So is the general feeling that it is better to get a big creature out early RATHER than a spawnpoint? Spawnpoints usually cost as much as a big creature (14-15 or so), so they would hinder your ability to bring out a fattie.

How do people feel about spawnpoints?

Hi there, I am going to be at Gencon next summer, and I was wondering what kind of games or events there will be for Mage Wars. I am a pretty novice player, so some introductory games or tournaments would be fun.

Anyone know?

1. I really think the game would be better served if you guys provided a cheaper starter product, like "Duel" packs with the Warlock vs Beastmaster and one with Priestess vs Wizard.  Currently, MW requires a near miniatures-level monetary commitment, and I'm worried that by not providing a cheaper, leaner product, you're setting the barrier to entry too high for card-gamers who are not used to that kind of product model.  To clarify, I'm hardly well-versed in the logistics of what it takes to successfully market a product (I'm a writing major), but while I can easily convince players of MW's merits, the price is literally a harder sell.  This is becoming a problem with my college gaming community, who I know would love the game if there was only less costly entry fee.

I like this idea of a cheaper entry product. First off, let me be clear. I am more of a board gamer and so I find that the Core Set box is very reasonable for what I am used to: the components are gorgeous, it is a complete and playable game, etc. However, I have also played CCG games, and I feel that if you are trying to attract someone with a CCG background (like Magic players), I believe that it would really help to have a super cheap starting point. What if MW offered starter spellbook kits for each of the 4 core mages? Kind of in the same spirit as MTG starter decks. They would come with the following:

1. A single spellbook with the Spell cards for that mage's starter deck (something like what is written in the core rulebook). This would have to include the Mage card and the Mage Ability card. That's roughly 60 or so cards... don't worry about extras or deck customization (see more later)
2. A folded paper arena
3. A folded paper status board
4. A collection of cardboard counters (or possibly even paper counters if price is an issue) for: status cubes, QuickCast markers, activation tokens, initative token, condition tokens, guard markers, wounds, and mana (only the ones needed by the mage's spells), etc.
5. 5 attack dice and 1 effect die
6. A rulebook

If this could be priced somewhere in the $20 range, would that open up a whole new market of players? Would more casual, "let me just try it out" guys buy these starter kits? Perhaps, you could run intro events where players buy a starter kit at the door.

I also like the appeal that players can now expand and upgrade their initial purchase.
1. Want fancier components (arena board, tokens, etc.)? Buy the "deluxe" Core Set.
2. Want to expand your mage's spell repertoire? Buy one of the Core Spell Tomes
3. Want to try out new mages? Buy another starter kit, or buy the Forcemaster vs. Warlord expansion

I would also love to get more players into this game!