Board Game
Physical First Edition

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

“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…
“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 you can fall along the way and you want something that can change a little bit and has different styles and categories you can play, then I suggest you play the game.” — “If you like beautifully produced games with a really nice Asian style to them, I suggest you take a look at ‘Wu Wei – Journey of the Changing Path.”

“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…
“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 every single thing. They didn’t have to do a lot of things they did to produce this game, but it just shows the passion they had when making this game. Not only did they come up with multiple different versions… we didn’t even talk about the one versus all!” — “They have to have pride in the product they created because it is SO WELL PRODUCED.”

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…
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 grasp a strategy, revealing new nuances with each game. Components like the inlaid board, wooden tiles, printed Chi bags, and beautiful art are impressive. However, minor flaws in board design/production prevent it from being spectacular. The game’s depth, akin to chess, may be alienating for new players. Unlike most games, Wu Wei requires ongoing mastery, with understanding increasing every playthrough. It offers a lifetime of strategic exploration.

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.

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…
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 think that the game gets better with 3+ players, because then there is more tactics involved and there is more interaction.

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…
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 but I never felt like a had to go on a certain path. And ultimately, is the game fun? Yeah! It is a lot of fun! If you are a fan of the martial arts world and clever path finding games you should check this out.

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…
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 want to see a martial arts game that isn’t about flying kicks and throwing punches but digs deeper into the philosophy, Wu Wei is certainly worth checking out. It’s perhaps not a game for everyone—you do have to have patience learning the rules and how to read the board and trackers—but I think it is rewarding for those who are, ahem, disciplined enough to master it.

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!

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…
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 between players, and with three variants the game grows with your mastery of it. I’ve enjoyed the already beautiful prototype of Wu Wei and I can’t wait to play the final gorgeous production.

Wu Wei is very much a multilayered game. Containing three different difficulty tiers of increasing engagement, a robust solo mode, and more than a few moments when you suddenly…
Wu Wei is very much a multilayered game. Containing three different difficulty tiers of increasing engagement, a robust solo mode, and more than a few moments when you suddenly understand why certain elements of the game behave the way they do thanks to an extensive but not overbearing conveyance of martial arts philosophy sprinkled throughout the rulebook, Wu Wei is a game about several different things at once. Yet it’s fairly clear from the onset that it’s not just another faceless abstract. Everything in Wu Wei is there with a purpose. Luckily, the best way to learn about it is to sit down and actually play.

Everything about this game is beautiful. The rule book is an education in Taoist and martial arts philosophy. The board is designed for the wooden and cardboard components to set…
Everything about this game is beautiful. The rule book is an education in Taoist and martial arts philosophy. The board is designed for the wooden and cardboard components to set in and the artwork and components are top-notch. The game itself isn’t hard to learn at its most basic and works well with the theme of a journey to learn martial arts from five masters.

This looks really interesting and looks really exciting. It looks unique, it stands out, and the gameplay sound intriguing. It sounds like something you want to get a bunch of…
This looks really interesting and looks really exciting. It looks unique, it stands out, and the gameplay sound intriguing. It sounds like something you want to get a bunch of pretty smart people together and see who can outwit each other.

Brilliant mix of mechanics and philosophy! On its surface this is a game about resource gathering and board control. But where this game differs is in the constantly shifting…
Brilliant mix of mechanics and philosophy! On its surface this is a game about resource gathering and board control. But where this game differs is in the constantly shifting conditions by which those resources and spaces on the board change. One moment you can be sitting on a pile of tokens that give you a huge advantage and you’re standing in a corner of the board that gives you a great position… And then something might happen that will totally upend the control that you thought you had. That’s what makes it so different and special…

Taoist-Kung Fu = the art of change. I love this board game so much. I am a Martial Artist of 24 years practice, and have learned a good portion about living and putting into…
Taoist-Kung Fu = the art of change. I love this board game so much. I am a Martial Artist of 24 years practice, and have learned a good portion about living and putting into practice Taoist philosophies. This game has created a space for you to practice and learn elements of adaptability and martial art training that is very fun and true in spirit. Also it is gorgeous, you can tell someone really took their time to make the best quality work of art! 👍🏽💪🏽👊🏽

Beautiful, simple, strategic. This game has everything: the design and art are gorgeous, the components are beautiful and well-made, the gameplay is simple but opens itself to…
Beautiful, simple, strategic. This game has everything: the design and art are gorgeous, the components are beautiful and well-made, the gameplay is simple but opens itself to great strategy, and it scales up in complexity depending on players’ desires. It’s also perfectly built around its themes of Kung Fu and Confucianism, playing into the philosophies without requiring the player to know or understand them. And on top of that, it’s a ton of fun to play.

Great Strategy Game. Great design, great component quality make this a fun one to unbox. Three levels of play help you ramp up into the complexity of the Emperor level. Unique…
Great Strategy Game. Great design, great component quality make this a fun one to unbox. Three levels of play help you ramp up into the complexity of the Emperor level. Unique gameplay makes it hard to put in a ‘worker placement/deck-building/card pass’ box, but I think that’s a strength, not a weakness.

