Masterland
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The FroGames Sheet
You draw a resource. You play your cards. End of turn: if you have units deployed, you attack automatically. You don't have to decide whether to hit. You just do it. And whoever runs out of energy leaves the table.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
A tactical card game that strips away all the superfluous
Masterland originated from a prototype by Filippo Savini, developed and published by Magari, an indie studio in Milan. The declared goal is ambitious: to merge the tactical depth of Trading Card Games with the immediate accessibility of a party game. The illustrations are by Marco Iagiongada (lines) and Lara Ongis (colors), in a vibrant cartoon style. The game generated a competitive tournament circuit even before its official release.
On your turn, you draw a resource, play cards from your hand, and if you have units deployed, you automatically attack the next player, stealing energy from them. Simple pieces, stripped-down rules, but tactical complexity emerges from resource management and planning. Games last 15-30 minutes, and the system supports 1v1 duels, free-for-all battles, or team modes for up to 4 players.
What they say abroad
"Simple pieces, intricate strategies. A minimal system that allows the player space to build their own play style."
— Magari
This game promises depth without weight. We'll see if the promise holds up after the first hundred games. First reading, July 2026.
— FroGames
Masterland
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · first reading: based on rules and official presentation, updated with first gamesYour arsenal
Four card types that build your kingdom
Resources
Each turn you draw one. They are used to play everything else: units, buildings, spells. Without resources, your kingdom stands still.
Units
The fighters of your army. If you have at least one deployed, at the end of the turn you automatically attack the next player and steal energy.
Buildings
Permanent structures that fortify the kingdom. They produce bonuses, protect energy, and change the rules of the game.
Spells
Immediate effects that turn the table. You play them, they resolve, they're gone. Perfect for striking at the right moment.
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to PlayThe rules in four steps▼
How to Play
The Flow of Each Turn
Three linear phases, zero branching. Everything you do happens in this order.
Take a resource card from the deck. That's it. You don't choose, you don't discard, you don't pay anything. It's automatic.
Spend resources to play units, buildings, or spells. You can play everything you can afford. Or keep cards in hand and wait for the right turn.
If you have too many cards, you must discard down to the limit. Every card kept is a choice: play it now or risk losing it later.
If you control at least one deployed unit, you automatically attack the next player. You steal energy. No choices, no dice. Have units? Hit them.
⏱️Your First GameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Setup is instant
Deal the cards, decide who starts. Two minutes and you're ready. No one needs to read the rules: draw a resource, play cards, attack. Three steps, zero exceptions. The first turn starts immediately.
Build your engine
In the first three turns, you decide what your kingdom will become. Those who focus on units attack immediately, while those who build structures accumulate resources for the final burst. You look at others' hands, count cards, calculate who will strike first.
The first hit hurts
Someone deploys the first unit. End of turn: automatic attack. The next player's energy drops. No discussion, no choices. Have units? Hit. The table wakes up, everyone checks their defenses.
Elimination is fast
A player runs out of energy. They are out. There's no recovery, no second chance. The table goes from four to three, then to two. Every turn counts, every resource spent can be the decisive one.
The last one standing
Two players, face to face. One has more units, the other has played a building that protects them. One turn, two turns. Then someone runs out of energy. Game over in twenty minutes, reshuffle and start again.
🐸Good to Know FirstThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to Know First
Three things you must accept
Elimination is permanent
If you run out of energy, you're out. You don't come back, you don't recover, you don't watch others play for half an hour. A game lasts 15-30 minutes, so you either re-join the next one or move to another table. But during the game, zero recovery.
Table position matters
You always attack the player to your left (or next in order). You don't choose your target. If you're seated after the most aggressive player, you'll take hits every turn. The starting position is not random.
Few cards, tough choices
It's not a deck-building game. You play with a fixed deck, few cards in hand, zero extra draws. Every poorly spent resource is immediately felt. If you're looking for infinite combos or engines that explode on turn 10, you won't find them here.
🏆Victory and DefeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win and how to lose
Victory is by elimination. There are no points, no alternative conditions.
Victory
- You are the last player with energy remaining
- All opponents have been eliminated
- Your kingdom is still standing when others have fallen
Elimination
- Your energy drops to zero
- You suffer attacks without sufficient defenses
- You mismanage resources and are left without protection
Masterland doesn't give you time to think. Either you build fast or you fall behind. And those who fall behind are out.
💬Frequently Asked QuestionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Masterland
How long does it take to learn to play?
The rules can be explained in 5 minutes. You draw a resource, play cards, attack if you have units. The first game starts immediately, with no complicated setup or trial turns. The learning curve is immediate; tactical depth emerges after a few games.
Does it work well with all player counts?
The game is designed for 2-4 players. 1v1 duels are intense and balanced, perfect for tournaments. With 3-4 players, the dynamics change: table position matters more, temporary alliances form and break. Both modes work, but the experience is different.
Is it just luck or are there real strategic choices?
Resource drawing introduces randomness, but hand management and card timing matter greatly. You must decide when to play units to attack, when to fortify your kingdom, when to hold cards for the next turn. Experienced players win more often; it's not a pure party game.
What mechanics does Masterland use?
Hand management, engine-building, player elimination, resource management. The system combines elements of Trading Card Games with a simplified structure and very fast turns.
Is it available in English?
Yes, this is the English edition published by Magari. All cards, rules, and components are in English. The game originated in Italy and was funded on Kickstarter in February 2025.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Masterland is a tactical PvP card game for 2-4 players, ages 8+, 15-40 minutes playtime, designed by Filippo Savini and published by Magari. The main mechanic combines minimal engine-building, hand management, and automatic attacks: each turn you draw a resource, play cards from your hand, and if you control deployed units, you automatically attack, stealing energy from opponents. The system supports head-to-head duels, free-for-all battles, and team modes, with fast-paced games perfect for both fillers and competitive tournaments. Available on FroGames.it.
Masterland
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
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📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
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