# Ritos Ancestrais

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2023
- **BGG Rating**: 10.0
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4
- **Duration**: 20-40 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Hugo Bustilho de Oliveira
- **Artists**: Hugo Bustilho de Oliveira
- **Publishers**: (Self-Published)
- **Categories**: Card Game
- **Mechanics**: Action Drafting, Hand Management

## Verdict
Perfect for Lovecraft fans looking for quick sessions with genuine strategic depth.Immersive cosmic horror themeFast and dynamic gameplaySimple rules, easy to teachInteresting card combosRelies somewhat on draw luckMinimal text but requires focusRECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready to lose your sanity (or gain immense power) in Elder Rites! In this fast-paced card game designed by Hugo Bustilho, you step into the shoes of an ambitious cultist seeking to dominate the darkest forces of the universe. The goal is straightforward but requires cunning: you must build the most powerful cult of all, summoning terrifying creatures, investigators, and the dreaded Great Old Ones to accumulate Invocation Points. The first player to reach 21 points triggers the end of the game, but that doesn't guarantee victory — the winner is whoever has the highest total score at the end.

The gameplay is agile and intuitive. Each turn follows a basic flow: first, you draw two cards from the main line to fuel your strategy; then, you decide whether to perform an Invocation, play a card to strengthen your Cult, or, if things are looking grim, pass your turn. The twist is that some cards you've already played can modify these steps, creating combos and unexpected reversals. To wrap up your turn, you must organize your hand to stay within the 7-card limit, making hand management a crucial strategic element.

The game successfully balances the Lovecraftian theme with competitive gameplay. You'll need to balance the rush to summon powerful monsters with the need to protect your cult from rivals' sabotage. It's the perfect entry point for those wanting to explore the cosmic horror universe without needing hundred-page rulebooks, offering quick sessions ranging from 20 to 40 minutes. Whether you're a seasoned board gamer or a newcomer, the race to see who masters the ancestral rites guarantees tension and excitement at the table.

## How to Play
Goal of the Game
In Ancestral Rites, you take on the role of a cultist in a Lovecraftian setting. Your goal is to build your Cult and perform Summoning Rituals to accumulate power. The first player to reach 21 Summoning Points triggers the end of the game. To win, you must be the player with the highest Summoning score in your Cult at the end of the match.

Setup
To begin the game, follow these steps:

    Give one Summoning Rituals card to each player.
    Each player must place a token next to the scoring card to track their Summoning Points.
    Give the Starting Player card to the person who most recently finished reading an H.P. Lovecraft story (or as decided by the group). This player keeps the card with them throughout the game.
    Shuffle the rest of the deck and deal 5 cards face down to each player (this is the starting hand). Players may look at their own cards.
    Flip 6 cards face up in the center of the table. The rest of the deck forms the draw pile.
    Discarded cards should be placed face down next to the draw line, forming the discard pile.


Gameplay Flow
The game is played in turns, following the order of whoever received the Starting Player card. After a player's turn ends, the turn passes to the player on their left. Each turn follows this structure:

    Draw: The player draws two cards from the draw line. Upon opening the first card, the next must already be flipped. If the draw pile runs out, shuffle the discard pile to create a new one.
    Action: The player must perform ONE of the three available actions (detailed in the actions section).
    End of Turn: The player must discard cards until they have a maximum of 7 cards in hand.


Actions and How to Play
During your turn, you may choose one of the following actions:

    Play a card to your Cult: Choose a card from your hand and place it in your play area (your Cult). It remains there for the rest of the game (unless an effect says otherwise) and you receive its CULT EFFECT while it is on the table. Attention: You can never have two cards with the same name in your Cult. Once played, you may ignore that card's SUMMONING SYMBOL for future rituals.
    Perform a Summoning Ritual: You use cards from your hand to represent the required SUMMONING SYMBOLS (such as Necronomicon, Elder Sign, Pnakotic Manuscripts, Miskatonic University, Yellow Sign, or Cthulhu) as indicated on your Summoning Rituals card. When performing the ritual, you discard all cards used and mark the corresponding score on the Scoring card. Important: When using cards for rituals, ignore their effects. Always check if you have cards in your Cult that can provide extra points, return cards, or save cards during rituals.
    Pass: The player simply ends their turn.


End of Game and Scoring
The end-game trigger occurs when the first player reaches 21 Summoning Points. When this happens, all other players (following turn order) play their final turn so that everyone has the same number of turns. After that, the End-game Bonuses from the Ancient Idol, Azathoth, and City of Innsmouth cards are applied.
Victory is decided as follows:

    The player with the highest Summoning score in their Cult wins.
    In the event of a tie in score, the player with the most cards in hand wins.
    If the tie persists, the players share the victory.


Tips for Winning
Consult the manual for details regarding this section.

## FAQ
### Is the game too complex?
Not at all! The rules are straightforward and the turn flow is simple, making it great for beginners.

### How long does a game take?
Games are quick, usually lasting between 20 and 40 minutes.

### How many players can play?
The game supports 2 to 4 players.

### Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, it's recommended for players aged 12 and up, making it a great family option.

### Do I need to know Lovecraft's work to play?
Not necessary, but those who love Cthulhu and cosmic horror will enjoy the atmosphere even more!

### Is there a lot of text on the cards?
No, the text is minimal and easy to memorize, keeping the gameplay very fluid.