HOW TO PLAY

Each game of Shards of the Aegis should take between 10 and 20 minutes. The deck contains 42 cards; the number of cards dealt out to players is determined by the total number of players (see Game Setup in Rules).

GAME SETUP

2 player game – 7 cards per person
3 player game – 6 cards per person
4 player game – 5 cards per person

DEALING

The 6 Shards and 2 Aegis Shields are shuffled into the deck after the correct amount of cards are dealt. The rest of the cards are placed in a Draw Pile face down. Designate a space next to the Draw Pile for the Discard Pile. The player with the next birthday will start the game.

EACH PLAYER TURN

A player will always draw one card to start their turn and can only play one card per turn.

RULES

If you don’t want to play a card, your turn is skipped and the next player goes.
If a shard is drawn on your turn, you place it on top of the discard pile. Multiple cards have the ability to obtain a shard, so once you collect it, place the shard in front of you so other players can see.
If you cannot obtain the shard, you are still able to play one card on your turn. The next player also has a chance to obtain the shard if you missed your opportunity. Once a player uses a card on top of the shard, it is unattainable and sits in the discard pile.
If you draw a shard with no cards in hand or after already collecting two, your turn is skipped.
Cards that mention a player choosing cards must point at the cards.

WINNING
THE GAME

The player who collects two shards and can play the Aegis Shield in their hand first wins the game.

You can play the Aegis Shield in your hand to win if you just obtained your second shard.
If you draw the Aegis Shield on your turn and have two shards already, you can play it to win.

RULES FAQ

What is an example turn of acquiring a Shard? A player draws a Shard on their turn and they place it in the discard pile. You have Hermes in your hand and can use him to obtain the Shard. (Place Hermes in the discard pile and take the Shard and place it in front of you.)

What is an example turn of being unable to acquire a Shard? A player draws a Shard on their turn and they place it in the discard pile. The player has no cards in their hand that can obtain it, so they use another card and place it on top of the Shard. (That Shard is now unobtainable).

What does "the next player also has a chance to obtain the shard if you missed your opportunity" mean? Example Turns: Player 1 draws a Shard and it's placed in the discard pile. Player 1 has no cards in their hand that can obtain one, nor do they have any cards that can be played. ( Cards in their hand could have effects that can't be used based on what they do). Player 1 skips their turn because of this. The Shard is now still sitting on top of the discard pile. Player 2 goes - They have a card that can obtain a shard like Nike, they can now take the Shard that Player 1 missed getting. (Since Player 2 was able to do this they weren't able to draw to start their turn - that action is null in this case.)

What does "uses a card on top of the discard pile" mean? When someone plays a card on top of a Shard in the discard pile, it is no longer obtainable.