# Aeon's End ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2016 - **BGG Rating**: 7.9 - **BGG Rank**: #108 - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 60 min - **Weight**: 2.80 / 5 - **Designers**: Jenny Iglesias, Kevin Riley, Nick Little (I) - **Artists**: Gong Studios - **Publishers**: Action Phase Games, Indie Boards & Cards, Angry Lion Games, Arclight Games, Frosted Games, Geekach LLC - **Categories**: Card Game, Fantasy, Fighting, Science Fiction - **Mechanics**: Chit-Pull System, Cooperative Game, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Delayed Purchase, Hand Management, Open Drafting ## Verdict If you're seeking a fresh take on cooperative deck-building with a rich narrative, Aeon's End will captivate you with its innovative mechanics and intense boss battles. It truly shines by subverting common deck-building tropes for a more strategic experience. Innovative deck management and no shuffling Variable turn order creates dynamic battles Engaging cooperative boss-battling experience Deep strategic choices for Breach Mages Steep learning curve for new players Theme might not appeal to everyone HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Gear up for an epic battle in Aeon's End, a cooperative deck-building game where you and your friends are humanity's last line of defense. The story takes us to Gravehold, an underground city serving as a refuge for the survivors of a relentless invasion. But hope emerges from the most unexpected place: the malignant energy used by the invaders can be channeled through special gems, transforming it into powerful spells and weapons for the Breach Mages, the heroes you and your companions will control. The game stands out in the deckbuilding genre for its innovations. Forget predictable turn order; here, a variable system simulates the chaos of battle, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. And don't think discarding cards is a consequence-free act: the deck management rules demand meticulous strategic planning with every play, ensuring you're always thinking ahead. Your mission is clear: defend Gravehold from the hordes of the Nameless, utilizing your mages' unique abilities, devastating spells, and, above all, your group's collective wit. Every decision counts in this desperate confrontation for humanity's survival. Can you repel the threat and save what remains of the world? ## How to Play Game Objective Aeon's End is a cooperative deck building game where your deck is never shuffled. You and your fellow breach mages must work together to defeat the nemesis before your home, Gravehold, is overrun or the players are exhausted. Each of the four included nemeses is unique in their actions and requires a different strategy to defeat. Setup Player Setup Each player chooses a player mat and a player number token. Build your starting hand and starting deck as shown on your player mat. Place the leftmost cards at the top of the starting deck. Each player receives one of each type of breach (I–IV) as listed on their mat and organizes them accordingly. Set each player's life to 10. Nemesis and World Setup Choose a nemesis and place its nemesis mat near the players. Set the nemesis life dial to the value shown on the mat. Nemesis Deck Construction: Separate the nine nemesis specific cards into three piles of three based on their tier (1, 2, or 3). Add basic nemesis cards to each pile based on player count (refer to the manual's chart for the exact number of Tier 1, 2, and 3 cards). Shuffle each tier pile separately. Stack them: tier 3 cards on the bottom, tier 2 on top of those, and tier 1 on top. Do not shuffle the combined nemesis deck. Set the Gravehold life dial to 30. Follow any additional Setup instructions on the back of the nemesis mat (e.g., creating a strike deck or adding Fury tokens). Turn Order and Supply Turn Order Deck: Create a deck using turn order cards. For 2 players, use two cards for each player and two nemesis cards. For 3 players, use one for each player, one wildcard, and two nemesis cards. For 4 players, use one for each player and two nemesis cards. Shuffle the deck. Supply: Create nine supply piles (3 gems, 2 relics, and 4 spells). Place each card of the same name in its own separate pile. Game Flow The game advances through a variable turn order determined by the turn order deck. After each turn, a card is drawn to determine who goes next. If the turn order deck is empty, shuffle the turn order discard pile to replenish it. Player Turn A player's turn consists of three phases in this specific order: Casting Phase: The player may Cast prepped spells in opened breaches. Any spells prepped in closed breaches must be Cast now. Main Phase: The player may perform various actions (detailed in the next section) in any order and as many times as they wish. Draw Phase: All gems and relics played this turn are placed on top of the discard pile in any order. The player draws from their deck until they have five cards in hand. Nemesis Turn Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção. Actions and How to Play Player Actions (Main Phase) During the Main Phase, you may resolve these actions in any order: Play a gem or relic card: Resolve the card's effect immediately. If the card has an "OR," choose one option. Gems provide aether, the game's currency. Gain a card: Spend aether equal to the card's cost to take a card from the supply and place it immediately on top of your discard pile. Gain a charge: Pay 2 aether to place a charge token on your player mat. These are used to activate unique abilities. Focus a breach: Pay the focus cost to rotate a closed breach 90° clockwise. This allows you to prep a spell to that breach this turn. Open a breach: Pay the open cost to flip a closed breach to its opened side. Once opened, it remains open for the rest of the game. Prep a spell to a breach: Place a spell card from your hand onto a breach. Resolve a “While prepped” effect: Resolve effects of spells currently prepped. Resolve a “TO DISCARD:” effect: Resolve the specific effect listed on a power card to discard it. Card Types Gems: Provide aether used for gaining cards, charges, and manipulating breaches. Spells: The primary way to deal damage. They must be prepped to a breach before they can be Cast. Relics: Provide various instantaneous effects. End of Game and Scoring Victory Condition: The players immediately win if the nemesis's life reaches zero. Defeat Conditions: The players lose if Gravehold is overrun or if the players are exhausted. (Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre a condição de "exhausted"). Tips for Winning Manage your Breaches: Use the Casting Phase strategically; remember that spells in closed breaches must be cast immediately, while those in opened breaches can be saved for later. Efficient Deck Building: Use gems to gain aether to acquire more powerful spells and relics from the supply to enhance your deck's capabilities. Coordinate Abilities: Use aether to gain charges to activate your breach mage's unique ability at the optimal moment. ## FAQ ### How many players can play Aeon's End? Aeon's End can be played by 1 to 4 players. It's a great option for both solo players and groups looking for a cooperative experience. ### What is the average playtime for a game of Aeon's End? A game of Aeon's End typically takes between 60 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of players and the group's familiarity with the rules and strategies of the game. ### What is the complexity level of Aeon's End? The game is considered medium-weight (2.8006/5 on BGG). It offers strategic depth and requires planning, but its rules are accessible for players with some board game experience. ### Is Aeon's End a good game for newcomers to the hobby? While not the simplest game for absolute beginners, players with some experience or those willing to learn more advanced mechanics will find a very rewarding experience. The cooperative nature helps with learning. ### What are the main game mechanics in Aeon's End? Core mechanics include deck, bag, and pool building, hand management, a variable turn order system, and a chit-pull system. The game also features delayed purchase and open drafting. ### What are the main distinguishing features of Aeon's End compared to other deckbuilders? The big differentiator is that you don't shuffle your discard pile. Cards return to the top of your deck in the order they were discarded, requiring careful and strategic planning to optimize your future plays. Additionally, the variable turn order adds a layer of unpredictability and tension. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 52.67 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=1656109&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/18913/aeons-end?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com