Mage: The Ascension is a tabletop role-playing game in the World of Darkness series, where players take the roles of mages. It was originally released by White Wolf Publishing in 1993, and released in new editions in 1995 (second edition), 2000 (Revised Edition), and 2015 (20th Anniversary Edition), which update the game rules. These have been supported with supplementary game books, expanding the game mechanics and setting.
The books from the game's original run in 1993–2004 were published by White Wolf Publishing, sometimes under their imprint Black Dog Game Factory for books considered more adult. Onyx Path Publishing, a company formed by ex–White Wolf Publishing staff, released five further supplements for the Revised Edition in 2012–2013, and are the publisher of the 20th Anniversary Edition books.
The supplements include the Tradition Book and Technocracy series, both covering groups of mages; guides to the game; and various other books. Adventure modules have been released, but only rarely, as White Wolf Publishing has preferred to let storytellers construct their own adventures, an uncommon choice in tabletop role-playing games that they could afford due to the World of Darkness series' success and longevity. Mage: The Ascension was one of their three highest selling game lines, along with Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse, and also performed well commercially for Onyx Path Publishing.
Books
First edition (1993–1995)
| Title | Original release | ISBN | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mage: The Ascension | August 19, 1993 | 1-56504-065-1 | White Wolf Publishing | Core rulebook for the game's first edition |
| The Angel of Mercy | 1993 | 1-56504-081-3 | White Wolf Publishing | Adventure module featuring a neo-Nazi antagonist. Bundled with storyteller screen. |
| The Book of Chantries | January 1994 | 1-56504-084-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for mages' home bases and headquarters |
| Loom of Fate | February 1994 | 1-56504-082-1 | Adventure module set in San Francisco. Follow-up to story in the first edition's rulebook. | |
| Digital Web | February–April 1994 | 1-56504-106-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Web, a digital realm accessed by mages |
| Technocracy: Progenitors | March 1994 | 1-56504-111-9 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention the Progenitors |
| The Book of Shadows | May 1994 | 1-56504-119-4 | White Wolf Publishing | Guide to the game for players |
| Tradition Book: Virtual Adepts | May 1994 | 1-56504-114-3 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Virtual Adepts |
| Technocracy: Iteration X | August–October 1994 | 1-56504-135-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention Iteration X |
| Tradition Book: Verbena | October 1994 | 1-56504-128-3 | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Verbena | |
| Tradition Book: Sons of Ether | October–December 1994 | 1-56504-138-0 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Sons of Ether |
| The Book of Madness | December 1994 | 1-56504-137-2 | Sourcebook for alien forces including the Nephandi, the Marauders, and the Umbrood | |
| Ascension's Right Hand | April 1995 | 1-56504-430-4 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for partnerships between mages and normal humans |
| Technocracy: N.W.O. | 1-56504-423-1 | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention the New World Order | ||
| Halls of the Arcanum | June 1995 | 1-56504-431-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the secret society Arcanum |
| Tradition Book: Akashic Brotherhood | June–August 1995 | 1-56504-410-X | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Akashic Brotherhood |
Second edition (1995–1999)
| Title | Original release | ISBN | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mage: The Ascension | December 1995 | 1-56504-400-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Core rulebook for the game's second edition |
| Destiny's Price | December 1995 | 1-56504-450-9 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for outcasts. Published under the Black Dog Game Factory imprint. |
| Technocracy: Void Engineers | March 1996 | 1-56504-424-X | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention the Void Engineers |
| Tradition Book: Celestial Chorus | July 1996 | 1-56504-411-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Celestial Chorus |
| Tradition Book: Cult of Ecstasy | 1-56504-412-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Cult of Ecstasy | |
| Horizon: Stronghold of Hope | Mid–July 1996 | 1-56504-425-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for Horizon, the tradition mages' capital |
| The Book of Crafts | September–October 1996 | 1-56504-435-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for independent groups of mages |
| Beyond the Barriers: The Book of Worlds | Q4 1996 | 1-56504-434-7 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for otherworldly realms |
| Hidden Lore | 1996 | 1-56504-402-9 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for Seattle, covering characters and magic spells. Bundled with storyteller screen. |
| Tradition Book: Dreamspeakers | January–February 1997 | 1-56504-413-4 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Dreamspeakers |
| The Book of Mirrors | May–June 1997 | 1-56504-403-7 | White Wolf Publishing | Guide for storytellers |
| Tradition Book: Euthanatos | June 15, 1997 | 1-56504-414-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Euthanatos |
| Tradition Book: Order of Hermes | July 1997 | 1-56504-416-9 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Order of Hermes |
| Technocracy: Syndicate | September 1997 | 1-56504-421-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention the Syndicate |
