game profile

Res Arcana

Lehmann mage tableau, no-shuffle decks

BGG · boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/262712

Res Arcana is a medium game (weight 4/10). Despite the modest rules footprint, the decision space is deep (7/10) — the kind of game that rewards a dozen plays. Decisions come at a steady pace (7/10) — engaged without being exhausting. There's meaningful but indirect interaction (interaction 5/10) — shared resources, catch-up effects, or watch-and-react moments. Direct attacks are minimal (2/10) — the friction comes from contention, not aggression.

Of every game in our catalog, Res Arcana is closest to Glass Road (97% profile match) but scores higher on engine (8 vs. 7).

WeightDepthDensityInteractionConflictNegotiationInputOutputCatch-upThemeEngineNarrative
Solo0/10
Fiddly4/10
Players
2P3P4P1P5+P

The 12-axis profile

Every score is on a 0–10 scale. The rubric and methodology behind these numbers is documented in the README.

Thinking

how much brainwork?
Weight
4
Depth
7
Density
7

Res Arcana is a medium game (weight 4/10). Despite the modest rules footprint, the decision space is deep (7/10) — the kind of game that rewards a dozen plays. Decisions come at a steady pace (7/10) — engaged without being exhausting.

Interaction

how multiplayer is the multiplayer?
Interaction
5
Conflict
2
Negotiation
0

There's meaningful but indirect interaction (interaction 5/10) — shared resources, catch-up effects, or watch-and-react moments. Direct attacks are minimal (2/10) — the friction comes from contention, not aggression.

Luck

where does luck live?
Input
4
Output
1
Catch-up
4

Variance is moderate (input 4, output 1/10). Catch-up is moderate (4/10).

Experience

how does it feel?
Theme
5
Engine
8
Narrative
3

The theme provides flavor (5/10) but the experience is mostly mechanical. The engine-building arc is strong (engine 8/10) — early-game investments pay off in explosive late-game turns.

Variance is moderate (input 4, output 1/10). Catch-up is moderate (4/10).

The theme provides flavor (5/10) but the experience is mostly mechanical. The engine-building arc is strong (engine 8/10) — early-game investments pay off in explosive late-game turns.

Games like Res Arcana

Ranked by weighted Euclidean distance across the 12-axis profile, using the default research-weighted lens. Click any game to see its full profile.

Frequently asked

Answers derived directly from Res Arcana's 12-axis profile.

Is Res Arcana good solo?
No — Res Arcana is a strictly multiplayer experience (solo 0/10).
What player count is Res Arcana best at?
Res Arcana is at its best at 2P, 3P; with 4P also strong; 1P, 5+P are the weakest counts.
Is Res Arcana a heavy game?
Res Arcana sits in the medium-weight range (weight 4/10). New players can pick it up in a single explanation.
How much luck is there in Res Arcana?
Res Arcana has moderate variance (input 4/10, output 1/10).
Is Res Arcana confrontational?
Res Arcana is largely non-confrontational (interaction 5/10, conflict 2/10) — leans toward parallel play.

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