Loot Studios has launched a “Dark Friday” sales event for Malediction, offering discounts of up to 33% on the game and its various packs.
While the discount percentages might not be the highest seen this season, the game itself is notable. Malediction stood out as a highlight during this year’s UK Games Expo (UKGE), offering a distinct blend of mechanics that bridges the gap between traditional card games and tabletop skirmishes.
The title boasts lore written by Tracy Hickman, best known for his seminal work on the Dragonlance novels and roleplaying modules. Loot Studios markets Malediction as the world’s first 3D-printable Miniature Card Game (MCG).
A Hybrid of Cards and Resin
At its core, Malediction is a game where character statistics and abilities are represented on cards, a format familiar to players of Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format. However, unlike standard card battlers, the game utilises a board for tactical movement.
Players control heroes represented by miniatures (or standees), navigating them around terrain pieces to create line-of-sight or tactical advantages. Combat involves checking card stats, verifying range, and utilising spells or items attached to the characters.
The game launched with four distinct factions and supports between two and four players. Due to the skirmish nature of the gameplay, players manage only a few models on the board at any one time, lowering the barrier to entry compared to mass-battle wargames.
The “Phygital” Element
What distinguishes Malediction from other skirmish games is its distribution model. While physical box sets are available, the game is designed with the 3D printing community in mind.
Cards included in the box sets feature QR codes on the reverse side. When scanned, these codes provide access to the STL files needed to print the miniature depicted on the card. This allows players with access to resin or FDM printers to manufacture their own units and terrain, potentially customising the battlefield’s atmosphere.
For those looking to take advantage of Malediction’s printability but currently lack the hardware, entry-level 3D printers have become increasingly accessible. Manufacturers such as Anycubic, Elegoo, and Creality offer hardware capable of handling the detail required for tabletop miniatures.
The game’s rules are largely contained on the cards themselves, which streamlines the learning curve, a feature that was particularly effective during demonstrations at the UK Games Expo.
Quick Links
- The “Dark Friday” sale is currently live on the Malediction store.
