Game Overview
DoomCasters is a competitive card game for 2-4 players where you take on the role of a powerful villain seeking to destroy worlds and accumulate power. Through spell fusion, strategic card play, and world destruction, players race to become the ultimate destroyer.
Game Goal: Be the first player to accumulate 100 Power Points by destroying worlds and casting devastating spell combinations.
Game Setup
2 Players
7 cards each
3 World cards
45-60 min
3 Players
6 cards each
4 World cards
60-75 min
4 Players
5 cards each
5 World cards
75-90 min
Components
Card Types
- Spell Cards (80): Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Void elements
- World Cards (20): Planets and realms to destroy
- Artifact Cards (15): Powerful permanent effects
- Event Cards (10): Game-changing moments
Other Components
- Power Point tokens
- Element tracking board
- First player marker
- Damage calculator reference
Turn Structure
Draw 2 cards
Play spells & abilities
Target worlds/players
Discard to hand limit
Spell Fusion System
Basic Fusion Rules
- Combine 2-3 spell cards of different elements
- Calculate total damage using fusion multipliers
- Apply special effects based on element combinations
- Physically tear and merge cards for permanent new spells
Fusion Multipliers
- Fire + Earth: x2 damage, destroys defenses
- Water + Air: x1.5 damage, bounces to second target
- Void + Any Element: x3 damage, cannot be countered
- Triple Fusion: x4 damage, additional special effect
World Destruction
Attacking Worlds
- Declare target world during Attack Phase
- World defends with its defense value
- Calculate total damage from your spells
- If damage exceeds defense, world is destroyed
- Gain Power Points equal to world's value
World Defense Mechanics
- Worlds have base defense values (5-15 points)
- Some worlds gain defense each turn they survive
- Certain artifacts can boost world defenses
- Environmental effects may protect worlds
Card Modification Rules
Ripping & Merging
- Players may physically tear cards during their turn
- Torn pieces can be recombined with other cards
- New combinations must be approved by all players
- Modified cards become permanent for the game
- Each player may modify maximum 3 cards per game
Important: Card modification is optional. Players uncomfortable with tearing cards can use proxy cards or digital alternatives.
Winning Conditions
Primary Victory
- First player to reach 100 Power Points wins immediately
- Power Points are gained by destroying worlds and defeating opponents
Alternative Victory Conditions
- Apocalypse Victory: Destroy 3 worlds in a single turn
- Domination Victory: Control 5 artifacts simultaneously
- Elimination Victory: Be the last player remaining
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Shuffle the spell deck and deal cards based on player count (see Game Setup section)
2. Place world cards in the center equal to player count + 1
3. Each player starts with 10 Power Points
4. Randomly determine first player
5. Begin with the first player's turn
Spell fusion allows you to combine 2-3 different element cards:
1. Choose spell cards of different elements from your hand
2. Add their base damage values together
3. Apply the fusion multiplier based on element combination
4. Apply any special effects from the fusion
Example: Fire (3 damage) + Water (2 damage) = 5 damage x1.2 multiplier = 6 total damage
No! Card tearing is completely optional. You have several alternatives:
• Use the included proxy cards for modifications
• Use sleeves and dry-erase markers
• Download and print modification sheets
• Play digitally with the companion app
The tearing mechanic is for players who enjoy the tactile experience, but it's never required.
