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Unstable Unicorns
Magic & Mayhem at its Finest
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Introduction
Released in 2017, Unstable Unicorns is truly a staple of the Unstable Games company. Betray your friends in this chaotic strategic card game; players will take turns drawing and using cards to build a stable of unicorns. Collect upgrades to enhance your stable, or play a downgrade on your enemies to make their lives that more inconvenient - or, turn the tables with a magic card for some added chaos. The first player to collect an army of seven unicorns wins! But beware of the neigh card...
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How to Play
Unstable Unicorns is a fairly easy-to-learn card game. To start, have everyone playing select a baby unicorn to begin the game with. Any leftover baby unicorns will then create their own "nursery" deck. If a baby unicorn were to be destroyed, return it to the nursery instead of the main deck. Shuffle the main deck (including any expansions you wish to use), and place it at the centre of the table in reach of all players. Have room beside it for a discard pile. Deal five cards to each player from the main deck. The nursery will go nearby the main deck. You are now ready to play unstable unicorns!
Begin your turn by satisfying any "if this card is in your stable at the beginning of your turn" card effects. These effects will be listed on the bottom of a card in your stable (unicorns, upgrades, and/or downgrades). Once this is complete, draw a card. Then, play a card (only cards in your stable take effect), or, if you don't like any of the cards in your hand, draw again. Once you've drawn a card and taken an action (played a card or drawn a second), you must discard cards IF your hand exceeds the limit of seven cards. If you have equal to or less than seven cards, skip the discard phase. The person to your left will go next.
Terms & Actions
There some important and unique game terms within Unstable Unicorns, which can get confusing. While these terms ARE listed on your reference card, here is a coherent list:
DRAW: Take the top card of the main deck and add it to your hand.
DISCARD: Choose a card from your hand and move it to the discard pile.
SACRIFICE: Move a unicorn/downgrade/upgrade card from YOUR stable to the discard pile.
DESTROY: Move a unicorn/downgrade/upgrade card from ANOTHER PLAYER'S stable to the discard pile.
STEAL: Move a card from another player's stable to your stable.
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Base Games & Expansions
There are MANY base games and expansions within the Unstable Unicorns universe! Below is a comprehensive list of all base games and their appropriate information, plus expansions!
Games
- Original Unstable Unicorns Base Deck (8+, 2-8 players)(2017)
- Chaos Base Deck (14+, 2-8 players)(2019)
- Control Base Deck (14+, 2-8 players)(2019)
- NSFW Edition Base Game (21+, 2-8 players)(2019)
- Travel Deck (14+, 2-8 players)(2020)
- Unstable Unicorns for Kids Base Deck (6+, 2-6 players)(2021)
- Diamond Edition (14+, 2-8 players)(2024)
- NSFW Expansion Pack (2017)
- Rainbow Apocalypse Expansion Pack (2018)
- Dragons Expansion Pack (2018)
- Unicorns of Legend Expansion Pack (2018)
- Adventures Expansion Pack (2018)
- Christmas Expansion Pack (2020)
- Nightmares Expansion Pack (2021)
Opinions & Overall Review
Unstable Unicorns is an iconic game iconic to an iconic company. This card game, at its core, relies on relatively simple and somewhat repetitive mechanics, but what truly elevates it is the sheer variety introduced through its many expansions and ever-changing card combinations. No two games ever feel quite the same; each round unfolds differently depending on the cards drawn and the strategies players choose to pursue. Because of this, the game manages to stay fresh and engaging even after countless sessions. The unpredictability adds a layer of excitement that keeps everyone at the table invested from start to finish.
Personally, I find this game incredibly amusing and endlessly re-playable. It has easily become my go-to choice for game nights, especially when I’m with a larger group of friends. It strikes that perfect balance between being easy to learn and offering enough depth to keep things interesting, making it accessible for newcomers while still enjoyable for experienced players. The social aspect is a huge part of its charm as well - there’s always laughter, playful competition, and memorable moments shared around the table.
The artwork deserves a special mention, as it adds a lot of personality to the game. The illustrations are charming, expressive, and often downright hilarious. Some cards, in particular, never fail to get a genuine laugh out of me and my friends, no matter how many times we’ve seen them. These small touches of humor and creativity really enhance the overall experience and make the game feel lively and unique.
What I love most, though, is how the abilities and card combinations open the door to endless possibilities. There’s always a new strategy to try or an unexpected interaction to discover, which keeps the gameplay feeling dynamic and rewarding. Every session feels like an opportunity to experiment and outsmart your opponents in new and creative ways.
I still remember the first time I played this game - it was with my boss at the toy store where I work. What started as a casual introduction quickly turned into one of those standout moments that sticks with you. It’s become a core memory for me, not just because of the game itself, but because of the experience and the connection it created. Since then, it’s been a staple in my collection and something I’m always excited to share with others.
RE-PLAYABILITY RATING: 6.2/10
CONTENT RATING: 8.4/10
COMPLEXITY RATING: 1.9/10
FINAL RATING: 7.9 / 10
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