A must buy for game lovers that are into quality. Awesome game. So worth the money. The pieces and art are beautiful and high quality. Game play can play 3 different levels which…
A must buy for game lovers that are into quality. Awesome game. So worth the money. The pieces and art are beautiful and high quality. Game play can play 3 different levels which is worth the value and the time. The customer service is awesome. I had a piece missing and they sent it for me free instantly no question asked. Highly highly highly (x5) recommend this game.

Beautifully made, Elegantly Designed. Wu Wei is a gorgeous strategy game. Easy to learn, with a ton of depth and strategy behind it, it is great for both beginners and hardcore…
Beautifully made, Elegantly Designed. Wu Wei is a gorgeous strategy game. Easy to learn, with a ton of depth and strategy behind it, it is great for both beginners and hardcore tabletop gamers. The construction of the board and inlay pieces is top-notch, and the art and graphic design is perfectly on-theme and elegant. It is a big, beautiful game, and if you love strategy games, you will love Wu Wei.

I loved playing this game! The design is beautiful and overall it has an engaging theme. I felt I could follow the instructions and learn how to play quickly, but also look…
I loved playing this game! The design is beautiful and overall it has an engaging theme. I felt I could follow the instructions and learn how to play quickly, but also look forward to playing it more times and develop my understanding of strategy and the intricacies of the game. I would definitely recommend!

This is a fantastic game! It’s visually stunning for a board game, the concepts are well thought-out, and it’s simply fun to play. In my household we’re a bit obsessed with it to…
This is a fantastic game! It’s visually stunning for a board game, the concepts are well thought-out, and it’s simply fun to play. In my household we’re a bit obsessed with it to be honest – family gatherings, get-togethers with friends, rainy days, game nights – it’s typically the first board game we reach for. Wu Wei has even become an essential aspect of how we celebrate holidays in my family – everyone wants to be this year’s winner. Admittedly, we’ve become a bit of board game enthusiasts after playing Wu Wei, but the game remains enjoyable even for the casual board gamer. I highly recommend this game.

So much fun. Great cohesion between themes and mechanics. On its surface this is a game about resource gathering and board control. But where this game differs is in the…
So much fun. Great cohesion between themes and mechanics. On its surface this is a game about resource gathering and board control. But where this game differs is in the constantly shifting conditions by which those resources and spaces on the board change. One moment you can be sitting on a pile of tokens that give you a huge advantage and you’re standing in a corner of the board that gives you a great position… And then something might happen that will totally upend the control that you thought you had. A fun, easy to get into surprise for your game nights.

Abstract themed PU&D racing game —more complex than Palmyra (2013), less narrative than Wasteland Express (2017)— kinda like playing Pac-Man while running MP interference. Mundane…
Abstract themed PU&D racing game —more complex than Palmyra (2013), less narrative than Wasteland Express (2017)— kinda like playing Pac-Man while running MP interference. Mundane with less players, chaotic and +AP/DT with more. Obscure import with rare theme and fancy production make it an ideal photo op prop, but the alluring mystique of syncretic numerology in the number 4 loses it’s meaning compared to Element (2017).

A heavy weight abstract game that plays best with 3 or more players. I doubt I’d be able to get it on the table very often, based on this description. — But, wow! It looks…
A heavy weight abstract game that plays best with 3 or more players. I doubt I’d be able to get it on the table very often, based on this description. — But, wow! It looks gorgeous — such unique components — and the theme and its elegance appeal very much to me. For $39 that’d be a bargain, unfortunately it’s another $30 for intl. shipping. Well, *thinking about it*

Really enjoyed playing the prototype. It’s a great game.

Gorgeous production but game play is not super captivating. Fun for an abstract game though.

Fantastic game, can’t wait to receive my copy! (Preordered)

Not difficult per se, it just takes some time to understand. How the actions work and how best to achieve your particular goal. Didn’t particularly engage our Euro-playing group,…
Not difficult per se, it just takes some time to understand. How the actions work and how best to achieve your particular goal. Didn’t particularly engage our Euro-playing group, but could see that some might quite like the immersive experience afforded by the design.

I was a playtester for the nearly-finished version. It’s a great game, strategically complex, that scales wonderfully for different skill levels.

I like the feel of this game. Great game.

Love this game!

After one 2p introductory play, I was not impressed by the gameplay. I loved the component and quality of the game. I have to try with multiplayer and all the rules.

Really looking forward to receiving my copy of this game! I played it during the holidays and it was so much fun.

Is this game any good? At two players, I’m going to say no… I really think this game will shine with more people… The more people you put in there the more interesting it gets.

In terms of gameplay and all that, as you can see, it has three game modes that have a basic mode, and intermediate mode and an advanced mode. From basic to intermediate, they…
In terms of gameplay and all that, as you can see, it has three game modes that have a basic mode, and intermediate mode and an advanced mode. From basic to intermediate, they differ in two things that it is true that the game is more restrictive at intermediate level, but for me I think it’s the best. I like it even more than the emperor mode.

