If you’re new to cooperative deck-building games, Aeon’s End offers a thrilling challenge where teamwork and strategy determine humanity’s survival. Unlike traditional card games, this title eliminates luck-based elements like shuffling, forcing players to carefully plan every move. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to master the game’s mechanics, outthink terrifying nemeses, and protect the last bastion of civilization: Gravehold.
Understanding Aeon’s End Components
Before diving into gameplay, familiarize yourself with these key elements:
- Mage Boards: Each player controls a unique mage with special abilities, health, and starting deck
- Market Cards: Contains 9 slots for Gems (resources), Spells (attacks), Relics (persistent upgrades), and Allies
- Nemesis Deck: The enemy’s attack cards and special powers that escalate in difficulty
- Tokens: Track health, charges, and various game effects using focus, destruction, and power tokens
Game Setup: Preparing for Battle
Step 1: Choose Your Mage
Select from characters like Brama the Necromancer or Xaxos the Voidbringer. Each mage has:
- Unique starting deck composition
- Special ability (Ex: +1 damage to opened breaches)
- 4 breaches for spell placement
Step 2: Build the Market
Randomly select cards to fill the 9 market slots:
- 3 Gems (Spark, Ruby Cluster)
- 3 Spells (Conflagration, Arcane Nexus)
- 3 Relics/Allies (Amplify Vision, Blasting Staff)
Step 3: Prepare Nemesis Components
Based on your chosen adversary (Crooked Mask, Rageborne):
- Assemble tiered nemesis deck
- Set difficulty tokens
- Place turn order tracker
Core Gameplay Mechanics
Turn Structure Breakdown
Each round consists of 5 phases:
- Cast Spells: Resolve prepared spells in any open breaches
- Play Cards: Use gems for energy, relics for persistent effects
- Buy Cards: Purchase from market using earned energy
- Discard: Place used cards in personal discard pile (no shuffling!)
- Draw: Collect 5 new cards from deck
Managing the Nemesis
After all players take turns, resolve these nemesis actions:
- Reveal and resolve the top nemesis card
- Activate persistent powers
- Advance the turn order tracker
7 Essential Strategies for New Players
1. Economy Before Firepower
Prioritize buying Gem cards in early turns. A strong energy base lets you purchase powerful spells later.
2. Breach Management
Focus on opening 1-2 breaches quickly. Spells require open breaches to cast, so balance upgrades with immediate threats.
3. Coordinate Roles
Assign team roles: One player focuses on healing/defense while others build damage-dealing capabilities.
4. Track Nemesis Patterns
Study the nemesis deck composition. If facing a minion-heavy opponent, prioritize area-of-effect spells.
5. Discard Pile Strategy
Since decks aren’t shuffled, sequence powerful cards by timing your discards strategically.
6. Timing Unleash Effects
Save powerful abilities for when the nemesis’ tier 3 cards appear, typically the game’s most dangerous phase.
7. Health as Resource
Don’t fear losing life early if it means setting up critical combos. Gravehold’s health is more vital than individual mages’.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbuying Spells: You can’t cast them without open breaches
- Ignoring Turn Order: The sequence tracker determines when nemesis acts
- Hoarding Cards: Cycle your deck frequently to access new purchases
- Underestimating Minions: Letting them accumulate triggers devastating effects
Advanced Tactics for Consistent Wins
Once comfortable with basics, try these pro techniques:
- Breach Cycling: Open/close breaches strategically to manipulate spell timing
- Market Denial: Buy key cards to block nemesis-specific market interactions
- Charge Stacking: Combine multiple mages’ charge abilities for explosive turns
- Predictive Discarding: Position essential cards 4-5 turns ahead in your deck
Conclusion: Mastering the Endless War
Aeon’s End rewards careful planning and adaptability. Remember these key takeaways:
- Communication is your strongest weapon
- Every nemesis requires tailored strategies
- Deck order management separates novices from experts
With 20+ nemeses and endless market combinations in the base game alone, each session offers fresh challenges. Gather your team, study Gravehold’s defenses, and prepare to write your own legend in the Eternal War.