| The Technomancer's Toybox | December 1997 | 1-56504-420-7 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for technomagical devices |
| Digital Web 2.0 | October 1998 | 1-56504-426-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Web, a digital realm accessed by mages. Second edition of Digital Web. |
| The Orphans Survival Guide | October 1998 | 1-56504-436-3 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for outcasts. Follow-up to Destiny's Price. |
| The Spirit Ways | August–October 1999 | 1-56504-453-3 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for shamanism |
| Guide to the Technocracy | 1999 | 1-56504-417-7 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy and guide to using them in campaigns |
| Initiates of the Art | 1999 | 1-56504-437-1 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for new mages with weak magical abilities |
| Masters of the Art | 1999 | 1-56504-427-4 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for archmages with great magical abilities. Follow-up to Initiates of the Art. |
| Tales of Magick: Dark Adventure | 1999 | 1-56504-404-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Guide for storytellers on creating campaigns based on adventure and action |
Revised Edition (2000–2004 and 2012–2013)
| Title | Original release | ISBN | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mage: The Ascension Revised Edition | March 2000 | 1-56504-405-3 | White Wolf Publishing | Core rulebook for the game's Revised Edition |
| Storytellers Companion | 1-56504-406-1 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the history of the Ascension War, secret societies, spirits, and magical items. Bundled with storyteller screen. | |
| The Bitter Road | 1-56504-407-X | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the aftermath of the Ascension War | |
| Dead Magic | June 26, 2000 | 1-56504-408-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for magic of ancient cultures. Published under the Black Dog Game Factory imprint. |
| Blood Treachery | July 24, 2000 | 1-56504-409-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the feud between the Order of Hermes and the vampire clan Tremere. Crossover with Vampire: The Masquerade. |
| Dragons of the East | September 2000 | 1-56504-428-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for mages in East Asia |
| Sorcerer Revised Edition | October 2000 | 1-56504-439-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for sorcerers. Second edition of World of Darkness: Sorcerer, which was released for the World of Darkness series in general. |
| Tradition Book: Akashic Brotherhood | January–April 2001 | 1-56504-456-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Akashic Brotherhood. Second edition. |
| Lost Paths: Ahl-i-Batin and Taftâni | January–May 2001 | 1-56504-429-0 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for mages in the Middle East |
| Tradition Book: Celestial Chorus | June 2001 | 1-56504-457-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Celestial Chorus. Second edition. |
| The Book of Madness | October 2001 | 1-56504-442-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for alien forces including the Nephandi, the Marauders, and the Umbrood. Second edition. |
| Tradition Book: Cult of Ecstasy | November 2001 | 1-56504-449-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Cult of Ecstasy. Second edition. |
| Guide to the Traditions | 2001 | 1-56504-455-X | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage traditions as a whole, and their failings |
| Convention Book: Iteration X | February 2002 | 1-56504-441-X | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention Iteration X. Second edition of Technocracy: Iteration X. |
| Tradition Book: Dreamspeakers | March 2002 | 1-58846-400-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Dreamspeakers. Second edition. |
| Tradition Book: Euthanatos | April 2002 | 1-58846-401-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Euthanatos. Second edition. |
| Tradition Book: Hollow Ones | July 2002 | 1-58846-403-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Hollow Ones, a group of mages loosely associated with the traditions |
| Mage Storytellers Handbook | 2002 | 1-58846-402-4 | White Wolf Publishing | Guide for storytellers on leading games |
| Manifesto: Transmissions From the Rogue Council | 2002 | 1-58846-407-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the Rogue Council, a group of mages opposing the Technocracy |
| The Fallen Tower: Las Vegas | February 2003 | 1-58846-408-3 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for Las Vegas |
| Dead Magic II: Secrets and Survivors | March 2003 | 1-58846-406-7 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for ancient magic |
| The Infinite Tapestry | May 2003 | 1-58846-409-1 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for otherworldly realms. Follow-up to Beyond the Barriers: The Book of Worlds. |
| Tradition Book: Order of Hermes | July 2003 | 1-58846-413-X | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Order of Hermes. Second edition. |
| Forged by Dragon's Fire | August 2003 | 1-58846-410-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for magical items |
| Tradition Book: Sons of Ether | September 2003 | 1-58846-414-8 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Sons of Ether. Second edition. |
| The Red Sign | October 2003 | 1-58846-245-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for campaigns involving mages and vampires. Crossover with Vampire: The Masquerade. Part of the Time of Judgment series. |
| Tradition Book: Verbena | November 2003 | 1-58846-415-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Verbena. Second edition. |
