7 Wonders Duel is a highly acclaimed two-player strategic card game created in 2015 by designers Antoine Bauza and Bruno Cathala, with artwork by Miguel Coimbra and published by Repos Production. Based on the similar game 7 Wonders (which needs 3-7 players), 7 Wonders Duel simplifies the beloved 7 Wonders experience into a focused, head-to-head duel, allowing two players to vie for supremacy in three distinct domains—military, science, or long-term victory points. We feature the game in our Amazon Affiliate shop page here.

Gameplay in 7 Wonders Duel unfolds over three Ages, with players drafting cards from a layered tableau in a pyramid-like structure—only cards that aren’t covered may be selected, weaving depth and timing into each choice. Cards offer resources, military strength, scientific symbols, coins, or points. Alternatively, cards can be discarded for coins or used to erect the Wonders. Each player begins with four Wonders to construct, though only seven Wonders total may be built.

Three paths to victory define the game:

1. Military supremacy: play military cards to push a conflict pawn toward the opponent’s capital; reaching it ends the game instantly.
2. Scientific supremacy: acquire six of the seven distinct science symbols to trigger an immediate win.
3. Civilian victory: if neither of the above conditions is met, the player with the highest victory points wins.

This trifecta ensures dynamic gameplay, with each round brimming with tactical tension.

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Popularity and Legacy

7 Wonders Duel has earned a sterling reputation. It achieved critical and commercial success, selling one million copies within five years—twice the speed of the original 7 Wonders. The combined 7 Wonders franchise has surpassed 1.5 million units sold, with Duel contributing significantly—earning a Double Golden Pawn for its performance.

In the awards arena, it swept up accolades in 2015, including BoardGameGeek’s “Best 2‑Player Board Game” and “Best Card Game”, plus the Origins Awards for “Best Card Game” and “Fan Favorite Card Game”. It was also recommended for the prestigious Kennerspiel des Jahres in 2016.

Players and reviewers frequently cite its elegant design, replayability, and meaningful player interaction. Many reviewers consider this among the best 2 player board/card games out there, if not the best one.

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Mythological Connections

While 7 Wonders Duel is grounded in the broader narrative of ancient civilizations, its Greek (and other) mythological elements come to life particularly in the Pantheon expansion, which we’ll explore more fully shortly.

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Introducing the Expansions: Pantheon and Agora

7 Wonders Pantheon (2016)

The Pantheon expansion injects divine power and mythological flavor into the base game. In this version, players can invoke divinities from various ancient cultures—Greek, Egyptian, Roman, Phoenician, and Mesopotamian—to gain potent abilities.

How it works:

• During Age I, players acquire mythology tokens to determine which gods enter the Pantheon board.
• Age II introduces offering tokens—these enable players to bid for and invoke deities in subsequent Ages.
• Invoking a deity triggers unique powers. For example:
  • Isis allows building a Wonder for free from the discard pile.
  • Zeus lets you discard a card from the tableau, disrupting your opponent’s plans.
  • Tanit grants a windfall of gold; Enki grants choice of progress tokens; Minerva can stall the military conflict pawn.
• The expansion replaces Age III guild cards with Grand Temples—valuable buildings worth significant victory points (5, 12, or 21), especially if you hold matching mythology tokens.
• Two new Wonders are included:
  • The Sanctuary grants additional turns and discounts on god invocations.
  • The Divine Theater provides points and extra access to deities.

Critically, Pantheon tweaks the game pace and encourages thoughtful planning—while adding minimal rule complexity.

7 Wonders Agora (2020)

Agora centers around political intrigue and influence, adding new mechanics and a fresh victory condition.

Key additions:

• A Senate board attaches beneath the main board, dividing the political landscape into six sectors; controlling all sectors yields a Political Supremacy instant victory.
• Players recruit Senator cards during gameplay, placing influence cubes to vie for control over sectors.
• Controlling a sector grants an enduring decree, such as construction discounts, bonus coins, or point gains.
• Conspirator Senators allow pulling special Conspiracy cards—one-use powerful effects like sabotaging opponents by removing cards, stealing bonuses, or dismantling Wonders.
• The expansion includes two new tokens and two additional Wonders tied to the Senate theme .

Agora adds a layer of political strategy and higher complexity—appealing to players craving more interaction and tactical avenues.

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7 Wonders Expansions Comparative Mechanics and Flavor

Let’s break down how each expansion compares and complements the base game:

Expansion	New Mechanics / Theme	Adds Complexity?	Community Reception	Notable Highlights
Pantheon	Divine invocation, mythology tokens, Grand Temples	Low to Moderate	Highly praised; enriches gameplay and pacing	Mythology immersion, elegant decision space
Agora	Political sectors, senators, conspiracies, political victory	Higher	Mixed; appealing to some, overkill for others	Intricate and interactive, new victory path
Both	Combined divine and political layers	High	Loved by power-users, but heavy setup and strategy	Layers of strategic depth, but may overwhelm

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In summary: 7 Wonders Duel and Its Expansions

7 Wonders Duel stands as a modern classic in two-player strategy gaming—taut, elegant, and fiercely competitive. With multiple distinct victory paths and tight interaction, it has earned a place in many collections as a must-play duel experience.

The Pantheon expansion enriches the base game with mythological depth and powerful strategic options—adding thematic charm and evolving gameplay with minimal fuss. By contrast, Agora dives into political drama, bringing fresh mechanics and a new path to triumph, albeit with increased complexity.

Whether lightly enhancing the base game or layering it with divine and political dynamics, both expansions offer meaningful ways to reengage with this battle of civilizations. Depending on your preference for streamlined strategy (Pantheon) or multi-faceted maneuvering (Agora), you’ll find something to love—or you can brave both for a rich, full-bodied Duel experience. Visit the official website of Repos Production to learn more.