Channels 11 mana.(22) Plays card (-5) End Turn = 17 mana left
Turn 4 = Channels 11 mana.(28) Plays card (-5) End turn = 23 mana left

Player 2
Turn 1 = Channels 10 mana.(10) Plays card (-5) End turn = 5 mana left
Turn 2 = Channels 10 mana.(15) Plays card (-5) End turn = 10 mana left
Turn 3 = Channels 10 mana.(20) Plays card (-5) End Turn = 15 mana left
Turn 4 = Channels 10 mana.(25) Plays card (-5) End turn = 20 mana left

Hopefully you see the pattern by now as the ever increasing ratio starts to benefit the owner of mana crystal. This ratio is described by the clause in my equation being (X*1) where x = the amount of rounds that the mana crystal is in play. "1" is a placeholder because these equation could describe the same relationship if multiple were in play.

So in conclusion, not only does the card grant you mana after turn six (which really is just a bonus for the main benefit), you gain a rate of gain bonus over your opponent which allows you to play larger more quickly. Even though you "wasted" 5 mana. Though by my calculations the "value" of mana crystal is zero after 2 and a half turns so each turn after turn 3 is when you start to reap benefits.

Now let me jump the gun here and ask myself, "why is the ratio bonus as equal to the flat mana gain bonus that takes place after 6 turns?" Well, the fact that the ratio bonus is equal is only relative to how much of an advantage it gives me over the other player. So in my opinion the values are equal, but maybe you aren't like me and think the ratio increase is worth only half that of the bonus mana crystal gives you after 6 turns. So plug in ".5" where the "1" is on the equation. The result is that it still only takes 3.33 turns to "pay itself off." Even if you put in ".25" its still a better outcome than the typical 6 turns that people think.



I hope that long winded explanation helps you to understand my point of view a bit. The old simple model isn't really wrong it's just not completely right and downplays the effects of mana crystal and the benefits.

Duh man, you maths are wrong again.

You make both mage cast 5 mana spells, but the thing is that 1 of these spell for first mage is the mana crystal. You need to compare with someone not casting a mana crystal.

So it is:

Turn 0 = 10 mana <------ for the sake of removing values we don't need because the starting value is the same for everyone and it doesn't change the math at all.

Turn 1 = Channels 10 mana.(10) Plays mana crystal (-5). End Turn = 5 mana left.
Turn 2 = Channels 11 mana.(16) Plays card (-5) End turn = 11 mana left
Turn 3 = Channels 11 mana.(22) Plays card (-5) End Turn = 17 mana left
Turn 4 = Channels 11 mana.(28) Plays card (-5) End turn = 23 mana left

Player 2
Turn 1 = Channels 10 mana.(10) (not casting mana crystal) End turn = 10 mana left
Turn 2 = Channels 10 mana.(20) Plays card (-5) End turn = 15 mana left
Turn 3 = Channels 10 mana.(25) Plays card (-5) End Turn = 20 mana left
Turn 4 = Channels 10 mana.(30) Plays card (-5) End turn = 25 mana left


You see, player 2 has 2 more mana.

I do minus 5 for all turns because this model assumes that the player plays something. Of course he will have more mana if he doesn't cast anything and I do. That's just how the game works. If he says he's not casting and waiting for a bigger turn that's fine, that is one of the strategies, but it's not pertinent to the acceleration model because in this case, as you suggest, I have gained my action back and potentially have more cards in play than he does. I just use 5 as a place holder. In a real game the turn values would be 5,2,7,13,etc.... but the model still holds as it refers to the ratio of mana gained in total over the opponent without other influences.

Does that make sense?

Well, the idea is set up a big fortress and let your economy beat the opponent... pretty standard Warlod idea, i guess. Here you got:

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]IRON WALL[/spellbookname]
[mage]Anvil Throne Warlord[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNA01]1 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA04]1 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFA02]1 x  Hurl Rock[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a09]1 x  Jet Stream[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]1 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ03]1 x  Altar of Domination[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ02]1 x  Archer's Watchtower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ03]1 x  Barracks[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ05]1 x  Construction Yard[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ04]3 x  Garrison Post[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ01]1 x  Harshforge Monolith[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWJ07]1 x  Quicksand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFW01]2 x  Wall of Earth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWW01]2 x  Wall of Pikes[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w02]1 x  Wall of Stone[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC01]1 x  Asyran Defender[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC01]1 x  Dwarf Kriegsbiel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC07]3 x  Dwarf Panzergarde[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC05]4 x  Goblin Grunt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC06]2 x  Goblin Slinger[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC11]2 x  Orc Butcher[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC14]1 x  Sir Corazin, Blademaster[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWC15]1 x  Thorg, Chief Bodyguard[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC12]1 x  Talos[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE01]1 x  Armor Ward[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]1 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e10]1 x  Decoy[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE06]1 x  Fortified Position[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e27]1 x  Marked for Death[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]1 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE05]1 x  Spiked Pit[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE09]1 x  Standard Bearer[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWQ02]1 x  Defense Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q04]1 x  Deflection Bracers[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q08]1 x  Elemental Wand[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ04]1 x  General's Signet Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFQ05]1 x  Harshforge Plate[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ06]1 x  Horn of Gothos[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q16]1 x  Leather Gloves[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ10]1 x  Meditation Amulet[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ04]1 x  Reflex Boots[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI02]1 x  Conquer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI06]1 x  Defend[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]1 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFI04]1 x  Flank Attack[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i13]1 x  Group Heal[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i17]1 x  Minor Heal[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]


