Rules FAQ
Rules questions and answers · Standard Game, Grandma's Rules and Team Brawl
This page answers the questions players ask most often about Cube Creatures. For the full step by step rules, see the Standard Game Rules or Grandma's Rules.
Jump to a Section
- About the Game
- Setup
- Turn Structure
- Attacking and Damage
- The Guard
- Creature Powers
- Upgrade Cards
- Action Cards, Reaction Cards and Healing
- 3 to 5 Player Games
- Team Brawl (2 vs 2)
- Grandma's Rules
- Collecting, Deck Building and Drafts
- Rules Glossary
- Still Have a Question?
About the Game
What is Cube Creatures?
Cube Creatures is a battle card game for 2 to 5 players where weird and wild creatures fight for victory. You summon a team of Creatures onto your Battlefield, upgrade them, and attack your opponents. The first player to defeat 5 enemy Creatures wins.
How many people can play Cube Creatures?
2 to 5 players. Both the Standard Game and Grandma's Rules support 2 to 5 players. There is also a Team Brawl variant for exactly 4 players in two teams of two.
What age is Cube Creatures for?
The Standard Game is recommended for ages 6 and up. Grandma's Rules, a simplified version that uses only the Creature cards, works for ages 5 and up.
How long does a game of Cube Creatures take?
About 15 minutes for the Standard Game and about 10 minutes for Grandma's Rules.
What comes in the Cube Creatures box?
- A 60 card deck (including 2 rare foils)
- 4 Health Point counter dials
- 1 attack die (six-sided)
- 2 paper playmats
- A printed rulebook
Do I need anything besides what comes in the box?
No. Everything you need to play is included.
Is there a how to play video?
Yes. There is a 5 minute video for the Standard Game and a 1 minute video for Grandma's Rules at howtoplay.cubecreatures.com.
Where can I find the complete rules?
The Standard Game Rules and Grandma's Rules are both on this site in full, and the printed rulebook is available as a PDF download.
What happens if the text on a card contradicts the rulebook?
The card wins. Card text always overrides the general rules in the rulebook.
What is the difference between the Standard Game and Grandma's Rules?
The Standard Game uses all four card types, gives each player a Battlefield of up to 3 Creatures with a Guard in front, and includes Upgrades, Creature Powers, Action cards and Reaction cards. Grandma's Rules uses only the 30 Creature cards, gives each player a single Creature at a time, and skips Battlefields and Guards entirely. Grandma's Rules is for ages 5 and up and plays in about 10 minutes.
How do I make the Standard Game simpler for a first game?
Remove the Reaction and Upgrade cards from the deck before you shuffle. That lets everyone focus on playing Creatures, playing Action cards, and attacking. Add them back in once the group is comfortable.
Setup
How do you set up a game of Cube Creatures?
- Unfold the 2 playmats. They are optional guides for your first games.
- Shuffle and deal 7 cards to each player. Place the rest face down in the middle of the table as a shared deck.
- Put 2 Creatures onto your Battlefield. One in the Guard spot and one behind it.
- Youngest player goes first, or play Rock, Paper, Scissors. Turns then go clockwise.
What is a Battlefield?
Your Battlefield is the area of the table in front of you. It holds up to 3 Creatures and any Upgrade cards attached to them. Some Action cards and Creature Powers can open up a 4th spot. The first spot on your Battlefield is the Guard position. Once a Creature is played to your Battlefield it cannot return to your hand.
Do we have to use the playmats?
No. The playmats are optional guides that show where cards go. Once you understand the layout you can play without them.
There are only 2 playmats. What do extra players do?
Extra players simply copy the same layout directly on the table. The playmats are guides, not a required component.
What if I do not have 2 Creature cards in my starting hand?
Shuffle your hand back into the deck and draw a new hand of 7 cards.
What if we run out of Health Point dials?
The box includes 4 dials which is generally enough for most games. If you need more, you can use pen and paper to track Health Points instead.
Who goes first in Cube Creatures?
The youngest player goes first, or play Rock, Paper, Scissors. Play then continues clockwise.
Turn Structure
What are the steps of a turn in Cube Creatures?
- Draw a card (required)
- Main Phase (optional*). Each of these may be done once per turn, in any order: play a Creature card, play an Action card, play an Upgrade card, use a Creature Power, and change your Guard.
-
Attack (required)
*Playing a Creature card is required if you have an empty Battlefield.
Do I have to take my turn steps in a specific order?
Draw a card first and attack last. The Main Phase steps in between can be done in any order you like.
Which turn steps are required?
Drawing a card at the start of your turn is required, and attacking at the end of your turn is required. Everything in the Main Phase is optional, with the exception of playing a Creature card. If your Battlefield is empty then you have to play a Creature card that turn.
