For fans of The Witcher universe, the iconic card game Gwent is now available in a highly anticipated physical edition. Officially known as Gwent: The Legendary Card Game, this standalone set, first unveiled in December, is currently shipping with orders being fulfilled by Amazon at a price of $45. Players can immerse themselves in tactical card battles featuring five distinct factions, over 400 beautifully re-illustrated cards, and a versatile selection of six game modes accommodating 1 to 5 players.
Developed by No Loading Games and published by Hachette Boardgames, the physical version of Gwent recently appeared on Amazon`s storefront. While not explicitly listed as a pre-order, estimated delivery times of three to four weeks suggest Amazon is still processing initial inventory. The game is offered directly by the publisher and benefits from free shipping via Amazon.
A Complete Set for Every Witcher Fan
A notable distinction of this physical adaptation is its “complete set” philosophy. Unlike many collectible card games, including its digital counterpart, Gwent: The Legendary Card Game is a singular, comprehensive release. No Loading Games has confirmed there are no intentions to introduce future expansions or booster packs, ensuring players receive a full and definitive experience from day one.
Factions and Cards
The physical edition of Gwent features five iconic factions: Northern Realms, Scoia`tael, Monsters, Skellige, and Nilfgaard. A vast collection of 436 cards, each boasting brand-new artwork drawing inspiration from CD Projekt Red`s acclaimed series, allows players to construct their faction-specific decks.
Diverse Game Modes
Beyond its extensive card pool, the physical edition offers six distinct game modes. “Initiation Mode” provides pre-built decks for new players to easily grasp the fundamentals. For group play, there`s a 2v2 team battle option for four players, and a “Free-for-All” mode for three to five participants. Solitary players can hone their strategies in “Solo Challenge Mode.” For purists, “Advanced Mode” encourages building decks from scratch, while “Tournament Format” adheres to Gwent`s classic competitive 1v1 rules. On average, a round of Gwent takes approximately 20 minutes.
What`s in the Box?
- 436 Faction Cards (5 Factions)
- 10 Aid Cards
- 4 Tokens
- 4 Gem Tokens
- Score Tracking Board
- Paper Game Board
- 2 Rulebooks
The Evolution of Gwent
The journey of Gwent began a decade ago as a beloved minigame within The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Its overwhelming popularity prompted CD Projekt Red to launch a standalone digital version in 2018. While official developer support concluded in October 2023, the digital game continues to thrive on consoles, PC, and mobile platforms, sustained by an active community through fan-made content and modifications.
It`s worth noting that this isn`t Gwent`s first foray into the physical realm. Limited card decks were previously released as a promotional item for The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine expansion. However, this new retail edition marks the very first time a comprehensive, full set of Gwent cards has been made available to the public.
Expanding The Witcher Universe
The Witcher universe continues to expand across various media. Beyond the Gwent card game, several other board games inspired by The Witcher video game series have emerged, including the strategic The Witcher: Old World Board Game and recent additions to the Unmatched fighting game series. This month also sees the English publication of Andrzej Sapkowski`s ninth Witcher novel, The Witcher: Crossroads of Ravens, a prequel delving into Geralt`s earlier life, set for release on September 30th.
Historically, Gwent itself, much like the acclaimed video games, draws its inspiration from “Gwint,” a game mentioned within Sapkowski`s original novels. For those interested in exploring the literary roots of The Witcher, the first seven novels are available in two convenient box sets:
- The Witcher Saga Novel Box Set (5 Books)
- The Witcher Stories Box Set (2 Books)