Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you love fast‑paced card games with unique powers, Etherstone will hook you instantly.
Highlights
- Dynamic drafting
- Asymmetric powers
- Short playtime
- Engaging theme
Keep in mind
- Learning curve
- Pre‑made hand reliance
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Nobura, a forgotten planet shrouded in mystery, was awakened when a cosmic being sacrificed its divine essence. Etherstones, magical stones, shaped the planet's biomes and linked every living creature to the world itself. Yet from the depths emerges the Vacuous, a parasitic force threatening all surface life. In Etherstone, each player commands a faction leader with life points, strength and a permanent asymmetric ability. The first phase has you build your deck by drafting seven cards and a leader – or grab a pre‑made hand that matches the leader for a quicker start. On your turn you may take only one action: Dice Draft (to acquire cards), Summon, Attack, Rest, or Void Pact. Summoned cards help you earn victory points, overcome threats and trigger unique abilities. The game ends when the active player has no cards left in hand, the Threat deck runs out, or the victory‑point pool is empty. The winner is the player with the most points after navigating this blend of strategic choices, hand management and deck‑building. With closed and open drafting, deck/bag/pool building and variable player powers, Etherstone offers a tactical 30‑60 minute experience for 2‑4 players who love fast decisions and a fantasy‑sci‑fi vibe.
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
3
REC
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
ThunderGryph Games, Blackrock Games, CrowD Games, Ghenos Games
Designer
Simone Luciani, Virginio Gigli
Artist
Paolo Voto
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
2,951owners
1,707wishlist
191want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play?
2 to 4 players.
How long does a game take?
Typically 30–60 minutes, depending on player count and familiarity.
What is the complexity level?
Light to moderate (weight 2.4/5); easy to learn but offers strategic depth.
What components are included?
Leader cards, action cards, threat deck, dice, victory‑point tokens, and a life marker.
Who should buy this game?
Fans of card games, drafting mechanics and fantasy‑sci‑fi settings.
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