Magnate

About this board game

Magnate is a two-player resource management game for the Decktet, played in about 45 minutes. Players compete to develop five districts and earn the most per-district victories.

The Grand Duke has no heirs and will award his throne to whoever does the most to lift up and develop the duchy. You are a successful but common merchant seeking a noble title, but the Duke’s failing health means there is little time to waste.

Each player builds cards on their own side of the five district cards. To take the lead in a district, build cards with a higher total rank than your opponent. The player with the most district victories wins.

Cards require suit-based resource tokens to build. On every turn, already-built cards can provide resources based on a dice roll, in a system reminiscent of Catan. Unwanted cards can also be sold, giving you another way to obtain the resources needed for development.

Wealth brings its own risks: taxes are occasionally imposed on the wealthy. Managing what you build, which resources you gain, and when to sell unwanted cards is central to your effort to impress the Grand Duke.

• For 2 players
• Approximately 45 minutes
• Uses a Decktet, 2d10, 1d6, and about 12 tokens for each of the six suits
• Released in 2008

With its competition across five districts and changing resource income, Magnate turns the Decktet into a focused contest for value, wealth, and noble recognition.