Magister Navis is a naval simulation wargame set in the ancient world, recreating battles between the great galleys that dominated the Mediterranean during the Greek, Roman, Carthaginian, Persian and Phoenician eras. It is the modern evolution of Mare Nostrum, one of the very first Brazilian miniature wargames, originally released in 1993. Now reimagined with new rules, deeper tactical elements and supported by 3D-printed miniatures, Magister Navis brings the classic concept to a new generation of players.
The game places two commanders in direct confrontation, each controlling a naval fleet made up of different types of vessels. Light ships such as liburnas and biremes offer speed and maneuverability, while mid-sized triremes and quadriremes balance firepower and mobility. The massive quinquerremes, hallmark of the Roman navy, represent heavy strength and large troop capacity. Merchant ships, such as corbitas, are included for scenario and campaign missions.
Each galley has its own characteristics, including hull points, oar rows, movement class, internal capacity and armament options. Players can equip their vessels with ranged weapons like archers, ballistae, catapults, onagers and the feared Greek fire, as well as boarding troops ranging from auxiliaries to legionaries and the classiarii, Rome’s naval infantry. These options allow players to assemble entirely customized fleets using the Point Construction System, giving the game a high level of strategic freedom.
Magister Navis does not use a fixed board. Battles take place on any flat surface, usually between 60×60 cm and 90×90 cm, allowing ships to maneuver using a special ruler that determines movement, weapon range, angles and lateral drifting. The game features detailed rules for forward movement, course changes, drifting, attack speed, maximum attack speed, ram attacks, oar-breaking, grappling and boarding, faithfully and dynamically simulating ancient naval warfare.
Battles unfold in structured turns with defined phases: initiative, movement, ranged combat and boarding actions. Resolutions use six-sided dice and reference tables specific to each ship and weapon type. Damage to the oars reduces mobility, hull damage can sink ships, and eliminating boarding troops allows entire vessels to be captured, creating dramatic and historically accurate situations.
The game includes markers for drifting, grappling, damage and fire, as well as ship record sheets used to track everything that happens during the battle. The level of detail is ideal for both casual players and fans of historical simulation.
In addition to the core rules, Magister Navis provides ready-to-play scenarios, suggested fleets, quick-play formats and options for building balanced campaigns using the point system. Combined with a full line of 3D miniatures specifically sculpted for the game, including ships, terrain pieces and mythological creatures, the system delivers a complete and immersive experience for anyone interested in recreating the great naval clashes of antiquity with tactical depth and visual impact.
Magister Navis is, at its heart, a fusion of tradition and innovation. It preserves the spirit of the original Mare Nostrum while introducing refined mechanics, updated components and a universe of possibilities made possible by modern miniature gaming. If you would like, I can create a shorter version for the back cover, a cinematic version for a trailer, or an academic version for historical context.
—description from the designer
Miniatures, Nautical, Wargame · Dice Rolling, Measurement Movement
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