- BGG rank
- BGG #1,236
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Herbaceous
- 1–4 players
- 15–20 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #17,475
- BGG rating
- 6.5
GemPacked Cards
2015
Rules assistance for GemPacked Cards
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- 6+
- Complexity 1.4/5
Rules assistant for GemPacked Cards
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
GemPacked Cards is a board game released in 2015 for 2–5 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Eduardo Baraf and its main mechanics are Set Collection and Pattern Building.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,272
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Floriferous
- 1–4 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,615
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Sunset Over Water
- 1–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,562
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Delicious
- 1–100 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,533
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Sunrise at the Studio
- 1–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,946
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Murder of Crows
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,595
- BGG rating
- 7.1
The Whatnot Cabinet
- 1–4 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,871
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Herbaceous Sprouts
- 1–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,308
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Heroes Welcome
- 2–5 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,802
- BGG rating
- 7.1
The Siblings Trouble
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #29,050
- BGG rating
- 5.4
Heroes and Tricks
- 2–6 players
- 15–25 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,244
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Hens
- 1–4 players
- 15–20 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2023
About the game
GemPacked Cards is a gem-crafting, color-blending card game for 2-5 players based on the GemPacked iOS puzzle game. During each round, players use the Gemino Pip Tokens they draw to try to acquire higher level Gemino Squares and Gemino Diamonds (worth victory points) or trade for Sun or Nova cards. All cards are played face up. When the last Gemino Pip Tokens are drawn from the starting pile, each player has one remaining turn before the round ends and players tally their score. In more detail, at the start of a turn, a player draws two Gemino Pip Tokens, then takes any of the following actions in any order and as many times as they like: Trade GPips for GSquares on the card grid (placing pips in the common pool) Trade GSquares for GDiamond on the card grid (placing cards in the discard pile) Discard GSquares for GPip equivalents from the common pool (placing discards in the discard pile) Trade GPips for the Sun card or GSquares for the Nova card At the end of their turn, the player refills the card grid from the draw deck one at a time. If they reveal any Action Cards, those cards are resolved immediately, starting with the active player, then moving clockwise around the table. After the last Gemino Pip Token is drawn and the final player has a turn, players score their hands as well as Sun/Nova points. (GPips are not worth any points, but should be tracked each round as a tie breaker.) Whoever has the most points wins.
Editions
- GemPacked CardsenPencil First Games, LLC2015
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Pencil First Games, LLC
Questions and answers
GemPacked Cards supports 2–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for GemPacked Cards is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists GemPacked Cards for ages 6 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
GemPacked Cards has a complexity rating of 1.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
GemPacked Cards belongs to these categories: Card Game, Video Game Theme, and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and Pattern Building. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of GemPacked Cards are: Eduardo Baraf. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists GemPacked Cards as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.