"The Great Work is a strategy card game where players build their magical engine by combining primal elements, verbs, and subtle modifiers into powerful, permanent spells—and battle to shape the flow of power itself."
Become an Alchemical Magister
Engage with **four primal elements**—Stone, Water, Flame, and Wind—each carrying its own polarity and unique pool of power. Will you draw from life-giving currents to fuel growth, or unleash draining storms to cripple your rival? Every spell you cast is permanent and evolves as you build your domain.
Your spells are constructed using a simple formula: **VERB + ELEMENT + MODIFIER**. This modular system allows for high strategic depth without bogging down the core mechanics.
Craft Your Arcane Engine
Master the fundamental spell types to engineer an unstoppable flow of power. The combination of these actions is the key to victory:
- 2-8 player duels for wide range of game styles
- More then 32,000 unique spell combinations!
- Play offensively or defensively - each magister can craft their own style of play
- Discover new strategies every time you play
- Color-coded cards make gameplay easy and fun
- Become the ultimate Magister and reach the ranks of the Ascended Masters!
Modifiers Add Strategic Depth
The final component of your spell is a world-shaping **modifier**. Apply subtle words like **"with Precision"**, **"with Purity"**, or **"with Fortitude"** to drastically alter how your spells behave and interact with your opponent's domain. This level of customization ensures that no two Magisters will ever build the same engine.
Victory Takes Form Through Power
Each player begins with 100 Power. To win the game, you must achieve one of two victory conditions:
- **Ascend to 200 Power:** Successfully engineer your engine to rapidly generate and maintain a critical mass of power.
- **Reduce Rivals to 0 Power:** Use direct elemental assaults and systemic crippling actions to fully drain all of your rival's magical energy.
⚠️ Still in Active Development
The Great Work is currently undergoing extensive playtesting and refinement. The core system is locked, but we are continually testing and improving balance, art, and card count. Rule changes, new spell types, and additional cards are all on the table!
Coming Soon:
- Official Public Playtest Announcements
- Downloadable Print-and-Play Demo Kit
- Kickstarter Campaign Launch Window