Frostgrave and WizWar

Northstar has a new game coming out this Summer...I'll let them tell you about it. The following is from:

We are officially announcing now the next project between North Starand Osprey Games. It's called Frostgrave, and it's a fantasy wargame set in a frozen city.Here's Ospreys description of the game: In this fantasy skirmish wargame, wizards battle amidst the frozen ruins of an ancient city, in the hopes of discovering the treasures of a fallen empire. Players take on the roles of wizards from one of ten schools of magic, and build their bands of followers. While the wizard's apprentice will usually accompany his master, more than a dozen other henchmen types are available for hire, from lowly thugs to heavily armoured knights and stealthy assassins. Wizards can build their magical knowledge by unlocking ancient secrets, with the potential to learn up to 80 different spells. As players gain power and wealth, they can develop their headquarters on the outskirts of the city, turning basic locations into bastions of their art and equipping them with alchemical laboratories, mystical forges, astronomical telescopes and other magical resources. While individual games of Frostgrave are quick and can easily be played in an hour or two, it is by connecting these games into an ongoing campaign that players will find the most enjoyment. The scenarios given in the book are merely the beginning of the limitless, thrilling adventures that can be found amidst the ruins of the lost city. We will be producing a range of metal wizards and apprentices, 20 in all, for the game. We will also be making metal specialist soldiers, and for the first time ever, a box of plastic figures. The plastic figures titled Frostgrave Soldiers will allow you to build your own customised henchmen to exploreFrostgrave. More details to follow of course, at the moment we're showing a Wizard a day on our Facebook page, make sure you have a look.The release date is July 2015 The big thing to look out for in May is theNickstarter pre-order program for Frostgrave, lots of great stuff exclusively for you guys who get in early.

Northstar's Frostgrave seems to have taken the WizWar theme and run with it. The picutres of the sorcerors look great. Each is very distinctive. If you are on Facebook, go to Northstar's Facebook page as it has a daily picture.

As for the boardgaming aspect, or if you can't wait, there is always WizWar! What's WizWar? WizWar is a game created by Tom Jolly which was published in 1985. Each Wizard has his home segment of a dungeon. In the process of trying to either kill two of the other wiazrds or capture two treasures, the wiazrds navigate and mutate the battle complex. Sections can be moved, blasted or altered.

Originally starting out as a handamade low production model, it went through seven editions until laying dormant for many years. Copies went for big price tags on eBay until Fantasy Flight Games reissued it in all its glory in 2012.

This from the publisher:

"In Wiz-War, wizards wage no-spells-barred magical duels deep in an underground labyrinth. This classic board game of magical mayhem for 2-4 players, created by Tom Jolly in 1983, pits players' wizards against each other in a stupendous struggle for magical mastery. Win by stealing other wizards' treasures and hauling them back to your base, or just score points by blasting the other wizards. The last wizard standing always wins.
Staying true to the spirit of the game that has entertained players for years, as well inspiring an entire genre of games, this 2011 edition of Wiz-War caters to the imagination and the funny bone. Casting an enriched array of spells, your wizards race through an underground maze, avoiding fireballs, werewolves, and psychic storms. Subtle game enhancements by Kevin Wilson and Tom Jolly promote faster play and clarify card effects."

Since the rissue in 2012, two expansions have been released. Malefic Curses, the first, adds a fifth player to the battle. New darker schools of magic are added: Hexcraft, Necromancy, and Chaos. Hexcraft uses powerful runes as traps. Necromancy is the power of death magic. And Chaos is chaos powerful, dangerous and unpredictable 

Bestial Forces is the second of the expansions. Draconic, Mythology, and Totem schools of magic are added with additional creatures and miniatures to represent them. Draconic magic is a magic of alteration--changing the attacks of summoned creatures and wizard spells. Mythology magic summons relics and creatures from myths. Totem magic places totems around the board which can magnify or dampen spells and effects

So, there you have it. If Wizard battles are your thing, get in line for NorthStar's miniature game. July is just around the corner. And in the meantime, pick up a game of WizWar.