Can I play more than one Action card on my turn?
No. You may play one Creature card, one Action card, one Upgrade card, use one Creature Power, and change your Guard once, each at most once per turn. Reaction cards are the exception, and are not limited.
What if my Battlefield is already full when I want to play a Creature?
You cannot play another Creature. Your Battlefield holds a maximum of 3 Creatures. A spot only opens up when one of your Creatures is defeated or is removed by a card. Playing a Creature is optional, so if all 3 spots are filled you simply move on to the rest of your turn. The one exception is, there are some Action cards and Creature Powers that can open up an additional 4th Creature spot.
Can I swap out a Creature on my Battlefield to make room for a new one?
No. You cannot discard a Creature or return it to your hand to free up a spot. Once a Creature is played to your Battlefield it stays there until it is defeated or is removed by a card. The only rearranging you may do is changing your Guard, which swaps the Creature in your front spot with another Creature already on your Battlefield. That changes the order of your Creatures, not how many are in play.
What happens when the deck runs out of cards?
Shuffle the discard pile to make a new deck and keep playing.
A card tells me to draw extra cards and pick one. What happens to the rest?
Always shuffle the extra cards back into the deck.
What if my Battlefield is empty at the start of my turn?
You must play a Creature. If you do not have one in your hand, draw until you get one, then shuffle any non-Creature cards you drew back into the deck.
Can I choose not to attack?
Attacking is required when there is a legal target. If no opponent has a Creature you are able to attack, you skip your Attack step and your turn ends.
Attacking and Damage
How does attacking work in Cube Creatures?
- Choose any one of your Creatures to attack an opponent's Guard.
- Roll the attack die and use the result to change that Creature's Attack Points for this turn.
- Subtract the Attack Points from the Guard's current Health Points.
If the defending Creature drops to zero or fewer Health Points it is defeated and goes into the attacker's Victory Pile.
What does the attack die do?
The six-sided attack die changes your Creature's Attack Points for that one attack:
| Die face | Effect |
|---|---|
| +2 | Add 2 to Attack Points |
| +1 | Add 1 to Attack Points |
| −1 | Subtract 1 from Attack Points |
| −2 | Subtract 2 from Attack Points |
| 2X | Multiply Attack Points by 2 |
| ✖ | Attack misses, no damage dealt |
Example: a Creature with 6 Attack Points rolls +1, giving an adjusted attack of 7.
How many of my Creatures can attack each turn?
One. Choose any single Creature on your Battlefield to make that attack, including your Guard.
What happens if I roll the miss face on the attack die?
Your attack misses and deals no damage. Your turn ends.
What if my attack total ends up at a negative number?
If after the die roll your attack is negative, the attack simply deals no damage.
Do Creatures fight back when they are attacked?
No. Creatures taking damage do not deal damage back. A Creature only attacks on its controller's own turn.
Can a Creature attack twice?
Only if a card or Creature Power says so. When it does, roll the attack die separately for each attack. Stop if the opponent's Creature is defeated on the first attack.
Does leftover damage carry over to the next Creature?
No. Damage does not carry over. Any Attack Points beyond what was needed to defeat a Creature are lost.
Does damage stay on a Creature between turns?
Yes. Damage stays on a Creature until it is defeated, or until it is healed by a card or Creature Power.
How do I track a Creature's Health Points?
Place a Health Point Dial next to the Creature and turn it as its current Health Points change, both from damage and from bonuses.
Which of my opponent's Creatures am I allowed to attack?
Only their Guard, the Creature in their first Battlefield spot, unless a card says otherwise or their Guard has been removed.
In a 3 to 5 player game, can I attack any opponent?
Yes. On your turn you may attack any opponent you choose.
What happens when a Creature is defeated?
Move it to the attacking player's Victory Pile. Any Upgrade cards attached to it go to the discard pile. The first player to collect 5 defeated enemy Creatures wins.
Can a Creature that already used its Creature Power still attack?
Yes. A Creature turned sideways to show it has used its Creature Power can still attack and can still serve as your Guard.
What happens to Upgrades when a Creature is discarded?
When a Battlefield Creature is discarded, move any attached Weapon and Armor Upgrades to the discard pile as well.
Can I target my own Creatures with Action cards or Creature Powers?
Yes. You may target your own Creatures. If doing so defeats one of your own Creatures, move it to the discard pile rather than to anyone's Victory Pile.
The Guard
What is the Guard in Cube Creatures?
The Guard is the Creature in the first spot of your Battlefield. It is the only Creature of yours that opponents can attack, unless a card says otherwise. Always fill the Guard spot first when you play a Creature.
Can my Guard attack?
Yes. Your Guard can attack on your turn just like any other Creature on your Battlefield.