Each world has a defense value printed on the card:
• Your total spell damage must exceed this value to destroy the world
• Some worlds have special defense abilities
• Other players cannot defend worlds during your attack
• If you fail to destroy a world, it gains +1 defense permanently
• Successfully destroying a world gives you its Power Point value
Artifacts provide permanent effects while in play:
• Play during your Action Phase for the artifact cost
• Effects remain active until the artifact is destroyed
• You can control multiple artifacts simultaneously
• Some artifacts have triggered abilities
• Artifacts can be targeted and destroyed by certain spells
Void is the most powerful but rarest element:
• Void spells cannot be countered or negated
• Void fusion multipliers are higher than other combinations
• Only 10 Void cards exist in the entire deck
• Void spells ignore most defensive abilities
• Some artifacts specifically interact with Void magic
Yes, hand size is limited:
• Maximum 8 cards in hand at end of turn
• During your turn, you can hold any number of cards
• At end of turn, discard down to 8 cards
• Some artifacts can modify your hand limit
• Choose which cards to discard strategically
Yes, but with restrictions:
• You can target players who have 30+ Power Points
• Successful attacks steal half their Power Points (rounded down)
• Players can defend using defensive spells
• Attacking players is riskier than attacking worlds
• Some spells specifically target players regardless of Power Points
The damage calculator is helpful but not required:
• Available free at calculator.doomcasters.com
• Automatically calculates fusion multipliers
• Tracks complex spell combinations
• You can calculate damage manually using the reference sheet
• Especially useful for 3+ card fusions
Yes, official tournament rules include:
• No card modification allowed in tournaments
• Standardized deck compositions
• Time limits: 90 minutes per game
• Specific tiebreaker procedures
• Judge calls for disputed interactions
• Full rules available in the tournament guide PDF
Strategy Guide
Master these strategies to become the ultimate DoomCaster and dominate your opponents.
Early Game Strategy
- Prioritize easy worlds: Target low-defense worlds for quick Power Points
- Build your hand: Don't spend all cards immediately; plan fusion combinations
- Watch opponents: Track what elements other players are collecting
- Save Void cards: Void is powerful late game; don't waste it early
Spell Fusion Mastery
Best Fusion Combinations
- Fire + Earth + Void: Maximum damage output for tough worlds
- Water + Air: Efficient multi-target attacks
- Fire + Void: High damage that can't be countered
- Earth + Water + Air: Balanced damage with utility effects
When to Fuse vs. Single Spells
- Use single spells for quick, low-cost attacks
- Fuse when you need to overcome high defenses
- Triple fusions for game-ending plays
- Consider hand management when deciding to fuse
Resource Management
Power Point Economy
- Don't hoard Power Points; invest in artifacts
- Balance between aggressive play and defense
- Consider the 30-point attack threshold
- Use Power Points to acquire better cards when possible
Hand Management
- Maintain element diversity in your hand
- Don't hold too many of the same element
- Plan your discards strategically
- Sometimes drawing extra cards is better than playing spells
Advanced Tactics
World Selection
- High-value worlds: Worth the extra effort late game
- Special ability worlds: Destroy these before they become problematic
- Defensive worlds: Target these when opponents are weak
- Chain destruction: Some worlds make others easier to destroy
Artifact Priorities
- Maw's Embrace: Increases Void spell effectiveness
- Elemental Conduits: Reduce fusion costs
- World Shields: Protect valuable worlds from opponents
- Power Amplifiers: Multiply your Power Point generation
Multiplayer Dynamics
Player Interaction
- Form temporary alliances against the leader
- Trade information about world defenses
- Time your attacks to avoid retaliation
- Use politics to redirect opponents' attention
End Game Tactics
- Watch for opponents nearing 100 Power Points
- Save defensive spells for crucial moments
- Consider alternative victory conditions
- Don't reveal your winning hand too early
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overextending: Don't spend all resources on one attack
- Ignoring defense: Some defensive preparation is necessary
- Poor fusion timing: Save big combinations for important moments
- Tunnel vision: Adapt your strategy based on board state
- Neglecting artifacts: Permanent effects compound over time
Pro Tip: The best DoomCasters adapt their strategy based on what other players are doing. Stay flexible and always have a backup plan!
Practice Scenarios
Scenario 1: Behind in Points
When trailing, focus on high-risk, high-reward plays. Target the leader's resources and look for alternative victory conditions. Consider more aggressive fusion strategies even if they're resource-intensive.
Scenario 2: Leading the Game
When ahead, play more conservatively. Defend your position, make efficient plays, and don't give opponents opportunities to catch up. Focus on consistent Power Point generation.
Scenario 3: Close End Game
When multiple players are near victory, every decision matters. Analyze all possible plays, consider what opponents might do, and position yourself for the optimal final turn.