Mastering Unstable Unicorns

Engage in games with 2–8 players. Unstable Unicorns truly shines with a larger group, maximizing the deck's potential. For 2-player games, simply adjust the deck by removing select cards to maintain balance.

• In 2-player games, allocate a “Neigh” card to each player. Before dealing, remove the following cards: All Basic Unicorns, Queen Bee Unicorn, Seductive Unicorn, Rainbow Unicorn, Mother Goose Unicorn, Necromancer Unicorn, Nanny Cam, Sadistic Ritual, Slowdown, and Yay!

Opt for players aged 8 and above. While teenagers and adults will derive the most enjoyment from the game, children aged 8 and older can also participate. Due to the presence of numerous cards with unique powers and effects, younger children may find the game perplexing.

Expansions introduce new cards, some of which may not be suitable for children.

Achieve victory by playing 7 Unicorns in front of you. Each Unicorn card you play contributes 1 point toward your total, unless affected by other cards. Once a player plays their 7th Unicorn card, they win instantly!

• In games with 6–8 players, only 6 Unicorns are required to win.
• In case of a tie, count the letters in the names of all Unicorn cards played. The player with the most letters wins. If a tie persists, no one wins.

Randomize the deck and distribute 5 cards to each player. Shuffle all cards with black backs thoroughly. Then, deal the cards face-down to all players. Players can examine their own hands but must keep them concealed from others. Place the remaining cards face-down in the center of the table to form the draw pile.

Provide each player with a Baby Unicorn and a reference card. At the game's outset, each player receives an adorable Baby Unicorn card featuring a purple icon in the top left corner and a white back. The specific Baby Unicorn card used is inconsequential, as they all share the same effect. Display your Baby Unicorn card face-up in front of you, constituting your Stable. Keep your reference card nearby for quick access to keywords and card effects.

• Place the remaining Baby Unicorn cards face-up in the center of the table, forming the Nursery stack.

Select the most colorfully dressed person as the starting player. The individual sporting the most vibrant colors earns the privilege of going first. Alternatively, you can opt for a random selection if no clear winner emerges.

Trigger effects of cards in your Stable that activate at the beginning of your turn. While the first turn may lack such cards, you may encounter them in subsequent turns. Cards with effects like “If this card is in your Stable at the beginning of your turn…” can be activated immediately.

• Effects may include playing a Unicorn from your hand, drawing extra cards, or pilfering cards from opponents.
• Effects preceded by the word “may” are optional, while others are compulsory.
• If multiple cards possess abilities triggering at the start of your turn, their effects occur simultaneously. Even if a card instructs you to end your turn after activation, you can still utilize other cards' effects in your Stable.

Draw a card from the deck. Simply pick up the top card from the deck and add it to your hand, ensuring it remains concealed from other players.

• If the deck runs out of cards, the game concludes automatically. The player with the most Unicorn cards claims victory.

Choose one action from the 5 available options during your turn. With only one action permitted per turn, exercise prudent judgment in your selection. While augmenting your Stable with more Unicorns is typically advantageous, consider thwarting your opponent if they are nearing victory. We'll delve into the functions of different card types later, but your available actions encompass:

• Playing a Unicorn card
• Playing a Magic card
• Playing a Downgrade card
• Playing an Upgrade card
• Drawing a card from the deck

If your hand exceeds 7 cards, discard down to 7 cards. There's no need to discard on your first turn, but in subsequent turns, ensure you maintain no more than 7 cards. Choose the cards you wish to discard and place them face-up next to the deck in a discard pile.

• Once you finish your turn, the player to your left takes their turn.

Unicorn cards. Recognizable by a horn symbol in the top left corner, Unicorn cards are fundamental to the game. They remain in your Stable until sacrificed or destroyed by other cards. There are 3 types:

• Baby Unicorn: Indicated by a purple horn icon, each player begins with 1 Baby Unicorn. You cannot directly add Baby Unicorn cards to your hand.
• Basic Unicorn: Marked with an indigo icon, these cards lack special effects but contribute towards your victory condition.
• Magical Unicorn: Featuring a light blue icon, Magical Unicorn cards offer additional advantages with triggered effects.

Magic cards. Identified by a green star icon, Magic cards activate specific effects when played. After resolving the effect, place the Magic card in the discard pile.

• Effects of Magic cards may include drawing new cards, playing Unicorns, or stealing cards from opponents.

Downgrade cards. Marked by a yellow arrow pointing down, Downgrade cards inflict negative effects on other players, remaining in their Stable until removed.

• These cards may limit card abilities or restrict play options.
• When a card targets players:
  • 'Any player' includes yourself.
  • 'Another player' excludes yourself.
  • 'Each player' affects all players, including yourself.

Upgrade cards. Identified by an orange arrow pointing upward, Upgrade cards offer powerful bonuses to aid in victory. These bonuses persist until the card is either destroyed or sacrificed.

• Effects of Upgrade cards may include drawing additional cards, destroying opponents' cards, or granting bonus actions.
• Upgrade cards can be played on any player, including yourself.

Instant cards. Instant cards feature a red exclamation point in the top corner. These cards are unique as they can be played during another player's turn, enabling you to disrupt their actions.

• If an opponent plays a card granting them an extra action, you can use an Instant card to negate the effect, causing them to lose their turn.
• Multiple Instant cards can be played within a single turn.

Discard. When instructed to discard, choose a card from your hand and place it face-up in the discard pile.

Sacrifice. To sacrifice a card, remove it from your Stable and place it in the discard pile.

Destroy. When you're instructed to destroy, you can discard a card from another player’s Stable. Simply select a player and the card you wish for them to discard.

Steal. When a card allows you to steal, pick another player and take a card from their Stable. Then, add the stolen card to your own Stable.