Posted in: Games, Tabletop | Tagged: Frostgrave, Frostgrave: The Wizards' Conclave, miniature games, tactical skirmish games

Review: Fantasy Game Dream Team Brings Magic to 'The Wizards' Conclave"

I was thumbing through The Wizard's Conclave the other night, checking out all of the new scenarios Joseph A. McCullough's new book has for Frostgrave. I already knew about a couple of the writers who had contributed to the book- what table-top fan doesn't know Gav Thorpe? But then it hit me- Joe had pulled together his own table-top Dream Team, a veritable Avengers of writers from the world of fantasy gaming.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

Frostgrave is already one of our favorite tabletop games and was our Best Tabletop Miniature Game for 2018. The rules for Frostgrave are easy to learn, with a campaign system that's one of the best in the industry. The Wizards' Conclave adds a bunch of new scenarios to an already fantastic game, and we'll dive into a few of those below.

Studio Tomohawk's Alex Buchel brings "Catch Me if You Can", a riotous scenario in which the warbands have to subdue rampaging mimics in order to get any treasure. The mimics look like treasure chests, bags, and other items, and attack or run away from the warbands when approached. This scenario is bonkers fun, and I'm going to play it a lot.

Buchel created Saga, one of the best historical wargames on the market.

Andy Chambers (formerly of Games Workshop, and creator of the fantastic Starship Troopers game) contributed "The Abandoned Workshop", in which warbands vie for control of powerful magical construct that is guarding a workshop full of potions. The conflict with the construct takes place in a confined space, with warbands trying to avoid attacks while gathering treasure.

Ash Barker from Guerrilla Miniature Games provided a fantastic set of scenarios where warbands try to track down a magical weapon. The Blade of Barael would make for a great afternoon of gaming and is filled with tons of cinematic moments.

My favorite scenario in the book is from Osprey Games' Philip Smith: The Stone Deep finds the warbands diminished in capacity and stripped of gear and armor, stuck in an ancient prison beneath the frozen city. The warbands will need to fight with their bare hands to try and fight their way through other inmates, prowling undead, and the prison's guards to get free. It's a harrowing adventure with a lot of potential for disaster!

There are several solo game scenarios included, both allowing for plenty of adventuring and mayhem, even if you have to play alone. Frostgrave is one of those games that plays solo quite nicely, too!

Joseph McCullough closes out the book with Strange Alliances, a four-player campaign that has a lot of double-cross potential. The warbands find themselves in possession of keys to vaults filled with magical wonders. The three scenarios involved will involve a lot of treachery and skulduggery, which is exactly what we like to see in an afternoon of skirmishing with friends!

All told, there are 16 scenarios present in The Wizard's Conclave, and they all bring something new and fun to your Frostgrave games. Other authors include Joseph McGuire, Philip Smith, Alessio Cavatore, Nick Eyre, Chris Pramas, and Sean Sutter. There's a ton of talent on display here, and you'll definitely get your money's worth.

The layout of the book is easy to follow, with lots of pictures of miniatures throughout the book. Binding is the standard Osprey Games excellence, and we can say from experience that these books hold up to a lot of play.

The Wizards' Conclave is highly recommended for fans of fantasy skirmish games, and a must-buy for Frostgrave players.

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