APEX: Carnivore
APEX: Carnivore at your next game night?
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- Designer Fulvio Flamini , Hendrik Poulsen Nautrup , Lea M. Trenkwalder
- Publisher OneStone Studios
- Illustration Alexander Rommel
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You evolve a carnivore species by adding traits to your deck that change hunting, defense and maneuvering. Each round you draw a hand, activate traits and roll a d20 against a Difficulty Class to trigger effects or mutate new traits from a shared pool. Fights compare total Power and Defense and excess damage reduces the opponent’s population. The game is compact (~30 minutes) and rewards timing and sequencing of active modifiers.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at gamers who like short, tactical duels: APEX: Carnivore is for ages 10+ and supports 1–2 players. The roughly 30‑minute playtime fits quick match sessions or multiple quick rematches. Prior experience with deck- or engine-building is helpful but not strictly required.
How It Works
APEX blends Deck, Bag, and Pool Building with Dice Rolling: activate traits from your hand or evolve new ones from a shared pool via d20 checks against a Difficulty Class. There is no currency—your die and engine determine what you can activate or acquire. Open Drafting and stat-based turn order influence who acts first, while active modifiers apply to all checks that turn.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Fulvio Flamini, Hendrik Poulsen Nautrup and Lea M. Trenkwalder, the game pairs evolutionary theming with mechanical clarity: Deck/Pool-Building plus Dice Rolling and Open Drafting are central. The head-to-head focus and the population-reduction victory condition set it apart in short competitive deckbuilders.
Pro
- Short playtime (~30 minutes) suitable for quick duels
- Mix of Deck/Pool-Building and Dice Rolling creates tactical depth
- Direct head-to-head evolution with clear win condition (reduce opponent population)
- Includes solo rules (per designer description)
Contra
- Combination of dice checks and engine planning can be steep for newcomers
- Core design targets 1–2 players; larger free-for-alls require two copies
Setting & atmosphere
The game is set in a prehistoric evolution scenario: both players start as a shared Miacidae ancestor and branch toward three carnivore families (Felidae, Ursidae, Mustelidae), as stated in the designer's description.
Tips for beginners
Start with a focused set of reliable traits and pay attention to active modifiers; sequencing and timing matter more than having many options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The designer's description states that solo rules are included; the game supports 1–2 players.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 30 minutes, making it a compact option for short match sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with deck- or engine-building and dice checks helps, since outcomes depend on d20 rolls and engine synergies.
How does this compare to similar games?
APEX combines deck/pool-building with d20-based checks and open drafting in direct duels, emphasizing a confrontational, population-reduction victory condition.
Is this suitable for families?
Rated 10+; short playtime makes it approachable for families with older children, though dice-based checks and strategy may challenge younger players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The defining mechanic is the mix of Deck, Bag and Pool Building with Dice Rolling (d20 checks) alongside Open Drafting.
Fazit
A strong choice for players wanting quick, tactical deckbuilding duels with a biological theme. Recommended if you prefer concise, confrontational games; less so if you want long, campaign-style experiences.
APEX: Carnivore at your next game night?
Add APEX: Carnivore to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add APEX: Carnivore to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
