
- BGG rating
- 6.6
XenoShyft: Onslaught – 6-Player Add-On
- 1–6 players
- 45 min
- 2015

2015
Rules assistance for XenoShyft: Onslaught
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
XenoShyft: Onslaught is a board game released in 2015 for 1–4 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Michael Shinall and Keren Philosophales and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Cooperative Game, and Open Drafting.
In XenoShyft: Onslaught, a strategic base defense deck-builder, players take on the role of the NorTec Military, charged with defending their base against the onslaught of the alien "Hive". XenoShyft: Onslaught combines classic deck-building and resource management with fast-paced combat and unique "base defense" elements. As the game progresses, each player builds up their deck of Troop, Equipment, and Item cards, which they will in turn use to defend the base against incoming enemies in deadly combat. It is up to the players to work together in order to outlast the horrors awaiting them by coordinating strategy, utilizing the strengths of their unique divisions (Med Bay, Weapons Research, Science Lab, and Armory), and organizing defense tactics to ensure no player is caught off-guard by surprise attacks. XenoShyft: Onslaught is a game of tactical decisions and survival horror — and survival is never guaranteed.
XenoShyft: Onslaught supports 1–4 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 XenoShyft: Onslaught is 30–60 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 XenoShyft: Onslaught for ages 13 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.
XenoShyft: Onslaught has a complexity rating of 2.6 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.
XenoShyft: Onslaught belongs to these categories: Card Game, Horror, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Cooperative Game, and Open Drafting. 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 XenoShyft: Onslaught are: Michael Shinall and Keren Philosophales. 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 XenoShyft: Onslaught 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.