How to Play Spirit Island

Introduction

Spirit Island is a cooperative strategy board game where players take on the role of spirits of the land defending their island home from colonizing Invaders. With its unique blend of strategy, cooperation, and thematic gameplay, this game offers a challenging and rewarding experience for players of all levels.

How to Play Spirit Island: Step-by-Step

1. Setup:

• Place the Spirit boards, cards, and tokens in the designated areas of the board.
• Divide the Invader cards into four decks and place them face down.
• Choose a Spirit and place its Spirit board in the center of the table.
• Each player draws a hand of four cards and selects a starting Power Card.
• Place wooden components on the board representing the spirits and invaders.

2. Gameplay Overview:

• The game is played in turns, with each player taking their turn clockwise.
• On your turn, you can perform various actions, including:
  • Play a card to activate its abilities and boost your powers.
  • Move your spirit to a different part of the island.
  • Gather energy to power your abilities.
  • Defeat Invaders by attacking their settlements and cities.

3. Game Phases:

• The game is divided into four phases:
  • Growth Phase: During this phase, players draw new cards and gain energy.
  • Action Phase: Players take turns playing cards and performing actions to defend the island.
  • Invader Phase: Invaders expand their settlements and attack the spirits.
  • Resolution Phase: This phase includes collecting energy, discarding cards, and checking for victory/defeat.

4. Winning the Game:

• To win the game, players must fulfill certain victory conditions specified by their chosen Spirit. These conditions typically involve defending certain land areas or defeating specific Invader settlements.
• If the Invaders manage to establish too many settlements or achieve their victory conditions, the players lose the game.

How to Play Spirit Island for Beginners

1. Choose a Spirit:

• For beginners, it’s recommended to choose a Spirit with straightforward abilities, such as “Serpent Slumbering Beneath the Island.” This spirit has powerful innate abilities and is easy to learn.

2. Start with a Small Invader Presence:

• To make the game more manageable for beginners, start with a lower Invader level. This will give you more time to develop your Spirit’s powers and defend the island.

3. Plan Your Turns:

• Take your time to plan out your actions during each turn. Consider the available options, the Invader placements, and your Spirit’s abilities to optimize your moves.

4. Work Together:

• Communication and cooperation are key to success in Spirit Island. Discuss your strategies with other players, coordinate your actions, and adapt to changing situations as a team.