How do I change my Guard?
During your Main Phase you may swap your Guard with any other Creature on your Battlefield. This can be done once per turn.
My Guard was removed or defeated. Can I put a new one in right away?
No. You cannot replace your Guard until your own turn. Until then, opponents may attack any one of your Creatures.
What happens if all of my Creatures are knocked out?
If every Creature on your Battlefield is knocked out, for example by a Reaction card, you cannot be attacked until your next turn, and on that turn you must put a Creature into play. In a 2 player game, if your opponent cannot attack you, play simply moves on to the next turn.
Creature Powers
What is a Creature Power?
A Creature Power is a special ability printed on a Creature card that can be used once per game. Follow the text in the Creature Power section of the card.
Does every Creature have a Creature Power?
No. Not all Creature cards have a Creature Power. If the Creature Power section of a card is blank, that Creature can only attack and defend.
How many times can I use a Creature Power?
Each Creature can use its Creature Power once per game (unless another card resets it). You may use one Creature Power per turn, chosen from any Creature on your Battlefield that has not used its power yet.
How do I show that a Creature Power has been used?
Turn the card sideways, 90 degrees. Keep it turned for the rest of the game, unless another card resets its Creature Power.
How long does a Creature Power last?
Attack boosts and other non-Health effects last only until the end of the turn they were used on. Health Point increases are the exception, and as with all Health Point changes, persist across turns.
Who does a Creature Power affect?
A Creature Power applies to the Creature using it, unless the card text says otherwise.
Upgrade Cards
What do Upgrade cards do?
Upgrade cards are Weapons or Armor that attach underneath one of your Creatures to boost its Attack Points or Health Points. Slide the Upgrade under the Creature to attach it.
How many Upgrades can one Creature have?
A maximum of 1 Weapon and 1 Armor Upgrade per Creature at a time.
Can I move an Upgrade from one Creature to another?
No. Once an Upgrade is attached it stays with that Creature until the Creature is defeated, and is then discarded along with it.
How long do Upgrade card bonuses last?
The bonuses last as long as the Upgrade card stays attached to the Creature.
Do Armor Upgrades raise maximum Health Points?
Yes. An Armor Upgrade increases both a Creature's current Health Points and its maximum Health Points.
How do Shield Upgrade cards work?
A Shield card blocks all damage from one source, one time, no matter the amount, and is then discarded. It is not limited to attacks. A Shield blocks direct damage from Action cards, Reaction cards and Creature Powers just as it blocks damage from an attack. A Shield is a type of Armor Upgrade, so it fills that Creature's one Armor slot.
What happens if an Upgrade that gave Health Points is removed?
The Creature's current Health Points are reduced immediately. If this brings it to zero or below, the Creature is defeated.
Action Cards, Reaction Cards and Healing
What is the difference between an Action card and a Reaction card?
An Action card is played on your own turn for a one-time effect, then discarded. A Reaction card is played on anyone's turn in response to another player's action, then discarded.
When can I play a Reaction card?
On anyone's turn, including your own, in response to another player's action. Follow the card's instructions and then put it in the discard pile.
How many Reaction cards can I play?
As many as you want, on anyone's turn. Reaction cards are not limited the way Main Phase actions are.
Can a Reaction card be countered by another Reaction card?
Yes. Reaction cards can be countered with other Reaction cards, back and forth, for as many cards as the players have.
What is direct damage?
Direct damage is damage dealt by a card effect or a Creature Power rather than by an attack. It does not use the attack die, and it can be aimed at a Creature other than the Guard when the card says so. Direct damage cannot be deflected with a Reaction card, but it can be blocked by a Shield Upgrade card.
Can I deflect any kind of damage with a Reaction card?
No. You can only deflect an actual attack, along with its related bonuses. Direct damage from Action cards or Creature Powers cannot be deflected. A Shield Upgrade card is the way to stop direct damage.
Can a healing card raise a Creature above its maximum Health Points?
If the Creature has an Upgrade card that increased its Health Points, then the healing card can raise up to that new maximum. Otherwise the healing card would take a Creature to its normal maximum Health Points.
3 to 5 Player Games
How does a 3 to 5 player game of Cube Creatures work?
Play follows the same Standard Game rules. Each player has their own Battlefield, everyone draws from the shared deck, and on your turn you may attack any opponent you choose. Since the box includes only 2 playmats extra players can copy the layout on the table.
Is there a friendlier multiplayer variant for younger players?
Yes. In the friendlier variant you may only attack the player to your left. If that player has no Creatures, skip to the next player. This keeps anyone from being ganged up on.
Can we talk about strategy during the game?
Table talk is allowed, but no secrets. Everyone at the table must be able to hear the strategy being discussed, and you should never show another player your cards (unless you're doing a Team Brawl game).