Absolutely awesome! Cannot wait to play this, this looks an absolute gem of an abstract game. So colorful, so bright! I know at the games club if I get this bad boy out people are…
Absolutely awesome! Cannot wait to play this, this looks an absolute gem of an abstract game. So colorful, so bright! I know at the games club if I get this bad boy out people are going to want to have a look at it, aren’t they? They’re going to want to play. It looks fantastic, you can’t beat a good abstract and this looks to be a cracker! Absolutely amazing quality, I just cannot believe the contents of this game!

The game is abstract, but unlike many abstract games the theme just oozes through and the components… really really nice quality! Make sure you look under the insert for your chi markers!

Wu Wei is difficult to describe. It’s a race game of sorts combined with some minor “take that” and player turn variability. — The game play is slightly different for each mode.…
Wu Wei is difficult to describe. It’s a race game of sorts combined with some minor “take that” and player turn variability. — The game play is slightly different for each mode. The basis of the game is simple. — It’s a bit more challenging than it sounds.

Just a great game, great components. Awesome 🔥 — Wu Wei not only looks great, the quality is also very good. The rules are very clear and it’s nice that you ahve 3 levels to…
Just a great game, great components. Awesome 🔥 — Wu Wei not only looks great, the quality is also very good. The rules are very clear and it’s nice that you ahve 3 levels to play, so you can make it easier or harder yourself. WE do think the game improves with 3+ players because it adds more tactics and interaction.

It’s an extremely tactical game as the board state changes every turn but that may also be why the game may not be for everyone. Additionally, it has a number of complexities so a…
It’s an extremely tactical game as the board state changes every turn but that may also be why the game may not be for everyone. Additionally, it has a number of complexities so a few games are needed to understand how the various rules interact with one another. — At the end of the day, if you enjoy complex abstract games, we don’t think these issues would deter you and we would suggest that you check this game out :)

Wuwei is a beautiful game.

Very fun game.

It’s a fun family strategy game where martial arts students travel through towns and palaces to receive training from Kung Fu masters and collect the five different animal cards…
It’s a fun family strategy game where martial arts students travel through towns and palaces to receive training from Kung Fu masters and collect the five different animal cards and cultivate your chi. — It’s a unique theme and the rule book includes lovely quotes from Taoist philosophy and martial arts teachers.

Very cool and the craftsmanship is excellent. Great job Justin Waggle!

You’ve seen dual-layer player mats, but how about a dual-layer game board? Wu Wei from @graywolfgames keeps everything in place for the players’ journeys.

I like how the board has no text. Simple colors, easy to pick up quickly.

I like the season change. It was a good way to trap people or plan next moves.

Really really dug it. I definitely plan on backing it.

The multiple stages of difficulty added fun on a learning curve.

Enjoyed the addition of the general and emperor roles for harder difficulty.

Simple visual representation that allows for complex actions as a group.

Art work + wooden tokens were great.

I really enjoyed the game and found it to be very fun and a great challenge

Very cool constantly shifting board mechanic. I greatly enjoyed this.

The game itself went quickly and was easy to understand.

I like the game play because it involves lots of thinking. My head hurts. :)

Very intense strategy game. Fun, cutthroat.

Great Strategy! Looking forward to Kickstarter.

Enjoyed game play, very strategic and balanced in terms of keeping people on the same level.

Addicting! There is a slight learning curve with this game, as with most in depth and awesome games, but once I got the hang of it, I didn’t want to stop playing! This is a…
Addicting! There is a slight learning curve with this game, as with most in depth and awesome games, but once I got the hang of it, I didn’t want to stop playing! This is a perfect game night addition to any board game fan’s collection! Highly recommended! I can’t wait to play again!

Ever since I’ve known Justin he’s been passionate about Wu Wei. He’s poured his heart and soul into it, and the game reflects that. This game has spirit.

So much fun. Great cohesion between themes and mechanics. On its surface, this is a game about resource gathering and board control. But where this game differs is in the…
So much fun. Great cohesion between themes and mechanics. On its surface, this is a game about resource gathering and board control. But where this game differs is in the constantly shifting conditions by which those resources and spaces on the board change. One moment you can be sitting on a pile of tokens that give you a huge advantage and you’re standing in a corner of the board that gives you a great position… And then something might happen that will totally upend the control that you thought you had. That’s what makes it so different and special.
It’s not a game for people who have strict strategies that they follow like a playbook… It rewards players who are able to keep to their core philosophies of how to manage situations. This interplay is what makes the Taoist philosophy behind the martial arts theme into more than just fun window dressing. It totally informs the function and flow of the gameplay.
Individual games don’t take very long, and there are multiple levels of difficulty with different rule sets for each. A fun, easy-to-get-into surprise for your game nights.
Learn the First Edition
Watch the rules explained, read the rulebook or practice in the interactive tutorial.
Wu Wei: Journey of the Changing Path - Rules Explained - Initiate Level
Watch on YouTubeRulebook
Read and search the illustrated First Edition rules in the app.
Open the rulebookInteractive tutorial
Practice First Edition movement and training through guided lessons in the app.
Begin the tutorialThe 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.

A closer look
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.

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