The book intends for a start with [mwcard=FWJ03] Barracks[/mwcard] (12) + [mwcard=MWSTX2FFJ05] Construction Yard[/mwcard] (7) in zones adyacent to your starting corner. Second turn, move to near center and drop Garrison post on FC (3+1).

This is a slow start, but great economy (you got on turn three 9 channeling, plus 3 on the barracks and at least 1 on the construction yard). You still got 2 mana on the barracks and 6 on the mage to finish second turn.  From there, i tried to get different defences for protecting this base.

If you expect a Big Guy offence, you can runed leather gloves second turn, plus Thorg turn 3 (thinking about Lord of Fire...)
Or you can go with an Asyrian defender turn 2 to get a guarding gut turn 3.

The idea is to get nice defenders, and some effective protecting runed equipment (the main reason to choose the dwarf instead the orc). You also got an utility elemental wand to get some active protection if you charge it with jet stream or wave and gains positional advantages, plus some cheap walls.

I dropped most usuall commands in favour of some utility, letting space to armour ward and nullify to protect mage's equipment. I expect i can replace perfect strike and evade with attacks from the grunts, and jsut summon more creatures instead of battle fury / akiro's cry / power strike.

I have doubts about the altar of domination... maybe changing it for an altar of carnage for more medium term control. I considered also adding [mwcard=MW1J09] Temple of the Dawnbreaker[/mwcard] for improved survivability of the mage and its defenders... but probably is not worth it.

I just tried a similar book once, getting a terrible defeat from a very agressive wizard Which give me the idea of getting a more defensive approach on first turns so I let my build time to shine... I'm eager to try this (modified book) again

I will be glad to hear any advice or comments

Edit: i forget the meditation amulet

This is the first spellbook that i share. I usually play Warlock or Druid, but i like the Johktari. I first tried to made a johktari book with lair and small animals, but I don´t really liked. So now i tried with a different aproach, Johktari and companion, choosed to maximize Hunter's Bow ability.

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Johktari girl's best friends[/spellbookname]
[mage]Johktari Beastmaster[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNA01]3 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNW01]2 x  Bloodspine Wall[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKJ01]1 x  Enchanter's Wardstone[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j08]1 x  Hand of Bim-Shalla[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j09]1 x  Temple of the Dawnbreaker[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w04]1 x  Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j11]1 x  Idol of Pestilence[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]2 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1c33]2 x  Sosruko, Ferret Companion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKC03]2 x  Galador, Protector of Straywood[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1c07]2 x  Cervere, The Forest Shadow[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE02]2 x  Akiro's Favor[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]2 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]3 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e05]1 x  Cheetah Speed[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e07]1 x  Cobra Reflexes[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e13]1 x  Eagle Wings[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWE03]2 x  Falcon Precision[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e21]2 x  Hawkeye[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE06]2 x  Lion Savagery[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e28]1 x  Mongoose Agility[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]3 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]3 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]1 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e31]1 x  Poisoned Blood[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e03]1 x  Bull Endurance[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1q02]2 x  Bearskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q07]1 x  Elemental Cloak[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ02]2 x  Hunting Bow[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q15]1 x  Leather Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q16]1 x  Leather Gloves[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q09]1 x  Enchanter's Ring[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i04]1 x  Charge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]2 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]1 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i18]1 x  Perfect Strike[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]1 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWI08]2 x  Sniper Shot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]2 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]



Plenty of enchantments to protect my animals, and ensure they hit each turn (ideally). A couple force push / teleports in order to set up the bowgirl in position. Attacks chosen to lessen my fear of Harshforge Monolith.

A tipical start could be:

1, 19 mana - Sprint to NC + Enchanter's Ring (2) + Enchantent on self (1)
2, 25 mana - Gallador (16) + Enchantment on gallador (1)
3, 17 mana - Hunter's Bow (11) + reveals (as much as 6) + Gallador charging + Shoot

I tend to start as much quick as possible  , and this book is quick too (i'm not comfortable with economy or any other medium-long range starts). The enchantments would probably be cheetah speed on Gallador and akiro's favor on johktari, so i can charge and shoot with double chance to get a bleed (if nothing at range, Lion Savagery and some equipment/enchantment on self, so i can hit harder turn 4)

Should i try to get Fellela in in order to gain actions? I'm too conservative including a couple of each animal? Any opinions wellcome