Prepare to unleash your inner magic and embark on a whimsical adventure with Unstable Unicorns, a game that will challenge your strategies and tickle your funny bone. In this enchanting realm, you’ll gather a colorful stable of unicorns, each with unique abilities and hilarious quirks. As you collect cards and interact with other players, a dynamic and ever-changing battlefield unfolds, where alliances are forged and broken with lightning speed.
The goal is simple: to be the first player to amass a herd of seven unicorns. However, the journey to victory is far from predictable. Along the way, you’ll encounter a myriad of obstacles, from mischievous Narwhals to the dreaded Baby Unicorn Apocalypse. With each card you draw, the game’s narrative takes unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat and ensuring that no two games are ever the same.
Objective of Unstable Unicorns
The primary goal in Unstable Unicorns is to be the last player with any unicorns remaining. You can either defeat other players by reducing their unicorn count to zero, obtain additional unicorns to expand your herd, or steal unicorns from other players. The game concludes once all players except one have either no unicorns left or have decided to leave the game voluntarily.
Building a Unicorn Army
Constructing a formidable unicorn army is crucial for your success in Unstable Unicorns. Acquiring new unicorns will allow you to increase your chances of overcoming opponents. You can obtain unicorns through various means, including drawing them from the deck or using cards that let you steal or trade unicorns from others.
Defeating Opponents
To defeat an opponent, you must reduce their unicorn count to zero. This can be accomplished by attacking them with your unicorns, using cards that deal direct damage, or employing abilities that force opponents to discard their unicorns. When a player loses all their unicorns, they are eliminated from the game.
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Draw Phase | Draw a card from the deck |
| Play Phase | Play a card from your hand |
| Attack Phase | Attack an opponent with your unicorns |
| Neighbor Phase | If you have two unicorns with the same number, you can combine them to form a Neighborhorn |
| End Phase | Discard down to five cards |
Setting Up the Game
Gather the Equipment
Unstable Unicorns requires a deck of cards, a game board, magical narwhal tokens, and a rainbow fart dispenser (optional, but highly recommended). Each player should also have a stable to store their unicorns.
Shuffle the Deck
Thoroughly shuffle the deck and place it face down in the center of the game board. Each player draws a hand of seven cards.
Card Breakdown
* Unicorns: These cards have various special abilities and victory points.
* Magic: These cards can cast spells, steal cards, or manipulate the game.
* Upgrades: These cards enhance the abilities of your unicorns.
* Downgrades: These cards weaken your opponents’ unicorns.
* Instant: These cards can be played at any time, regardless of the current phase.
Game Turn Breakdown
Each turn in Unstable Unicorns unfolds as follows:
1. Draw a Card
The active player draws the top card of the deck and adds it to their hand. If the deck runs out, shuffle the discard pile to create a new deck.
2. Play a Card
The player can play any number of cards from their hand. Cards can be used to summon unicorns, enchantments, or instant effects.
3. Activate Abilities
Once cards have been played, the player can activate the abilities of any unicorns or enchantments they control. This includes using special powers, moving unicorns, and triggering effects. Abilities can be activated in any order.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the activation sequence:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Declare Activation | The player declares which ability they are activating. |
| 2. Resolve Effects | The immediate effects of the ability are resolved, such as moving a unicorn or gaining victory points. |
| 3. Check Triggers | The ability may trigger other abilities, which are then resolved in the same sequence as the original ability. |
The activation sequence continues until all abilities have been resolved. Once the sequence is complete, the turn ends and the next player takes their turn.
Special Cards and Their Effects
Instability
Instability is a negative card that forces the player to discard half of their unicorn cards (rounded down). If they have no unicorns, they must draw a new card from the draw pile.
Neighslayer
Neighslayer is a devastating card that destroys a targeted unicorn with no subsequent “Nope” or “Rainbow” cards. It is an effective way to remove a powerful or annoying unicorn from play.
Super Neigh
Super Neigh allows the player to trade one of their unicorn cards with any other player’s unicorn card, regardless of protected status. This can be a strategic move to acquire a desired unicorn or disrupt an opponent’s strategy.
