Dominant Species: The Card Game

GMT Games · Board game · 2012
7.1 Ludopedia 5.9 BGG 2–6 · best 4 60 min Weight 1.9/5
Buy · from US$ 18.49
7.1 rating Ludopedia
5.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

Loved the idea of Dominant Species but find the original too heavy? This one's for you! It's a lighter, faster version, great for those who enjoy evolution and strategy without spending all day at the table.

Highlights
  • Fast-paced evolution strategy
  • Engaging hand management
  • Strong, immersive theme
  • More accessible than original
Keep in mind
  • Less tactical depth
  • Card luck can be a factor
  • Language dependent
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Prepare for an icy journey back to 15,000 B.C. in Dominant Species: The Card Game! Forget the complex board of the original; here, the global supremacy struggle between animal species unfolds in a faster, more streamlined format. The ice is melting, the world is changing, and it's up to you to guide your species – be it mammal, reptile, bird, amphibian, arachnid, or insect – to dominate diverse biomes and ensure survival. Each round presents a new challenge on one of the twelve available biome cards, where you'll use action cards to play animals or events. Animals not only help control elemental resources and accumulate victory points but can also suppress rivals, pushing them from Healthy to Endangered, or perhaps, to Extinction! Event cards bring powerful game-changing effects. The competition is fierce, with hand management strategies being crucial for optimizing your plays. The game concludes after ten rounds, and the player with the most victory points, celebrating the law of the jungle, is crowned the ultimate winner. It's evolution in card form, fast and intense!

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Mechanics

Categories

Families

Game: Dominant Species Theme: Biology Theme: Evolution Theme: Science Versions & Editions: Card Versions of Non-Card Games
Publisher GMT Games
Designer Chad Jensen
Artist Chad Jensen, Chechu Nieto, Eric Williams (I), Rodger B. MacGowan

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,060owners
204wishlist
23want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What's the main difference between Dominant Species: The Card Game and the original Dominant Species?
The card game is a lighter and faster version, focusing on hand management and shorter rounds, while the original is a more complex and longer board game with area control.
How many people can play?
It plays well with 2 to 6 players.
Is this game difficult to learn?
The rules are relatively simple, and the text on the cards is minimal, making it more accessible than the original board game.
How long does a game take?
A game typically lasts around 60 minutes, making it significantly quicker than the board game.
Who do you recommend this game for?
We recommend it for those who enjoy card games with an evolution and survival theme, and for fans of the original Dominant Species looking for a quicker experience.
Do I need to know the original Dominant Species to play this?
No! Dominant Species: The Card Game can be played and enjoyed independently, although fans of the original might recognize the theme and some concepts.

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