Wargo — The Card Battle Game

Andrew Sutherland
3 min readFeb 4, 2024

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What is Wargo? — in the realm of tabletop gaming, where every flip of a card holds the promise of victory or defeat, Wargo represents the art of war and the thrill of strategic conquest. Conceived following an unsuccessful hunt by the creator for a decent tabletop war game that only required a deck of cards; with no tedious writing, no extra pieces — this deck of cards exceeded expectations, even in early play-tests the “just one more” game sessions were an indicator of what had just been born.

Three Players Battling

The Essence of Wargo

At its core, Wargo is just the right blend of strategy and luck, where players vie for dominance on the battlefield by marshaling their forces, executing bold card-combos, and attempting to outwit their opponents. But what sets Wargo apart from other card games is its aim to be quickly learned from a 30 second video; but still have adequate depth to encourage many return plays and encourage advanced strategic creativity.

From defense cards that bolster your armies with impenetrable shields; to siege weapon cards like the mighty "battering ram," which can turn the tide of battle with its devastating power, Wargo offers a diverse array of different tools and tactics for players to employ in different ways. Let’s not forget the action cards, such as the cunning "capture" card, which allows players to seize the initiative by blindly plundering their opponent’s hand for valuable rare cards.

Wargo Cards

The Dance of Strategy

In Wargo, every decision matters, with the drawing of two cards each turn and the ability to play up to three cards, players must carefully weigh their options, anticipating their opponent’s moves while crafting their own path to victory. Will you fortify your defenses, bolster your armies, or launch a daring assault on your opponent’s legions? The choice is yours, but choose wisely, as one wrong move or prolonged hesitation can be the difference between victory and ruin.

Wargo Box, Deck and Instruction Manual

The Future of Wargo

As Wargo continues to develop there are now 2 editions in circulation for players around the world, the First Edition (which was released via Kickstarter — less than 100 decks ever produced) and the Deluxe Edition (which was released later for Amazon). With plans for expansions, tournaments, and a growing community of players eager to test their skills, this might be the next game for you.

So, watch some Wargo games on YouTube and decide if you are ready to seize your deck and etch your name into the annals of war.

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