Wizard's Quest

Race across a map of orc-infested territories to find your three magic items while a dragon eats everyone.

Designers: Mick Uhl, Garrett J. Donner, Willis P. Carpenter, Michael S. Steer
Published by: The Avalon Hill Game Co
Editions by: Schmidt Spiele, Klee, Schmidt France, Pelito

Peacemaker the Wizard is tired of centuries of war over the island kingdom of Marnon, so he sets up a quest: whoever finds their three Magic Items first rules the land and ends the bloodshed. That is the setup of Wizard's Quest, a 1979 fantasy wargame. The map has 36 numbered territories and eight castle spaces. Orcs sit in about a third of the territories, you place your Men in the rest, and an opponent hides your Magic Items for you to find. Each turn the Orcs multiply and then frenzy, hitting nearby Men at random, while a Dragon flies around eating Orcs and Men alike. The Wizard visits regions to bring peace and prosperity, and you may petition him. Up to six players, around three hours.

Orcs repopulate and frenzy every turnA Dragon eats Orcs and Men alikeFind your three Magic Items to win

Who it's for

You like old-school fantasy wargames where the monsters are as much of a threat as your opponents, with four players and a free afternoon.

Not for you if…

You want control over outcomes. Orcs and the Dragon strike indiscriminately, and a long game can turn on their whims.

Vibe's take

Chaotic and gloriously pulpy. The Orcs, the Dragon and the Wizard all act on their own, so you plan around a map that keeps misbehaving.