The Arcane Warfare Project is a lineage of miniature wargames that reimagines ancient and medieval battles through meticulous simulation—no dice, no cards, just pure tactical decision-making. Born in 2004 with early versions relying on traditional d6 rolls, the system evolved into something far more distinctive: AWE, or Arcane Warfare Excel, a fully diceless experience where hidden tiles beneath miniature bases determine every outcome. Played on a 120 cm by 90 cm table, it strips away randomness to focus entirely on positioning, timing, and unit synergy.

Each model carries an invisible combat tile—pre-set before the game—that encodes its behavior: how far it moves, when it charges, how it reacts under fire. Players take turns claiming actions in a dynamic sequence, choosing whether to advance, hold ground, or unleash coordinated strikes—all while anticipating their opponent’s hidden intentions. There are no dice to blame, no cards to draw; victory comes from reading the battlefield and outmaneuvering your adversary with precision.

The current version, AWE 1.1, remains the only actively available iteration of the project, downloadable via Wargame Vault. It retains the core philosophy: a deep, cerebral wargame for those who value control over chance. Now in development is AWE Mini—a scaled-down variant designed for compact play on a 90 cm table, featuring magnetic bases and an integrated solo mode that introduces subtle randomization without compromising the diceless heart of the system.

What sets this project apart isn’t just its innovation—it’s its consistency. For nearly two decades, it has refused to compromise on its vision: a wargame where every move matters because nothing is left to luck. It’s not for everyone—but for those who crave depth over distraction, it remains one of the most thoughtful systems ever crafted for historical miniatures.