Wu Wei — Journey of the Changing Path

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Board Game

Physical First Edition
Front and back of the Wu Wei: Journey of the Changing Path First Edition box

A game rooted in the Tao

Wu wei (woo-way): align with nature; act without forcing. The idea runs through the game's materials, changing board and choices.

Yin and yang
Balance and change shape the board's visual language and the rhythm of play.
The four seasons
A useful route now may call for a new approach next season.
Chi and the eight directions
Energy, movement and position connect philosophy to the decisions at your table.

Videos

Reviews

Reviews 1–9 of 61

Unfiltered Gamer review image
Michael WrightUnfiltered Gamer

“If you like a game that’s art stylized, beautiful, quality components and a racing style game since that’s basically what it is, tactical racing with pitfalls and blunders that…

Love 2 Hate & Hard 2 Master review image
Lance & JeremyLove 2 Hate & Hard 2 Master

“They did an amazing job in the way that they did this. When it showed up I was like ‘Oh my goodness, this is amazing!’ — “You like to see companies that, they’ve thought about…

BoardGameGeek review image
Delton P.BoardGameGeek

Wu Wei feels like chess, but with more options and variability. Each turn introduces changes in the board, Chi values, blockages, and inactive temples. It takes a few plays to…

Pop Culture Uncovered review image
Brook H.Pop Culture Uncovered

For those that love abstract strategy, Asian-themed games, or even philosophy and martial arts, then Wu Wei will probably be an excellent addition to your collection.

Het Spelletjes Koppel review image
Sander and LisaHet Spelletjes Koppel

Wu Wei not only looks fantastic, the quality is also very good. The rules are very clear and it is nice that you have 3 levels to play, so you can make it harder or easier. We do…

Undead Viking Videos review image
Lance MyxterUndead Viking Videos

Wu Wei presents the players with fun and interesting choices and it has a very open feel to it. I never felt hemmed in. I felt like I was on a journey with my student and master…

GeekDad review image
Jonathan LiuGeekDad.com

Wu Wei is one of those games that will attract passersby at a convention just because it looks so elaborate when it’s all set up. If you’re a fan of abstract strategy or if you…

Doug & Doug Gaming review image
Doug & DougDoug & Doug Gaming

We had WEI too much fun with this one *wink wink*… no but seriously, this is an amazing game and a must have for your collection!

Nothing Sacred Games review image
Teal FristoeNothing Sacred Games

Wu Wei is a rare game with the elegance of an abstract, yet every detail contains deep meaning. Each game feels dynamic with a simple resource system ensuring that advantage flows…

Learn the First Edition

Watch the rules explained, read the rulebook or practice in the interactive tutorial.

Interactive tutorial

Practice First Edition movement and training through guided lessons in the app.

Begin the tutorial

The game at your table

Guide your student to five martial arts masters, collect their animal cards and return to the center with your own master and lineage. Along the way, changing seasons and other players reshape your route.

Begin at Initiate level, deepen your practice at Master level, or bring the emperor into play. The physical game offers three multiplayer modes and a solo mode, with room to grow as you learn.

The complete First Edition setup with illustrated tiles, wooden pieces, animal cards, chi tokens and colored bags

Illustrated terrain, wooden pieces and colorful chi bring the journey into your hands.

The story behind Wu Wei

Justin Waggle

Game designer · Owner of Gray Wolf Games

Justin began studying Tai Chi Chuan, Kung Fu and Qi Gong at the Taoist Institute in Los Angeles. Over a decade of training, he earned Black Sashes in Kung Fu and Tai Chi and became an instructor.

The idea for Wu Wei arrived about two years into that journey: a way to share what he was learning through a game. His hope is that players find their own experiences of learning, creating and adapting, along with the pleasure of playing together.

Justin Waggle, designer of Wu Wei and owner of Gray Wolf Games

Acknowledgements

Character Paintings and Box Art
Matthew Waggle
Animals, Elements, and Terrains
Yan Li
Solo Campaign Development
Mike Mullins
Rulebook Editing
Dustin Schwartz
Special ThanksDedication, family, friends, teachers and the board game community

Dedication

It is with great respect and admiration that I dedicate this game and the message of Wu Wei: Journey of the Changing Path to my mentor, ally, and friend, Sijo Carl Totton. Without his gentle guidance and patience, none of this would have been possible.

— Justin Waggle

Family

As always a big thank you to my whole family but especially to my mom, Cynthia Garrett; my dad, Jeffrey Waggle; my step-mom, Patricia Hodgkin; my grandfather, John Johnson; my uncle, Bill Johnson; and my brother, Matthew Waggle for their unwavering support.

Friends and Playtesters

Rick Robinson, Natasha Harris, James Paul Xavier, Dan Krieg, David Nett, Frederick Snyder, Ed Robinson, John Wallis, Daniel Blackmer, Antony Kolitsos, Gabrielle Durio Kolitsos, Nicholas Kolitsos, Matt Hammons, and Andrew Nienaber.

Martial Arts Family

Sifu Hashim Thomas, Dr. Gideon Rubin, Brett Rushworth, Simon Barrett, Thorne Humphrey, Jonny “Blu” Klamer, Terrence “LB” Brotherton, Arjuna Hillman, John Carrick, Jorge Ochoa, Charlotte Backus, Stephanie Nealey Palaad, Sifu Bill Rosary, Erin Gray, Greg Mgerian, Sharon Feingold, Mike Kaufman, the Herbertson family, the Parker family, Dr. Reiko Aoo, Dr. Adam Chidekel, Dr. Pedram Shojai, Dr. Thomas McCombs, Sifu Johann Sasynuik, Sifu Abdul Latif Ferguson, Sijo Antwione Alferos and the Whipping Willow Martial Arts Association, Sifu Michael Matsuda and the Martial Arts History Museum

Board Game Community Supporters

Matthew Austin, Joey Vigour, Darrell Louder, Brent Kinney, Brian Finifter, Michael Lee & Richard Lee and the whole team from Panda Game Manufacturing, Jonathan Liu from GeekDad, Chris Cantrell from Riot Games, Andrew “Tig” Wartluft, René Schep, and all the magnificent Kickstarter backers