Titans: your father, Uranus, imprisoned you in Tartarus, but still you dreamt of a world where hatred and fury no longer exist... Thanks to your mother, Gaia, you managed to get free and gather enough strength to create an ideal world on the opposite side of the cosmos. Still weak, and with little time at your disposal, you hope to prove your wisdom to your father. But beware of his anger and of your brothers: The Cyclopes and the Hekatonkheires!
1. Object of the Game
2. Game Materials
KRÉO is a cooperative game. All players belong to the same team and share a common objective. Either all players win or all players lose.
- 15 Energy tokens
- 42 Universe cards
26 Element cards 6 Water 6 Fire
Your goal is to create a world that is as balanced as possible. In order to do this, you will play NATURE cards and match them with ELEMENT cards to unlock new possibilities, until you are able to create your world.
6 Earth
2 Aether
6 Air
11 Nature cards 5 Aggression cards 3 Thunderbolts 1 The Hekatonkheires 1 Storm of Uranus
- 13 other cards
1 First Player Card 6 Player aid cards 6 Titan Cards (for Advanced Mode)
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3. Setting Up the Game
The player with the PLANET CARD in their hand takes the FIRST PLAYER card and places it in front of them. Place the ENERGY tokens in the middle of the table. These tokens are the common Energy Reserve for all players.
Prepare the Universe card deck and a number of ENERGY tokens according to the number of players: 3p.
3 Energy tokens and 36 Universe cards. -Remove the 2 Aether cards -Remove 1 Fire, Air, Earth and Water card
4p.
7 Energy tokens and 40 Universe cards. -Remove the 2 Aether cards
5p.
11 Energy tokens and 40 Universe cards. -Remove 1 Aether card and 1 Thunderbolts
6p.
15 Energy tokens and 42 Universe cards. (Use all the cards)
Starting with the First Player and going to the left, each player takes as many Energy tokens as they wish. You cannot consult each other while doing this! The last player takes all the remaining tokens. You may choose to take all the tokens from the Reserve, but if you do the following players will not get any.
If this is your first time playing a three- to five-player game, remove the Storm of Uranus Aggression card from the Universe deck and replace it with one Aether card. Return the unused cards and tokens to the box. Shuffle the Universe cards and deal them equally to the players. The players then check their own cards. From this moment on, the players are not allowed to share information unless they spend ENERGY tokens. (see “Energy Tokens” on page 10).
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4. The Game Turn
Each turn is composed of Divination and then Creation.
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Note: You may only reveal your card after the previous player has revealed and either played or discarded their card.
Phases:
4.1. Divination Phase
4.3. End of the turn
In this phase, each player secretly chooses one card from their hand and places it face down in front of them. You cannot consult each other while doing this. But, you may spend ENERGY tokens to share information or exchange cards (see “Energy Tokens” on page 10). You may also discard one NATURE or ELEMENT card to take one ENERGY token from the Reserve (if available). Once all players have picked their card, this phase ends.
Once all players have revealed and played their cards, the First Player gives the FIRST PLAYER card to the player to their left and a new turn begins.
4.4. End of the Game
The game ends when all players have used all the cards in their hand or the PLANET card is complete. Note:
4.2. Creation Phase
It is possible that you will have no cards in hand. In this case, you will have to wait until the end of the game in silence.
Starting with the First Player and going to the left, each player reveals their card and tries to play it:
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If you played a NATURE or ELEMENT card and the Creation Process allows it, put your card into play. (see “Universe Cards” on page 5). If the Creation Process does not allow the play, discard your card (that card is lost). If you played an Aggression card, immediately apply its effects.
You may examine the discarded cards at any time. Once a card is put into play it remains in the game unless an Aggression card discards it.
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5. Universe cards
Important: When you put a Nature card into play, take one Energy token from the Reserve (if available).
