“They say” that change is the only constant, and that is never more true than in a game of Fluxx, where rules become more complex (and then less), there’s no way to win (and then there is), actions and creepers keep popping up (and then going away).
Fluxx games are hilarious, quick (or not), easy to learn, and just plain wild and wacky! Fortunately, dozens of versions exist so pick your favorite theme and play away!
Our most recent favorite is this Fantasy version, with characters from our favorite movie (“The Gallant Swordsman” and “The Inconceivably Smart Fellow” . . . ha!) and our favorite archetypal personalities (wizards, dragons, knights, etc.)
Play begins with The Basic Rules: Draw 1 and Play 1.
Each turn, players do those two things until someone plays a New Rule card that replaces one or both of the basic rules. Some rule cards, for example, give players a free action, impose a keeper limit of 3, require playing all cards in your hand but 1, imposing a hand limit of 1, etc. Players must follow all rules in play at the time of their turn.
Eventually a player will play a pink goal card, which lists the conditions required for a player to win the game. Goal cards list usually 2 Keeper cards. The first player to have those two keeper cards played in front of them when that Goal card is in play (before it gets replaced by a new goal card) wins the game!
Creeper cards attach to played Keeper cards and usually prevent you from winning.
Other special cards include Actions and Surprises.
To play an action card, do whatever it says and then discard it. For example:
- trade hands with another player
- draw and play 2 extra cards
- shuffle all the keeper/creeper cards on the table and re-deal them
- trash something
- discard your entire hand and then replace it with new cards
Surprise cards are similar to action cards but they can be played at any time, even out of turn.
Each Fluxx deck has wonderful illustrations, nice thick cards, bright colors, and a nice variety of new rule, action, and surprise cards. Each version is unique even though it follows the basic Fluxx rules.
Fluxx games are great for gameschooling because they require lots of reading! Some of the versions (Human Anatomy) include opportunities to draw extra cards for answering trivia questions on the card correctly. Players must learn to collaborate, be flexible, make quick decisions, and play strategically, all excellent skills to target with gameschooling!
Thanks to Looney Labs for sharing this favorite Fluxx deck with us!
