How to Play Mind Invaders

Objective of the Game

In Mind Invaders, players take on the roles of mind-invading aliens competing for control over world leaders and recovering technological artifacts. The goal is to be the first to collect a certain number of artifacts to win. However, one player is secretly a Human infiltrator who may achieve their own victory first!

Preparation (Setup)

1. Each player receives four Power cards (values 1 to 4) in their chosen color.
2. Shuffle and deal one Character card to each player (keep it secret). For 2–4 players, exclude 1 Alien card before dealing.
3. Shuffle the Leader, Agent, and Resource cards together to form the draw deck. Reveal cards from the top to form two rows (the "floors" of the Grand Hotel), each with a number of cards equal to the number of players + 1.
4. Set up individual and general discard piles.
5. Assign Initiative cards (green side up) in ascending order clockwise, starting with the first player.

Game Flow

Players compete in contests over cards on the lower floor of the hotel until a game-end trigger occurs. Each contest consists of four phases:

1. Block: The player with Initiative 1 blocks one card on the lower floor (flips it face down or marks it with a token).
2. Hidden Powers: Players play Power or Resource cards face down (first play must include at least one Power card).
3. Reveal Powers: Players reveal cards, resolve effects (e.g., unblocking/blocking cards, using Resource bonuses), and keep Resources visible for later.
4. Hold or Intensify Power: Players choose to stop (Hold, flip Initiative to red) or continue (Intensify, repeat Phases II–IV).

When all players Hold, proceed to Collection and Cleanup.

Actions and How to Play

Key Rules:

• Resource cards can only be played alongside a Power card or if a Power is already active.
• Power cards return to your hand only after ALL players have used ALL of theirs.
• During Collection, the highest total Power picks first (tiebreaker: Initiative order). Collected cards go to hand ( ) or table ( ).

Special Actions:

• Investigation: Discard four cards with to force a player to reveal their Character card. If they’re Human, you win immediately.
• Resource effects (e.g., destroying Power cards, swapping floors) must be resolved if possible.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends instantly if a player meets their Character card’s victory condition:

• Alien Victory: 4 cards with or .
• Human Victory: 4 cards with or .
• Elimination: A player collects 3 cards with / (Aliens) or 3 (Humans). If victory and elimination happen simultaneously, the player is eliminated.

Eliminated players’ Power cards are removed, and the hotel floors adjust to the new player count.

Tips to Win

• Manage Power cards carefully—they’re limited and only refresh when all players run out.
• Use Resource cards strategically to disrupt opponents or secure key cards during Collection.
• Watch for Investigation opportunities if you suspect the Human infiltrator.