Mental arithmetic
Attack and support cards repeatedly practise small additions and subtractions without a worksheet.
All games
Card game · arithmetic
VM Fantasy Battle
Build an army from number cards, launch attacks and call for support. Every move turns into a calculation the whole table can see.
- 2–4players
- 4–10years
- 10–20minutes
10 armies · 2 games · ready to printThe idea
A number line disguised as a fantasy battle
Each unit card has a value. The cards in front of a player show the current size of that army. An ATTACK subtracts units, SUPPORT adds units and a patron can grant one carefully timed +5 boost.
After every change, the player rebuilds the army with a new combination of cards. A total of 7 might be 5 + 2, 4 + 3 or a single 7. The arithmetic is visible, movable and easy for another player to check.
Choose from ten armies: Knights, Zombies, Orcs, Goblins, Fairies, Wolves, Dwarves, Elves, Dragons and Trolls. With two or three players, everyone plays for themselves; four-player Battle uses two teams.
Learning through play
What children practise
The calculation has an immediate purpose: it decides what happens to an army. That context makes repeated practice feel like part of the game.
Number composition
Rebuilding an army shows that one total can be made from several different combinations.
Decision making
Players choose between attacking, taking support or saving their one-use patron for later.
Four clear steps
How to play the main battle
Begin at 10 units for the easiest game. Move to 15 or 20 only when every player is comfortable with the range.
- 1
Build the armies
Each player chooses an army, places unit cards worth 10, 15 or 20 in front of them and keeps the remaining unit cards as a reserve. Put the +5 patron face up.
- 2
Choose one action
On a turn, draw one ATTACK against an opponent, draw one SUPPORT for your own army, or use your patron once for +5.
- 3
Say the calculation
Work out the new total aloud, then rebuild the affected army from any matching combination of its unit cards.
- 4
Reach zero
An army at 0 is defeated. With two or three players, the last army wins; with four players, the surviving team wins.
Adjust the game
Two games with one set of cards
Battle · arithmetic
Attacks and support practise addition and subtraction. Choose one of three difficulty levels:
Beginner · start at 10
Use attacks −1 to −3 and support +1 to +3. Agree on 10 as the highest total if you want a firm ceiling.
Adventurer · start at 15
Use attacks −1 to −5 and support +1 to +5. The larger range creates more ways to rebuild an army.
Hero · start at 20
Use the whole deck, including −6 attacks. Play without a ceiling when everyone is ready.
Duel · comparing numbers (high-card game)
For a faster second game, every player flips one army card. The highest value wins the round; tied leaders flip again. Most won rounds wins.
Each player uses the 18 cards of one army. Leave ATTACK, SUPPORT and patron cards aside. The game ends when a player cannot reveal a card at the start of a round. If cards run out during a tie, no point is awarded for that last round.
Free
Download the free game
Download the rules, five army packs, action cards and optional Battle Logs separately. For two-player Battle, choose an army pack and one action set (I or II). For three or four players, use four armies and both action sets. Duel needs only army unit cards. Card labels and logs are in English; the Czech and English rule booklets are available separately.
A4 · 100% scale · 2 army packs + 2 action sets
Battle Logs
Optional worksheets for written calculations. Record changes under MY ARMY and attacks under ENEMY ARMY with the target army's initial, for example O: 10 − 2 = 8.
Download PDFVM Fantasy Battle
Choose an army
Choose an army to learn about its story, patron and cards.
Knights
They defend their kingdom with strength, discipline and sturdy armour.
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Zombies
They keep advancing under the Necromancer's command.
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Orcs
Strength and resilience led by a determined chieftain.
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Goblins
Quick and cunning fighters guided by their shaman.
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Fairies
Agile forest fighters led by the Emerald Queen.
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Wolves
The pack relies on speed, teamwork and instinct.
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Dwarves
Stout defenders of mountain strongholds, led by their king.
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Elves
Precise fighters drawing strength from forest magic.
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Dragons
A mighty flight of dragons protected by their patron.
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Trolls
Mighty, resilient fighters led by their crowned champion.
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