VENATOR: Heroes of the Arena

In VENATOR: Heroes of the Arena, players take on the role of a Gladiator’s trainer, managing their gladiators and orchestrating epic battles to prove their skill in three deadly Arenas. Each player controls three Gladiators, one Light, one Medium, and one Heavy, and begins with a personal deck of cards and a handful of coins. Over three rounds, players refine their hands, acquire Combat Cards, and send their fighters into the Arenas to face rival Gladiators and fearsome Creatures. At the start of each round, cards are drawn and discarded, coins collected, and any missing Creatures or Objectives are replenished. During the Market Phase, players spend coins to obtain Combat Cards that offer immediate advantages or upgrades for future battles. In the Arena Phase, Gladiators are deployed to one of three Arenas, targets are chosen, upgrades applied, and combat resolved through wounds and defeated opponents. Fame is earned by defeating Gladiators and Creatures, inflicting wounds, and completing Objectives, with extra Fame awarded for leftover coins. After the final round, the Gladiator’s trainer with the highest Fame claims victory! —description from the publisher