| Tradition Book: Virtual Adepts | December 2003 | 1-58846-416-4 | White Wolf Publishing | Sourcebook for the mage tradition the Virtual Adepts. Second edition. |
| Ascension | March 2004 | 1-58846-417-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Collection of adventures about ascension. Part of the Time of Judgment series, and an ending to Mage: The Ascension. |
| Convention Book: N.W.O. | November 27, 2012 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention the New World Order. Second edition of Technocracy: N.W.O. |
| Convention Book: Progenitors | April 22, 2013 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention the Progenitors. Second edition of Technocracy: Progenitors. |
| Mage Translation Guide | May 27, 2013 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Guide for porting elements between Mage: The Ascension and Mage: The Awakening |
| Convention Book: Syndicate | July 31, 2013 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy convention the Syndicate. Second edition of Technocracy: Syndicate. |
| Convention Book: Void Engineers | October 18, 2013 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for the technocracy convention the Void Engineers. Second edition of Technocracy: Void Engineers. |
20th Anniversary Edition (2014–present)
| Title | Original release | ISBN | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition Quickstart | June 21, 2014 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Introduction to the game, with story hooks, brief rules, and pre-made characters. Released for free. |
| Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition | September 23, 2015 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Core rulebook for the game's 20th Anniversary Edition |
| How Do You Do That? | December 30, 2015 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Guide to the game's magic system, with example spells |
| The Book of Secrets | July 26, 2017 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Companion to the core rulebook |
| Gods & Monsters | April 10, 2019 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for supernatural beings and normal humans |
| The Book of the Fallen | January 15, 2020 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for the Nephandi |
| Le Prix à Payer | December 2020 | 978-2-37255-047-5 | Arkhane Asylum Publishing | Guide for storytellers on leading games, by the game's French publisher. Includes story hooks, characters, and adventures. Bundled with storyteller screen. Title translates to "The Price to Pay". |
| XV: Rouen Brûle-t-Elle ? | June 2021 | 978-2-37255-048-2 | Arkhane Asylum Publishing | Sourcebook for Rouen, by the game's French publisher. Title translates to "XV: Is Rouen Burning?" |
| Technocracy Reloaded | July 21, 2021 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for the Technocracy |
| The Rich Bastard's Guide to Magick | November 3, 2021 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for wealthy mages' use of magic |
| Welcome to the Rock: A Technocracy Reloaded Jumpstart | December 15, 2021 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Companion to Technocracy: Reloaded, containing brief rules, an adventure, and pre-made characters |
| The Operative's Dossier | June 15, 2022 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Companion to Technocracy: Reloaded |
| Sorcerer | August 3, 2022 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for sorcerers |
| Victorian Age | January 11, 2023 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for mages in the Victorian era, in 1880–1897. Also referred to as Victorian Mage. |
| Lore of the Traditions | September 20, 2023 | — | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for all the mage traditions |
| Faces of Magick | TBA | TBA | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook containing characters |
| Forgotten Ones & Forbidden Orders | TBA | TBA | Onyx Path Publishing | Sourcebook for organizations outside the mage traditions |
Compilations
| Title | Original release | ISBN | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mage Chronicles Volume 1 | December 1996 | 1-56504-415-0 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation of The Book of Chantries and Digital Web |
| Mage Chronicles Volume 2 | October–November 1997 | 1-56504-443-6 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation of Ascension's Right Hand and Halls of the Arcanum |
| Mage Chronicles Volume 3 | 1997 | 1-56504-125-9 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation of Loom of Fate and the World of Darkness crossover book The Chaos Factor |
| Technocracy Assembled 1 | February–April 1998 | 1-56504-418-5 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation the first editions of Technocracy: Iteration X, Technocracy: N.W.O., and Technocracy: Progenitors |
| The Traditions Gathered 1: Songs of Science | June–August 1998 | 1-56504-445-2 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation of the first editions of Tradition Book: Order of Hermes, Tradition Book: Sons of Ether, and Tradition Book: Virtual Adepts |
| The Traditions Gathered 2: Blood and Dreams | February 1999 | 1-56504-446-0 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation of the first editions of Tradition Book: Cult of Ecstasy, Tradition Book: Dreamspeakers, and Tradition Book: Verbena |
| The Traditions Gathered 3: Swords of Faith | 1999 | 1-56504-447-9 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation of the first editions of Tradition Book: Akashic Brotherhood, Tradition Book: Celestial Chorus, and Tradition Book: Euthanatos |
| Technocracy Assembled 2 | 2000 | 1-56504-419-3 | White Wolf Publishing | Compilation of the first editions of Technocracy: Syndicate and Technocracy: Void Engineers |