Piston

(Self-Published) · Board game · 2026
6.3 Ludopedia BGG 2–4 30–120 min
Buy
6.3 rating Ludopedia
rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy card-based building games with strategy, Piston is a solid choice.

Highlights
  • Engaging mechanics
  • Multi-use cards
  • Deep strategy
Keep in mind
  • Game time can vary
  • Initial complexity
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

In Piston, you step into the shoes of one of the world's greatest engineers, competing to build the most impressive machines during a global competition. The game takes place over three days, each divided into four turns: Morning, Midday, Afternoon, and Evening. On each turn, you perform a main action, such as building a machine, activating a powerful tool, or drawing more cards. Machines are built using multi-use Prototype cards, where you discard other cards to generate the necessary resources. There are five types of machines, each with different activation conditions. At the end of the game, the winner is the player with the most Appeal Points, both from the machines built and the tokens generated during the game.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 OK
3 OK
4 OK

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

Finding best prices...

Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Category: Print-on-Demand
Publisher (Self-Published)
Designer Brendan Head, Oscar Katz

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How many players can play Piston?
Piston can be played by 2 to 4 players.
How long does a game of Piston last?
A game of Piston lasts between 30 and 120 minutes.
Is Piston suitable for beginners?
Piston has a moderate learning curve, so it might be challenging for beginners.
What are the main components of the game?
The main components are Prototype cards, machines, and Appeal tokens.
Who is Piston recommended for?
Piston is recommended for fans of strategy and card-based building games.

Other Games You'll Like

Based on mechanics and theme

8 games