Spirit Island is a cooperative board game where players take on the roles of powerful spirits defending their island from colonizing invaders. Here are the basic rules of the game:

Components:

• 1 island board per player (double-sided)
• 8 spirit panels
• 4 invader boards
• 30 invader cards (3 decks: Stage I, Stage II, Stage III)
• 20 fear cards
• 15 blight cards
• 12 scenario cards
• 22 adversary cards
• 32 major power cards
• 48 minor power cards
• 32 fear markers
• 16 blight tokens
• 80 Dahan tokens
• 40 explorer tokens
• 40 town tokens
• 32 city tokens
• 8 reminder tokens
• Energy tokens
• Various presence tokens
• Rulebook

Setup for Spirit Island:

1. Place the island boards in the center to form the game board. The number of boards depends on the number of players.
2. Each player chooses a spirit and takes the corresponding spirit panel, presence tokens, and starting cards.
3. Place the invader board nearby and shuffle the invader cards into three separate decks (Stage I, II, III).
4. Shuffle and place the fear, blight, major power, and minor power decks.
5. Set up the initial invaders, blight, and Dahan on the island boards as instructed in the setup guide.
6. Place the fear markers on the fear card track.
7. Choose a scenario and/or adversary if desired for added challenge.

Objective:

The goal is to collectively repel the invaders by generating fear and ultimately driving them off the island. Players win if they meet the victory conditions on the fear cards or by eliminating all invaders.

Spirit Island Gameplay:

1. Spirit Phase:
Growth: Each spirit chooses one of their growth options to reclaim cards, gain energy, place presence, or gain power cards.

Gain Energy: Each spirit gains energy based on their energy track.

Play and Pay for Power Cards: Spirits play power cards from their hand, paying the required energy cost.

2. Invader Phase:
Blighted Island: If the island is blighted, resolve the blight card effects.

Fear Effects: Resolve any earned fear cards, generating fear and triggering effects.

Invader Actions:
I. Ravage: Invaders damage the land and Dahan fight back.

II. Build: Invaders construct towns and cities.

III. Explore: New invaders explore the island, adding explorers.

3.Spirit Actions:
Fast Powers: Spirits resolve their fast power cards and innate abilities before the invaders act.

Invader Actions: Invaders resolve ravage, build, and explore steps as outlined above.

Slow Powers: Spirits resolve their slow power cards and innate abilities after the invaders act.

4. Time Passes:
Discard used power cards.

Regenerate any spent presence and tokens.

Winning the Game:

• Win by achieving the victory conditions on the fear cards or by removing all invaders from the island.

Losing the Game:

• Lose if any spirit is entirely removed from the island.
• Lose if the island becomes too blighted.
• Lose if the invaders overrun the island (by depleting the invader deck).

Special Rules:

• Fear Cards: Generate fear by destroying invaders and meeting other card effects to earn fear cards, which provide powerful effects and move the game toward victory.
• Blight: Blight represents environmental damage. Too much blight can lead to losing the game.
• Adversaries and Scenarios: These optional elements add unique challenges and variability to the game.

Optional Rules:

• Increased Difficulty: Use adversary cards to add tougher invader actions.
• Custom Scenarios: Add specific scenario cards for different challenges and objectives.
• Advanced Play: Use more complex spirits and powers for a deeper strategic experience.

These rules provide a basic framework for playing Spirit Island, making it an engaging and strategic cooperative game. The excitement of Spirit Island comes from the unique powers of each spirit, the escalating threat of the invaders, and the collaborative strategy needed to protect the island.