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The Shipwreck Arcana

The Shipwreck Arcana

Meromorph Games · 2017
2–510–30 min12+ yrs2.2/5 complexity7.4 BGG#835 BGG7 KCo-op
short answer

How do you play The Shipwreck Arcana?

The main objective is for the team of fortune tellers to correctly deduce and guess seven fate tokens before the doom token advances to seven, which results in an immediate loss for the team.

To find the best price for The Shipwreck Arcana, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.

Not available new in shops
The Shipwreck Arcana box art
official art · Meromorph Games
the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01

Setup

Players lay out five fate cards with moon pip symbols and a doom token, then each player receives a bag of numbered fate tokens from 1 to 7.

The rules, step by step

Setup
In The Shipwreck Arcana, players set up the game by placing five random fate cards face-up in a row in the center of the table. A doom token is placed at the start of the fate card track. Each player is given a bag containing a complete set of numbered fate tokens from 1 to 7, along with matching numbered tiles to place in front of them for reference.
Objective
The main objective is for the team of fortune tellers to correctly deduce and guess seven fate tokens before the doom token advances to seven, which results in an immediate loss for the team.
On your turn
On your turn, you draw two fate tokens from your bag. You choose one to play face-down or face-up in front of one of the available fate cards as a clue, following that card's specific logical condition. The other players must then discuss and deduce what your second hidden fate token is based on your clue and previous game history.
Scoring
If the team correctly guesses your hidden token, you earn a point token, and the corresponding fate card fades and is replaced. If they guess incorrectly, the doom token advances.
Game end
The game concludes when the players successfully collect seven point tokens to win, or when the doom token hits seven, triggering a loss.
Tips
Pay close attention to card rules and previous eliminations. Avoid taking unnecessary risks on ambiguous guesses, as failed predictions advance the doom tracker and bring the team closer to defeat.
game anatomy
Complexity2.2 / 5
BGG rating7.4 / 10
Vibe
Co-op
Language dependence
Moderate text — a crib sheet helps
Play time
10–30 min
Players
2–5
Recommended age
12+ yrs
BGG rank
#835
from Trișache · verified

Frequently asked questions

Q1What is the goal of the game?
The main objective is for the team of fortune tellers to correctly deduce and guess seven fate tokens before the doom token advances to seven, which results in an immediate loss for the team.
Q2How do you set up the game?
In The Shipwreck Arcana, players set up the game by placing five random fate cards face-up in a row in the center of the table. A doom token is placed at the start of the fate card track. Each player is given a bag containing a complete set of numbered fate tokens from 1 to 7, along with matching numbered tiles to place in front of them for reference.
Q3How does a turn work?
On your turn, you draw two fate tokens from your bag. You choose one to play face-down or face-up in front of one of the available fate cards as a clue, following that card's specific logical condition. The other players must then discuss and deduce what your second hidden fate token is based on your clue and previous game history.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
If the team correctly guesses your hidden token, you earn a point token, and the corresponding fate card fades and is replaced. If they guess incorrectly, the doom token advances.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes when the players successfully collect seven point tokens to win, or when the doom token hits seven, triggering a loss.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
Pay close attention to card rules and previous eliminations. Avoid taking unnecessary risks on ambiguous guesses, as failed predictions advance the doom tracker and bring the team closer to defeat.
Q7How much does The Shipwreck Arcana cost?
No store is currently tracking The Shipwreck Arcana. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy The Shipwreck Arcana cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play The Shipwreck Arcana?
The Shipwreck Arcana is a card game game, for 2–5 players, taking ~10–30 minutes, featuring communication limits. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about The Shipwreck Arcana — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does The Shipwreck Arcana support?
The Shipwreck Arcana is played by 2–5 players.

Right now, none of the shops we track sells The Shipwreck Arcana new.

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