Codex Quest

A solo dungeon-crawler card game. Accrue Magic Points to cast Creatures and Spells, battle the dungeon door to gain Victory Points, and defeat three dungeon bosses to capture the Codex.

Magic Points cast cards Victory Points unlock bosses Creatures battle for VP Tribute for MP back
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How to Play

Read on, then scroll back up to Begin your Quest.

The Goal

Accrue Victory Points to unlock three Dungeon Doors, then defeat the Boss behind each one. Topple all three Bosses — Killer Worm, Necromancer, and Demon Wizard — to conquer the Codex.

Magic Points (MP)

Spent to cast cards. Accrue each turn and reclaim by Tributing.

Victory Points (VP)

Earned in Battle. Reach the threshold to reveal a Boss.

Turn Structure

Magic Phase

Draw a card and accrue Magic Points (MP). MP is spent to cast the cards in your hand.

Main Phase

Cast Creatures, Spells, and Enchantments by paying their MP cost, or Tribute cards in play to regain MP.

Battle Phase

Send your Creatures into battle to earn Victory Points (VP). Beware counterattacks that can destroy them.

Card Types

Creatures

Enter the board and attack during the Battle phase to earn VP. Some have Persistence or reveal effects.

Spells

One-time effects. Flaming Skulls and Turn into Ice are cast when a Boss is revealed to damage or negate it.

Enchantments

Linger on the board. All-Seeing Eye peeks behind the Dungeon Door; Protective Dome buffs a Creature (+3 MP, +2 HP).

You may have up to 8 cards in hand and 5 cards in play at once.

The Three Bosses

1. The Catacombs — Killer Worm

Reveals at 3 VP. When revealed: Discard a card, or sacrifice a Creature if you can't. Challenge it with 4 Power to defeat.

2. The Deep Keep — Necromancer

Reveals at 5 VP. When revealed: Roll a die. 1-3: Dungeon closes. 4-6: Draw a card. Challenge it with 6 Power to defeat.

3. The Depths of HFIL — Demon Wizard

Reveals at 7 VP. When revealed: Discard all cards. Challenge without 8 Power and the Dungeon closes. Challenge it with 8 Power to defeat.

When a Boss Appears

A reveal opens a reaction window: cast Flaming Skulls (−3 Boss MP) or Turn into Ice (negate its effect) — pay leftover MP or Tribute in-play cards to afford them. Then Challenge: your board Power plus discarded cards must meet the Boss's MP to defeat it, or the Dungeon closes.

A special thank you to OpenGameArt.org for the amazing artists who helped me easily create this game. Especially Stephen Challener (Redshrike) and Daniel Cook, hosted by OpenGameArt.org