Battles of Arunia is a free-to-play turn-based strategy card game focused on online PvP battles on PC. Players build armies from troop and commander cards, then engage in tactical combat where positioning, resource management and timely card plays determine the outcome.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on deck construction and battlefield decisions. Each player assembles a collection of 15 troop cards and 15 commander cards. Before a match, six troops are selected with a combined rank limit of 10, allowing varied army compositions that balance strength and flexibility. Troops belong to factions such as Knights, Vikings, Samurai and Mercenaries, each offering potential bonuses when formations align correctly.
Positioning plays a central role. Troops occupy front and back rows, with considerations for health, attack range and movement speed. Shield troops can protect adjacent or rear units, rewarding careful arrangement that controls engagement distances and shields vulnerable pieces. Each troop features three attack or ability options costing one, two or three coins, plus defined range and movement values.
Commander cards add layers of support and disruption. Up to 12 can be brought into battle but only three are set at once. Players cycle through sets by using or discarding cards, with limits on how many damage cards can be played per turn. Utility, equipment and counter cards provide ongoing effects without ending turns, while damage cards consume coins and conclude the current turn. Battle coins start at 10 per player and reset after depletion, restricting high-cost actions and forcing strategic timing across multiple cycles.
Game Modes
Online PvP forms the primary competitive outlet, where opponents scout decks and adapt armies in real time. Matches emphasize direct confrontation until one side eliminates all opposing troops. Training bots offer a separate practice environment with varied army types, letting players test combinations, refine positioning and observe interactions between troop abilities and commander effects without competitive pressure.
Deck building and collection progression tie into both modes. Tasks and quests reward new cards, while profile customization options such as portraits, borders and animated backgrounds provide personal touches. An internet connection is required even for bot battles, supporting consistent access to progression systems.
Deck Building and Faction Strategy
Successful play begins with thoughtful deck composition. The 15-troop and 15-commander structure encourages experimentation across factions to activate bonuses and counter common threats. Scouts reveal opponent possibilities before matches, prompting last-minute adjustments to the six-troop selection and initial commander set.
Faction bonuses activate through specific formations or conditions, adding depth beyond raw stats. Players learn these interactions through repeated bot matches and PvP encounters, gradually building collections that support multiple playstyles.
Is It Worth Playing?
Battles of Arunia suits players who enjoy deliberate, turn-based tactical card combat with emphasis on positioning and resource timing rather than fast reflexes. Its free-to-play model and bot training mode lower the barrier for learning core systems before entering PvP. As an Early Access title developed by a solo creator, the game remains open to balance adjustments and feature refinements based on community input, with plans to expand card options and replace placeholder artwork over time.
Those seeking a straightforward competitive card game with army-building depth and formation tactics will find the mechanics rewarding once the rules click. The requirement for an internet connection and the current developmental state mean participants should expect ongoing changes alongside opportunities to influence future content through feedback.
