Black Rose Wars Revised Edition: Prototype Review.
Intro
Black Rose Wars was already one of our favourite magical brawl games on the table. But now, the Revised Edition brings it back with sharpened edges, smoother rules, and a whole spellbook of smart improvements. In this video, we’ll walk you through what’s changed, what stayed the same, and whether this edition is worth your attention—whether you’re a returning Mage or stepping into the Lodge for the first time.
The Core of the Game
At its heart, Black Rose Wars is still a competitive deck-building game mixed with tactical area control. You play as Mages, each aligned with a unique School of Magic, all vying to become the next Grand Magister. Over a series of turns, you’ll program spells, summon evocations, take control of rooms, and occasionally get blasted halfway across the Lodge. It’s strategic, it’s chaotic, and it still delivers the kind of tense, thinky gameplay we fell in love with back in 2019.
New Content and Systems
The Revised Edition adds more than just a rules clean-up. It introduces brand new Schools of Magic, Evocations, and Mages—giving players even more to experiment with. There’s also a whole new stretch goal box, and an exclusive add-on called the Codex Tenebrae, which came as a reward for campaign followers. These additions aren’t just filler—they actually expand the strategic range and keep the game fresh over time.
Rulebook and Terminology Improvements
One of the most welcome upgrades is the completely overhauled rulebook. It’s clearer, easier to teach, and introduces better structure. Keywords like “Pain,” “Repeat,” and “Transform” condense some of the game’s more complex effects into understandable, standardized actions. The updated lexicon aligns with the rules from Black Rose Rebirth and Black Rose Duel, meaning it’s now easier to transition between different entries in the series.
Smarter Spell Effects and Balanced Cards
Spell effects have been revised across the board. Some mechanics that didn’t age well have been removed or replaced. Others have been made viable for more competitive play. Overall, the spells feel tighter and more balanced, and the Schools themselves are more evenly matched. If you’ve ever had that feeling that one School was just a bit too dominant—those rough edges have been smoothed out.
Updated Quest and Event Systems
Quests and Events, which were sometimes unclear or too slow, have been cleaned up as well. Quests now use the “Advance” keyword, letting players place cubes on their Quest Cards and resolve objectives faster. During the Black Rose Phase, each Mage draws two Quest Cards and keeps one, giving players more choice and flexibility from round to round.
Room Effects and Layout Changes
Rooms have also been rebalanced. They’re now divided into two families: Ancient Rooms from the original game, and Reborn Rooms from Rebirth. These can be used interchangeably in matches thanks to a compatibility rule. Activation Tokens now display the Power Points reward for players who help devastate a room, and those tokens are removed from the game after scoring—simplifying the final tally. Also, just like in Rebirth, room actions are now printed directly on the tiles, which is a huge usability upgrade.
Component and Graphic Upgrades
While the aesthetic remains true to the original, the graphics have been retouched for clarity. Cards are easier to read, icons are more intuitive, and everything from the board to the tokens feels a bit more polished. But one of the most praised upgrades is replacing the infamous rose pins for Evocations with colored silicone rings—borrowed from Rebirth. It’s faster, cleaner, and far less fiddly.
Evocation System and Clean-Up Fixes
Speaking of Evocations, their system got a rework too. Now, during the Evocation Phase, each Mage can activate one Evocation in turn order. This change adds a touch of predictability and structure that was missing before. The Evocations themselves have also been adjusted to better reflect appropriate power levels.
Balanced Mage Defeats
Scoring from Mage defeats now feels more balanced. The player who deals the most damage gets 5 Power Points, second place gets 2, and everyone else who contributed gets 1. It’s a fairer way to reward engagement without making the game snowball too harshly.
Solo Play and Avatar Inclusion
For those who prefer—or need—to play solo, the Revised Edition includes a new Avatar: the Slenderman. This AI-controlled Mage acts on behalf of the Black Rose and follows the rules already used in Black Rose Rebirth. A new Activation Token system makes its behavior easier to track. Whether you’re playing alone or with just one other player, the Avatar adds a smart, balanced challenge to keep the game interesting.
What About the Old Edition Owners?
If you already own the original game, this Revised Edition won’t make your copy obsolete—but it does make it harder to go back. The rules are smoother, the spells more balanced, and the usability upgrades are hard to ignore. For fans of the game who play regularly, upgrading makes a lot of sense. And if you’re just starting out, there’s really no reason to hunt down the first edition anymore.
Verdict
Black Rose Wars: Revised Edition is a carefully tuned re-release that manages to stay true to the original’s magical combat core while cleaning up the messier parts. It’s not a reinvention—it’s a restoration. You get more content, smarter mechanics, and cleaner play, all without changing the soul of the game. Whether you’re in it for the tactical deck-building, the area control, or just the joy of blowing your opponents off the board with a perfectly-timed spell, the Revised Edition brings it all together with clarity and care.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Black Rose Lodge at its best, this is the version to do it with.
Thanks for watching. Let us know in the comments—what’s your favourite School of Magic? And are you planning to pick up the Revised Edition? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more honest board game content from Beastie Geeks.
– David & Greg
Hype & Hopes: 9.0/10
