How to Play - ESPIONAGE the card game

Here is the official rules for the ESPIONAGE the card game.

The play summary included in the game box is a brief description on how to play the game. The complete rules are explained here:

To start the game, all cards must be reshuffled into a single draw pile. The 52-card deck should include all 4 unique gold cards and 48 common cards (3 copies for each card). Cards are designated as either a Mission card or a Reaction card.

Deal 2 cards for each player as their starting hand. Players must not reveal their cards in hand to anyone unless it was created by a card effect. Choose which player goes first and play continues in a clockwise direction.

At the start of each player’s turn, he draws 2 cards from the draw pile. During his turn, he can either Pass or Play up to 3 Mission cards. Some Reaction cards can be played as Mission cards and are included in the count. If he declared to pass, his turn ends. The next player may now start his turn and play any cards. Game ends when the draw pile is depleted.

When a card is played or discarded from hand, it is placed in the discard pile. Some cards like the Medic can retrieve cards from the discard pile. Some gold cards causes instant defeat when discarded. You can prevent that by using defensive cards like the Police, Decoy or Bodyguard. Copy cards like the Ninja or Mercenary cards can replicate the same effect.

Players can have as many cards in their hand. To win the game, players must eliminate an opponent by forcing him to discard his gold cards. Some gold cards like the Target card provides instant victory when revealed at the end of game. Other gold cards like the Package card will grant you victory if you have 10 or more cards in hand. But beware of the Bomb card which spells instant defeat if you have this card at the end of the game. The Bomb card overrules any other card and cannot be removed from the game. The Protector card is a unique card that allows you to steal the Target card from being discarded. Unfortunately, it can be copied or prevented by Reaction cards.

Mission cards can only be played during the current player’s turn. Reaction cards can be played during any player’s turn, mostly to prevent an opponent’s card or copy another card’s effect. For multiple use of reaction cards, the effect of the latest Reaction card is resolved first before the previous reaction card takes effect. In game terms, it’s called LIFO (Last In First Out).

The draw pile must be reshuffled whenever a card was drawn using a search effect. Cards can only be drawn from the top card of the deck. An exception to the rule is the Detective card, where you can look at the top 3 cards of the draw pile and add one of them to your hand. The rest is returned at the top of the draw pile in any order.

The main purpose of the game is to eliminate another player by forcing him to discard his cards in hand. Players can do this by utilizing attack cards like the Sniper, Assassin or Terrorist cards. Players can also steal cards from the opponent by playing Infiltrator or Double Agent.

When the draw pile is depleted, all players must reveal their cards in hand. Whoever has the Bomb card automatically loses. Whoever has the Target card wins the game.

Rules may change when new cards are added in future expansions. We will always post any rules clarification when that happens. Just let us know if you have any other questions.

Hope you enjoy playing our game!