Kardashev Scale ****

🎲 Core Details

• Players: 2–6

• Playtime: ~30 minutes

• Age: 12+

• Designers: Stephen Avery & Eugene Bryant (The Opinionated Gamers)

• Publisher: WizKids

• Style: Card game + light strategy / engine building

🧠 How It Plays

You’re competing alien civilizations trying to climb the Kardashev Scale (basically becoming the most advanced species).

🔄 Turn Structure (Simple but clever)

1. Everyone secretly picks an action using a dial

2. Reveal at the same time

3. Resolve using a rock-paper-scissors system:

   • Conflict beats Research

   • Research beats Trade

   • Trade beats Conflict (Meeple Mountain)

👉 Beat neighbors = more resources
👉 Lose = get nothing

🧩 What You’re Building

• Spend resources to buy Advancement cards

• Build a pyramid engine:

  • Bottom = Planetary tech

  • Middle = Stellar tech

  • Top = Galactic tech (Meeple Mountain)

First to reach the highest level (or most points) wins.

⚙️ Game Feel

• Light-medium weight

• Simultaneous play (low downtime = great for groups)

• Mix of:

  • Engine building

  • Bluffing / prediction

  • Tactical interaction

Think:
👉 7 Wonders meets rock-paper-scissors in space