Double Neigh
Double Neigh doubles the power of a targeted unicorn’s special ability. This can significantly enhance the unicorn’s effectiveness in battle or disruption. Consider the following table for specific examples:
| Unicorn | Special Ability | Double Neigh Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Unicorn with “Draw 2 Cards” | Draw 4 Cards | Draw 8 Cards |
| Unicorn with “Destroy a Unicorn” | Destroy 2 Unicorns | Destroy 4 Unicorns |
Building a Stable
To establish a stable in Unstable Unicorns, players must gather Unicorn cards. These cards represent the creatures that will inhabit the stable, and each Unicorn has unique abilities that can aid or hinder the player.
Acquiring Unicorn Cards
Unicorn cards can be obtained through various means:
- Drawing from the deck
- Trading with other players
- Using special abilities or cards that grant Unicorns
Stable Capacity
Each player has a limited number of slots in their stable, which represents the maximum number of Unicorns they can have. The base game allows for 7 Unicorn slots, but this can be increased through certain cards or abilities.
Stable Abilities
When a Unicorn is placed in the stable, it activates its ability. Some abilities are passive and provide ongoing benefits, while others are triggered by specific actions or cards. Understanding the abilities of various Unicorns is crucial for strategizing and building a strong stable.
Stable Synergies
Combining Unicorns with complementary abilities can create powerful synergies. For example, some Unicorns may enhance the abilities of other Unicorns in the stable, while others may provide protection or countermeasures against certain cards or strategies.
Stable Management
Managing the stable involves balancing the abilities and effects of different Unicorns, as well as making strategic decisions about when to play or discard cards. Players can choose to remove Unicorns from their stable to gain access to new ones or to avoid negative effects. Additionally, some cards allow players to rearrange the order of their Unicorns in the stable, enabling them to optimize their strategy.
| Stable Capacity | Base Game | 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Stable Capacity Increase | Effect | Increases the number of Unicorn slots in the stable |
The Winner’s Determination
In Unstable Unicorns, the ultimate goal is to be the first player to amass a Stable of seven Unicorns. If multiple players achieve this goal simultaneously, a tiebreaker round ensues.
Tiebreaker Round
During the tiebreaker round, each player involved reveals the cards in their Stable, including any Magical Items, Upgrades, and downgrades. The player with the highest combined “Naughty Value” wins the game.
Calculating Naughty Value
The Naughty Value of each Stable is determined by summing the following:
| Card Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Unicorn | 1 |
| Magical Item | 2 |
| Upgrade | 3 |
| Downgrade | -1 |
For example, a Stable with two Unicorns, one Magical Item, and two Upgrades would have a Naughty Value of 2 + 2 + 3 = 7.
Advanced Strategies
Unleashing the Power of Stable Transfers
Stable transfers are a powerful way to strengthen your hand and weaken your opponent’s. By strategically placing your unicorns on your opponent’s stable, you can neutralize their abilities and gain an edge.
Exploiting the Weakness of Opponents’ Unicorns
Pay attention to the vulnerabilities of your opponents’ unicorns. If they have a unicorn that is vulnerable to a specific card or ability, try to capitalize on that weakness.
Manipulating the Draw Pile
The draw pile can be a valuable resource if you know how to manipulate it. By playing cards that add or remove cards from the pile, you can control the availability of certain cards and increase your chances of drawing what you need.
Selective Revealing
Revealing cards strategically can give you an advantage. By carefully choosing which cards to reveal, you can hide your intentions from your opponents or lead them into a trap.
Targeted Destruction
Don’t be afraid to use cards that can destroy your opponents’ unicorns. This can quickly eliminate their strongest assets and clear the way for your own victory.
Switching Up Your Strategy
Don’t become predictable. Vary your strategy from game to game to keep your opponents guessing. This will make it harder for them to anticipate your next move.
Building a Synergistic Team
| Unicorn | Ability |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Unicorn | Destroys all other unicorns with the same color. |
| Sparkly Unicorn | Protects all unicorns with the same color. |
| Zombie Unicorn | Returns to the stable after being destroyed. |
Consider the synergies between different unicorns and build a team that complements their abilities. This can create powerful combinations that can overwhelm your opponents.
Variations
There are several variations of Unstable Unicorns available, each with its unique gameplay elements:
- Unstable Unicorns NSFW: A mature-themed version of the game with more explicit cards and adult humor.
- Unstable Unicorns Rainbow Apocalypse: Introduces new unicorn cards with special abilities and a new “Apocalypse” mechanic.
- Unstable Unicorns Legends: Adds legendary unicorn cards with enhanced abilities and a new “Legacy” mechanic.
