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Ask anything about Mindbug: First Contact: rules, setup, components, complexity, price, or whether it fits your group.
Perfect for those who love fast, psychological duels; the stealing mechanic is genius.
- Fast and dynamic matches
- Innovative stealing mechanic
- Perfect balance between players
- Simple and direct rules
- Strictly for two players
- Heavy reliance on opponent reading
About the game
What you do in a play session
The game strips away the tedious 'mana curves' or resource gathering found in most TCGs. There is no ramp-up phase and no need for 'filler' weak cards. You jump straight into the action, making matches fast and intense. The strategy isn't about having the best cards (since both players use the same deck), but rather about timing. Playing your strongest creature too early is an invitation for it to be stolen; waiting too long might mean you won't have enough time to secure the win.
It's a game of bluffing, reading your opponent, and hand management. You're constantly calculating risks: 'Does he still have a Mindbug in hand? Is it worth risking this Compost Dragon now?'. This dynamic creates an extremely fair and competitive experience where victory depends purely on your tactical skill rather than the luck of the draw. It's the perfect blend of simple rules and surprising psychological depth, ideal for those looking for quick matches that leave you craving a rematch!
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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Mindbug - How to Play Video
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Mindbug - Tutorial & Playthrough with the designer!
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Mindbug - How To Play (Using Mindbug: Battlefruit Kingdom)
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How to Play: Mindbug (Play It Yourself)
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Mindbug - Battlefruit Kingdom - Playthrough
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MindBug - How to Play in 5 minutes - BoardgameNinja
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Mindbug Beyond Evolution??- Richard Garfield's card battle game
Rules manual
Official PDF file
Best player count
BGG community vote
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Where to Buy
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Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
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