Etherfields
2020
Etherfields invites players into a cooperative exploration of unique, chilling dreamscapes. Unravel the mystery of your identity while navigating escape-room riddles and a dynamic game system.
180
minutes
1 - 4
player(s)
12+
Medium Heavy
About the game
Etherfields is a narrative, cooperative game for 1 – 4 (5 with the 5th player expansion). A series of unique Dreams await to be discovered through tense exploration and tactical encounters. Learn about the Dreamers, their forgotten past, and their desperate mission. Uncover the surreal, sprawling dreamscapes. Just don’t be surprised when—just like dreams often do—they become a little disturbing… Prepare to be challenged by escape-room like riddles. Spot a clue in the image. See a hidden link between several pieces of information. Use your instinct as much as your logic. In the beginning, you’ll explore the Dreamworld, trying to find out what this is all about and who you are – and you are there for a specific reason, but, at first, you can’t remember too much. You’ll have to restore your memories from scattered pieces. The rules are pretty straightforward at the beginning, but they will grow more and more complex during the campaign. New rules open new possibilities and, sometimes, may turn everything upside down. Deckbuilding in Etherfields applies to almost every deck in the game, not only the players’ ones. If you want to know more, enter the Dreamworld. It may be dark here and there, but it certainly isn’t gray. Then, look around and ask yourself: what if we all live in a vast, shared dream? —description from the publisher
Setup and rules summary
End of the game All good games must come to an end
Etherfields is a dream-crawling, cooperative board game with elements of adventure, mystery, and horror. The game ends when players manage to complete all objectives, or when they run out of time and the ‘Awakening Track’ is filled.
Here are the detailed victory conditions:
- Completing Objectives: The primary way to win Etherfields is by completing all three parts of the main objective. These objectives are outlined at the start of the game and are typically completed by exploring the dream world, finding clues, and overcoming challenges. The specific objectives can vary from game to game, providing a unique experience each time.
- Filling the Awakening Track: If players haven’t completed the main objective by the time the Awakening Track is filled, the game ends. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean a loss. Players will then calculate their score to see if they have accumulated enough points to win.
Before final scoring, players must take the following actions:
- Resolve Remaining Cards: Ensure all cards in play have been resolved, including any remaining entity cards or dream gate cards.
- Count Etherfields Points: Total up the Etherfields points (EP) from all collected cards. These represent your achievements in the dream world and contribute to your final score.
- Calculate Bonus Points: Count any bonus points from special cards or abilities. Some abilities or items may grant additional points at the end of the game.
- Subtract Awakening Track Penalties: Subtract any penalties from the Awakening Track. The further along the track, the larger the penalty will be.
In the end, if the total score is equal to or higher than the victory threshold (as indicated in the rulebook), the players win. If not, the dream world remains a mystery, and the players have lost.
Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?
Etherfields is a cooperative board game with a unique scoring system. The score is determined by measuring the progress of the players through the game’s dream world. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the scoring system:
At its core, the scoring in Etherfields revolves around the following elements:
- The number of Dream Points (DP) – These are earned by completing specific tasks or challenges within the game. The DP is the primary measure of a player’s progress.
- The number of Etherfields Points (EP) – These are secondary points earned by players for overcoming obstacles and achieving secondary objectives.
- The number of Secret Points (SP) – These are hidden points that players can earn during the game. They add an element of surprise and unpredictability to the final score.
At the end of the game, the players’ scores are calculated as follows:
- Add up all the Dream Points – These are the main source of points for players. Typically, the player with the most DP is the winner.
- Add up all the Etherfields Points – EP are added to the total DP to form the final score. They can tip the balance in close games.
- Add any Secret Points – SP are added last. They can drastically change the final standings, as they are often awarded for difficult or unique achievements.
The player with the highest combined score of DP, EP, and SP is the winner. In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaking rules are applied:
- Compare the number of Dream Points – The player with the most DP wins.
- Compare the number of Etherfields Points – If the DP are equal, the player with the most EP wins.
- Compare the number of Secret Points – If both DP and EP are equal, the player with the most SP wins.
- Compare the number of completed objectives – If all the points are equal, the player who completed the most objectives wins.