Expansions
In addition to the variations, there are also several expansions for Unstable Unicorns that add new cards and gameplay mechanics:
Unstable Unicorns Control & Chaos
Introduces new unicorn cards with “control” and “chaos” abilities, as well as a new “Chaos” mechanic that allows players to gain special powers.
Unstable Unicorns Unicorns of Legend
Adds a new type of unicorn card called “Legend” cards, which have powerful abilities and unique gameplay effects.
Unstable Unicorns Dragons
Introduces dragons as a new card type. Dragons have unique abilities and can interact with unicorns in various ways.
Unstable Unicorns Gen Con Exclusive: Geeks
An exclusive expansion that adds “Geek” unicorn cards with abilities related to popular culture and technology.
Unstable Unicorns Meeple Party
A collaborative expansion that introduces Meeples as a new game component. Players work together to complete objectives and earn points.
Unstable Unicorns Space Unicorns
Adds a new “Space” deck with cards featuring whimsical and intergalactic unicorns. These cards introduce new abilities and gameplay mechanics.
Unstable Unicorns Tiny Epic Unicorns
A compact version of the game that includes a streamlined set of cards and gameplay mechanics, making it perfect for quick and portable play.
Unstable Unicorns Rainbow Apocalypse: Secret Stash
A mini-expansion that adds new unicorn cards, disaster cards, and a new “Secret Stash” mechanic that allows players to hide cards from their opponents.
Troubleshooting Gameplay Issues
Exile Card Clarification
To exile a card, place it face down in a separate pile. This pile remains separate from the discard pile and cannot be interacted with in any way until the end of the game.
Upgrade Card Doubts
Upgrade cards can only be placed on cards that they specifically mention. They cannot be placed on any other cards, regardless of their abilities or effects.
Neighboring Cards and Unicorn Horns
Unicorn horns only affect neighboring cards that are face up and to the immediate left or right of the unicorn.
Baby Unicorn Protection
Baby unicorns cannot be targeted by other players’ abilities or effects while they are in the stable. They can be targeted once they are returned to the active area.
Instability’s Effect Duration
Instability’s effect lasts until the end of the turn in which it is played. If the unicorn with Instability is destroyed before the end of the turn, the Instability effect ends immediately.
Card Draw Limit
Players can draw up to seven cards at the end of their turn. If they have more than seven cards in their hand at the end of their turn, they must discard down to seven.
Impossible Actions
If a player is instructed to perform an action that is impossible (e.g., play a card when they have no cards in hand), the player simply skips that action.
Other Actions for Non-Magical Unicorns
Non-magical unicorns can perform only the basic actions listed in the rulebook. They cannot interact with magical cards or use special abilities.
Action Order Clarification
In the event of multiple actions or effects that occur simultaneously, the player whose turn it is always resolves their actions first. After that, the actions are resolved in clockwise order around the table.
| Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolves actions first | Resolves actions second | Resolves actions third |
Recommended Player Experience
Unstable Unicorns is a great game for people of all ages, but it is especially well-suited for players who enjoy strategy and humor. The game is easy to learn, but difficult to master, which makes it a great choice for both casual and experienced gamers. Here is a breakdown of the recommended player experience for Unstable Unicorns:
Ages: 7+
Number of players: 2-8
Playing time: 30-60 minutes
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
Types of players who enjoy Unstable Unicorns:
Unstable Unicorns: A Guide to Gameplay
Unstable Unicorns is a card game that combines the thrill of unicorn collection with the excitement of strategic combat. Players take on the role of unicorn enthusiasts who must battle each other to collect the most unicorns and complete their unique objectives.
The game is played over a series of rounds, each of which consists of several phases: the draw phase, the action phase, the battle phase, and the cleanup phase. During the draw phase, players draw a certain number of cards from the deck. In the action phase, players can play cards to summon unicorns to their stable, enchant their unicorns, or attack their opponents’ unicorns.
The battle phase occurs when two or more players attack each other’s unicorns. The player with the most powerful unicorn in the battle wins and receives a victory point. The game ends when one player collects seven victory points or when all the cards in the deck have been drawn.
People Also Ask
What is the goal of Unstable Unicorns?
The goal of Unstable Unicorns is to collect the most unicorns and complete your unique objectives.
How many players can play Unstable Unicorns?
Unstable Unicorns can be played with 2-8 players.
How long does a game of Unstable Unicorns take?
A game of Unstable Unicorns typically takes around 30-60 minutes to play.