Team Brawl (2 vs 2)
How do you play Cube Creatures 2 vs 2?
Team Brawl is a 4 player variant with two teams of two. Use the Standard Game rules with these changes:
- Each player has their own Battlefield and their own hand. Teammates may look at each other's cards.
- Turns alternate by team: Team A Player 1, then Team B Player 1, then Team A Player 2, then Team B Player 2.
- You may attack either opponent's Guard. You cannot attack your teammate.
- Action cards, Reaction cards, Upgrade cards and Creature Powers can all be used to assist your teammate.
- Defeated enemy Creatures go into a shared Victory Pile for your team.
How do you win Team Brawl?
The first team to defeat 7 Creatures wins. Defeated enemy Creatures are combined into one shared Victory Pile per team.
Can teammates help each other in Team Brawl?
Yes. Reaction cards, Action cards, Upgrade cards and Creature Powers can all be used to assist your teammate, and teammates may look at each other's hands.
Can I attack my teammate in Team Brawl?
No. You may only attack the Guard of a player on the opposing team.
Grandma's Rules
What is Grandma's Rules?
Grandma's Rules is a simplified version of Cube Creatures for beginners and younger kids ages 5 and up. It uses only the Creature cards, and each player controls a single Creature at a time instead of a full Battlefield. It plays in about 10 minutes. The rules were inspired by Porter's grandma.
What do you need to play Grandma's Rules?
- The 30 Creature cards from the deck
- One Health Point Dial per player
- The attack die
The Action, Reaction and Upgrade cards are not used, and neither are the playmats.
How do you play Grandma's Rules?
- Draw and reveal. Each player draws one Creature card from the shared deck and places it face up in front of them.
- Attack. Roll the attack die, modify your Creature's Attack Points using the result, and subtract that total from your opponent's Health Points. Track the remaining health with a Health Point Dial.
- Score. When a Creature reaches zero Health Points it is defeated. The winner puts it into their Victory Pile, and the other player draws a new Creature from the shared deck.
See the full Grandma's Rules for details and examples.
How do you win Grandma's Rules?
Be the first player to defeat 5 Creatures. When your Victory Pile reaches 5, you win.
Do you use Battlefields, Guards or Upgrades in Grandma's Rules?
No. Grandma's Rules has no Battlefield and no Guard. Each player has one Creature in front of them at a time, and Upgrade, Action and Reaction cards are left out of the game entirely.
In a 3 to 5 player game of Grandma's Rules, who can I attack?
You may attack any player you choose on your turn.
Is the attack die used in Grandma's Rules?
Yes. Roll the attack die on every attack and apply the result to your Creature's Attack Points, exactly as in the Standard Game.
Collecting, Deck Building and Drafts
What do the details at the bottom of a Cube Creatures card mean?
The bottom of each card shows collector details: the illustrator's name, the card number, and the rarity icon. The full card list is at cards.cubecreatures.com.
What are the rarity levels in Cube Creatures?
There are four rarity levels: Common, Uncommon, Rare and Ultra-Rare, each shown by a symbol and color at the bottom of the card. We want collecting to be fun, but also stay accessible, so every pack includes at least one Rare or Ultra-Rare card!
Is the artwork hand-drawn?
Yes. Every Cube Creatures card and every piece of game art is 100% hand-drawn. See more about our game art here.
Is there deck building in Cube Creatures?
Yes. Deck building in Cube Creatures is deliberately simple and collaborative, with no need to chase specific cards or build overpowered decks. Open some booster packs, mix and match, and follow two rules. There is a quick guide at deckbuilding.cubecreatures.com.
What are the deck building rules?
- 60 card minimum deck size.
- Half Creature cards, half non-Creature cards (Actions, Reactions and Upgrades).
Are there drafts in Cube Creatures?
Yes. Drafting is a collaborative way to build a shared deck as a group, and works well for beginners. There is a quick guide at draft.cubecreatures.com, including how to draft with 2, 3 or 5 players.
How does a 4 player draft work?
- Each player opens 3 booster packs and puts their cards face up in front of them.
- On your turn, choose one Creature card and one non-Creature card (Action, Reaction or Upgrade) and place both in the center. Stop when everyone has added 8 pairs, or 16 cards, to the center.
Shuffle the 64 card shared deck you built together and play :)
Rules Glossary
Every term used in the Cube Creatures rules, from Attack Points to Victory Pile, is defined on the Rules Glossary page.
Still Have a Question?
Email us at hello@cubecreatures.com. We are happy to help and would love to hear from you.
You can also watch the how to play videos at howtoplay.cubecreatures.com, or read the full Standard Game Rules, Grandma's Rules and Rules Glossary.