Res Arcana

Place the double-sided place of power tiles and magic item tiles in the center of the play area. Each player collects one of each essence type, takes a player reference card, and receives two random mages (keeping one and returning the other) along with eight artifact cards. Players shuffle their artifacts into a personal deck, draw three to form an opening hand, and then select a magic item from the available supply in counterclockwise order starting from the right of the first player.

The main goal of Res Arcana is to be the first mage to accumulate 10 or more victory points. Points are found on various components like monuments, artifacts, and places of power, often displayed within red wax seals.

The game is played over rounds divided into three steps: collecting essences simultaneously, taking actions in turn order, and checking for victory. During the action step, players may perform one action per turn: play an artifact by paying its essence cost, claim a monument or place of power, discard a card for resources, use a card's special power, or pass. Passing lets you swap your magic item, draw a card, and potentially claim the first player token.

At the end of each round, players check for victory by counting the points on all face-up components they control, including any bonus points from stored essences. The first player token also grants one victory point.

If at least one player has 10 or more victory points at the end of a round, the game concludes, and the player with the highest total wins. Ties are broken by most essences, valuing gold as double.