PAX Aus 2024 is rolling out its biggest tabletop area ever

PAX Aus 2024 is fast approaching and we’re more than ready for a tabletop extravaganza! To the surprise of many, the tabletop section is going to be even bigger this year – meaning even more space for fan favourites and even some new gems!

PAX Aus is very proud of its tabletop community and understandably so. Having built trust with players, PAX has to be one of the most popular conventions for it. Each year we’ve seen fan-favourite games and hot new releases join an already ripper line-up of offerings. Attendees can also get their fix of DnND, model painting and let’s not forget competing with others playing something from the boardgame library. As an avid PAX enjoyer, I’ve always valued the tabletop area as it’s a good chance to get off your feet and learn a new game.

Lorcana will be making its PAX debut with card sets that are now officially available in Australia! Attendees will have the chance to dive into the enchanting world of the new Disney trading card game, discovering magical secrets with familiar Disney characters and reimagined icons. “Our booth will be a hub for playing, learning, and celebrating with Disney fans and TCG players alike,” says Will Chan, Disney Lorcana Sales and Marketing Manager. We’ve already seen this TCG take players by storm so this is a great opportunity to learn how it all works!

The tabletop area will also feature celebrated icons like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons! DnD is having its 50th anniversary so expect plenty of exclusive merchandise and opportunities to learn and play with the experts. There’s also going to be a special theatre for TTRPG One-Shot adventures too! Owlbear Theatre will host short campaigns all weekend if you’re keen on that roleplay goodness.

Bandai is also set to impress with returning learn-to-play sessions, tournaments, and events for many of their active TCGs. Catch One Piece, Dragon Ball Super, and Digimon, alongside their newest addition, Sand Land. Even if you’re new to these TCGs, it’s never too late to learn!

Miniature enthusiasts also won’t want to miss the return of ‘Paint and Take’ by Let’s Play Games. A staple for each PAX I attend is stopping by the model table to paint a miniature. It’s a great way to unwind after the insanity of the PAX expo floor.

If you’re absolutely raring to go dive into the tabletop section already, we have some more details about some of the games VR Distribution has to offer. See the list below to learn more!

Star Wars: Unlimited

In this fast-paced, easy-to-learn trading card game (TCG), you and your opponent face off in exciting head-to-head battles featuring tons of iconic Star Wars characters. Whether you’re a Star Wars fan, a card game fan, or both, Star Wars: Unlimited is a game that anyone can enjoy. 

With the debut of its third series, Star Wars: Unlimited will be available to play! Fans can join in the fun and learn to play with some real-life TCG Jedi. Players can also get their mitts on an exclusive ‘Grogu’ card if they stop by the booth. That art looks incredible!

Altered

Play as a Hero, choose a faction and lead your expeditions into the unknown in this innovative TCG set in a modern and colorful fantasy universe.

After the biggest tabletop Kickstarter campaign ever, Altered will be available to play, along with some exclusive event promo cards.

Forest Shuffle

In Forest Shuffle, players compete to gather the most valuable trees, then attract species to these trees, thus creating an ecologically balanced habitat for flora and fauna.

Captain Flip

Ahoy, Captain! Hoist your flag, recruit a crew, and fill your coffers with shiny, gold coins. Captain Flip is a game of obvious simplicity explained in less time than a cannonball shot. On your turn, draw a tile from the bag. You like it? Keep it! You don’t like it? Flip it! Then place it on your board to form your crew.

King Of Tokyo Duel

A two-player tug-of-war dice game in the King of Tokyo line. Choose your uniquely-powered monster and roll new dice to draw the fame and destruction tokens toward you…or smash your rival with new special power cards to become the ultimate King of Tokyo!

Monkey Palace

A jungle-themed game of light strategy that incorporates both collaborative and competitive elements. Players must strategically work together to construct the Monkey Palace while competing for the highest brick income and points, all under the watchful gaze of the Monkey. The palace gradually takes form thanks to construction using LEGO elements, and each time the board game is played, the building experience and final construction are unique.

Let’s Hit Each Other with Fake Swords

The hook of the party game Let’s Hit Each Other with Fake Swords is that…you get to hit each other with fake swords. Why you’re doing that is to claim action cards. Collect three cards of a colour, and you have a set; collect three sets before anyone else, and you win.

CATAN

It’s the 21st Century, and Catan is at a crossroads. Long gone is the agrarian society of the island’s Viking ancestors. Today’s Catanians need energy to keep society moving and growing, but pollution is wreaking havoc on the island. CATAN: New Energies is a new standalone game rooted in classic CATAN mechanisms of harvesting, trading, and building. New gameplay elements including power plants, energy tokens, and environmental events add new strategies and stories to a familiar foundation.

For those eager to keep the CATAN fun going, the much loved Gencon “CATAN Experience Event” will be debuting at PAX Aus. Participants will need to collect dice from all around PAX Aus and trade them in for an event-exclusive CATAN die!

From new board game demos, TCG tutorials and exclusive collectibles, the tabletop area is set to deliver a memorable experience for all gaming enthusiasts. If you see me at the Magic: The Gathering tables, prepare to lose!

What tabletop games do you enjoy playing at PAX? Feel free to let us know via our socials!