How to play Gwent: Rogue Mage – Beginner’s Guide

Gwent: Rogue Mage is a new single-player expansion to CD Projekt Red's Multiplayer card game, Gwent. This expansion is a rogue-lite card builder that will see you progress through a small story and various events and battles as you try to complete each run. Here is how to play Gwent: Rogue Mage and a beginner's guide to get you started.

Gwent: Rogue Mage General Tips

• Spend Energy wisely. Use it when the cards are failing you.
• Don't always add to your deck. Consider the purpose of each card.
• Read card descriptions, and learn their synergies.
• Plan your route each run. Always defeat one Elite Battle.

Gwent: Rogue Mage Game Basics

Gwent: Rogue Mage game mechanics are the same as the traditional Gwent Multiplayer game when you are in a match. You win a round by finishing the round with the highest total score after both players of passed.

Gwent: Rogue Mage Card Mechanics

In Gwent: Rogue Mage, a standard battle will only last one round. There are only two lanes, melee and ranged. Cards can be placed on any row. Be sure to read your and your enemy's cards carefully to understand their abilities. Cards will often synergize together, an example being:

• Tridam Infantry: Whenever this unit is boosted, damage a random enemy unit by 1.
• Temerian Drummer: At the end of your turn, boost the unit to the right by 1.

Playing a Temerian Drummer to the left of a Tridam Infantry will mean that each turn, the Tridam Infantry will be boosted. This will trigger its effect, damaging a random enemy by one.

Related: Gwent Crimson Curse Spoilers Card List – Full Card Reveals of Newest Expansion!

Gwent: Rogue Mage Banner Cards

You and your enemy will also have Banner cards. These cards are always on the field and have a unique order effect. At the start of each battle, read your opponent's Banner card, as it will give you some indication of the theme of the deck.

Gwent: Rogue Mage Spells

You will also have access to Spells. Spells can be cast by selecting Alzur, which range from damaging enemy units, empowering your units, or randomly summoning a unit to your field. Spells have a one-turn cooldown and use Energy to cast. Energy is a finite resource that must last you an entire run, and can be replenished by particular events or by visiting a Place of Power.

Gwent: Rogue Mage Events

The significant difference in Gwent Rogue Mage is the rogue-lite elements and the overworld map, which consists of the different events. They are:

• Boss Battle: A powerful monster awaits you. Defeat it to obtain a mutagen.
• Elite Battle: A formidable enemy awaits you. Defeat them to evolve your key card.
• Battle: A regular enemy awaits you.
• Event: Something interesting can be found here.
• Place of Power: Restore energy or use a special ability based on element.
• Treasure Chest: Gain a treasure.

Each event type has its rewards. In each run, you should aim to complete one Elite Battle to evolve your key card. While adding and removing cards to your main deck before the showdown with the Boss. There are many cards and artifacts to be found that can help you succeed on your run, be sure to experiment with new cards and read their descriptions carefully. 

For more on Gwent guides, check out What is Gwent Rogue Mage? Price, Platforms, and Gameplay here on Pro Game Guides.