- BGG rating
- 7.4
Rune Stones: Nocturnal Creatures
- 2–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,900
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Rune Stones
2019
Rules assistance for Rune Stones
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 60 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Rune Stones
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Rune Stones is a board game released in 2019 for 2–4 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Rüdiger Dorn and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Dice Rolling.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Rune Stones: Queenie 1 – New Rune Stones
- 2–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2019
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Rune Stones: Enchanted Forest
- 2–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2020
About the game
Rune Stones is a deck-building, hand management game by acclaimed designer Rüdiger Dorn. In Rune Stones, every card has a unique number on it. Two cards are always played together, and the higher numbered card is removed from the player's deck. You have to be careful which cards you buy and how you play them to not lose your best cards. Players will use their cards to gather gems, forge them into Artifacts, then combine those into Rune Stones, which grants a special ability for the rest of the game. The more artifacts used in making a Rune Stone, the more points it scores, so players must decide whether it is best to gain abilities early or save to score more points. On your turn, you may choose from one of three options: 1. Summon Creatures: Take new creature cards from the display by playing the appropriate amount of spell power from cards in your hand. 2. Play Cards: Play two cards from your hand, which will give you resources, new cards, or points. However, every card has a unique number, and the higher numbered card of the two is removed from the game (the other is placed in the player's discard pile). 3. Forge Artifacts: Players spend gems at the 6 different Dwarf forges to make an artifacts. Once they have at least two artifacts of different colors, these may be made into a Rune Stone, which grants a special ability and a significant number of points. The first player to 65 points triggers the end of the game, and then the player with the most points at the end of the round is the winner. —description from the publisher The time has come to find the most powerful druid, that they may claim the throne! Players will take on the role of druids who must prove their skills handling the powerful rune stones. Summon creatures by magic and benefit from their abilities, all in a search to gain precious gems. These gems must go to the talented dwarfs, who know how to use them to make a rune stone. As their collection of artifacts grows, the druid's rune stones become more powerful. Each stone gives the druid a permanent ability (as well as power points). The abilities will aid in acquiring gems and artifacts, and the power points increase the player's chance to claim the coveted throne. The druid with the most power points at the end of the game ascends the throne and is the winner of the game. —description from the back of the box
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Piatnik
- Queen Games
Questions and answers
Rune Stones supports 2–4 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 Rune Stones is 60 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 Rune Stones for ages 10 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.
Rune Stones has a complexity rating of 2.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Rune Stones belongs to these categories: Fantasy. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Dice Rolling. 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 Rune Stones are: Rüdiger Dorn. 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 Rune Stones 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.