Etherstone
Etherstone at your next game night?
Add Etherstone to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Virginio Gigli , Simone Luciani
- Publisher ThunderGryph Games , Blackrock Games , CrowD Games , Ghenos Games
- Illustration Paolo Voto
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 lead a faction on Nobura, using Etherstones to shape the board and resisting the parasitic Vacuous. The game opens with a drafting phase (closed or open) for your hand and leader, then moves into hand management and deck/bag/pool building. Each turn you take exactly one action (Dice Draft, Summon, Attack, Rest, or Void Pact) to gain victory points by summoning, overcoming threats, and leveraging leader abilities. The game ends when one of several end conditions is met, such as empty hands or an exhausted threat deck.
Who Is This Game For?
For experienced players who enjoy drafting and engine-building; minimum age is 14. With a duration of about 60 minutes, Etherstone fits a regular game night but requires familiarity with hand management and asymmetric powers.
How It Works
At the start players draft a starting hand and a leader (Closed Drafting or Open Drafting) or use a preset hand for initial matches. Leaders have life, strength, and persistent asymmetric abilities (Variable Player Powers). Through the game you develop your deck/pool (Deck, Bag, and Pool Building) and manage cards in hand (Hand Management). On your turn you pick one action which interacts with threats, summons, or scoring. Drafting shapes immediate options while deck/pool building defines long-term planning.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Virginio Gigli and Simone Luciani, Etherstone mixes Closed and Open Drafting with Deck/Pool-Building and asymmetric leaders. The combination of Variable Player Powers and multiple action choices creates diverse strategic paths. The setting blends fantasy and science-fiction elements on the planet Nobura.
Pro
- Blend of closed and open drafting increases tactical depth
- Deck/Pool-building plus hand management supports engine development
- Asymmetric leader powers offer replayability
- Approx. 60-minute playtime fits a typical game night
Contra
- Minimum age 14 limits family play with younger children
- Strategic systems require several plays to master
Setting & atmosphere
The game is set on Nobura, a forgotten planet shaped by Etherstones; the parasitic Vacuous threaten life and drive the factions' conflict.
Tips for beginners
Start with the preset hands and leaders to learn abilities and the drafting flow before using full drafting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. Etherstone is designed for 2–4 players.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 60 minutes; initial sessions with setup and explanations may run longer.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with drafting and deck/pool-building is helpful; the game targets more experienced players.
How does this compare to similar games?
Etherstone combines Closed/Open Drafting with Variable Player Powers and deck/pool-building, emphasizing both short- and long-term decisions.
Is this suitable for families?
With a 14+ age and strategic depth, it’s less aimed at families with younger children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The core is the mix of Closed Drafting, Deck/Bag/Pool Building and Hand Management.
Fazit
Etherstone is recommended for players who like drafting and progressive card-building within ~60 minutes; it is less suitable for casual family play due to its strategic depth.
Etherstone at your next game night?
Add Etherstone to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Etherstone to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