5.1 Nature cards
There are four levels of NATURE cards. These levels progressively lead to the creation of the Planet. Each NATURE card requires certain conditions to be met before it may put it into play. (see the next page) The players then have to match the NATURE cards with ELEMENT cards in order to unlock the next level of NATURE cards. The following table shows the creation process that gives birth to the planet:
A Nature card is Complete when it has all the required Element cards. On the other hand, as long as it does not have all the required Element cards, it is Incomplete.
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Level III
Warning: Each Nature card is unique. Discarding even one makes it impossible to create the planet using that particular path of the creation process...unless you manage to get it back! (see “Energy Tokens” on page 10) Level I
Level II
Level I NATURE cards are the only ones that you may put into play with no requirements. Each Complete Level I NATURE card allows the players to play two Level II NATURE cards.
In order to play a Level III NATURE card, the players must first complete the two Level II cards that lead to it. Any pair of Complete Level III NATURE cards allows you to play the Level IV NATURE card Planet.
Level IV There is only one Level IV NATURE card: THE PLANET. The players must complete at least two of the four Level III NATURE cards before they can play it.
In order to play a Level II NATURE card, the players must first complete the Level I card that leads to it. Two Complete Level II NATURE cards unlock the possibility to play a Level III NATURE card.
Hint: You do not need to play all the Level III Nature cards to play the Planet. Two are enough. Attempting to play as many Level III cards as possible is not wise: The best strategy consists in focusing on the most efficient path!.
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5.2 Element cards
In order to identify the chosen ELEMENT, place the Aether card under the NATURE card so that the symbol of the chosen Element is visible.
There are four different ELEMENT cards (Fire, Air, Earth,Water) plus the Aether cards. You can only play an ELEMENT card on a matching NATURE card that is already in play. Place the ELEMENT card partially under the NATURE card so that the symbol of the ELEMENT is visible. In this way, the NATURE card “acquires” the ELEMENT card.
Similarly, you may play a Nature card to replace an Element shown on that card. You must announce the Element it is going to replace, and once played it cannot be changed. In order to identify the chosen Element, use the back of the Nature card as if it was an Aether card.
Here, the Nature card Atmosphere requires the Elements Air and Water to become Complete. Since it has already acquired a Water card, the players need to play an Air card to complete it. Aether cards are wild cards which may be played as any other ELEMENT. When you play an Aether card, you must declare which Element the Aether is going to replace. Once played, it cannot be changed.
When a Nature card is played in this way, it still remains a Nature card and cannot be destroyed by Aggression cards.
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There are three kinds of Aggression cards : Thunderbolts (3 copies) Discard one Element card from an Incomplete Nature card. If there is no Element card to discard, the Lightning has no effect. For example, if the Nature card Bird is played as a wild, it may be used as an Air, Fire, or Earth card (it cannot be Water, since this Element does not appear on the Bird card).
The Storm of Uranus (1 copy) Discard all Element cards from all Incomplete Nature cards. If no card is discarded in this way, the player who played the Storm takes it back in hand and discards one Nature or Element card of their choice.
5.3 Aggression Cards
AGGRESSION cards represent the rage of Uranus and have negative effects during the game. You should play them when they will do as little damage as possible.
The Hekatonkheires (1 copy) Whenever an Element or Aggression card is put into play, discard it. This effect lasts until a Nature card is played. The Nature card is put into play as normal. The effect of this card may go on for multiple turns.
Important : You cannot play Aggression cards during the first or last turn! Otherwise the players lose the game immediately! Likewise, if the Planet is complete but any player still has an Aggression card (in hand or face down), the players lose!
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6. Energy Tokens
The immensity of the Universe prevents the Titans from talking to each other. During the game, the players cannot share any information regarding the cards in their hand or their intentions to play them, unless they spend ENERGY tokens to use one of the powers described below. You may spend ENERGY tokens to activate these powers during the Divination Phase: 1 Energy Token Show one player one card from your hand. 2 Energy Tokens Exchange one card from your hand with another player. The two cards remain face down during the exchange, which takes place simultaneously: The two players involved in the exchange must choose the card to exchange before they get to know the card they will receive.
Each power “consumes” the required number of ENERGY tokens, which are returned to the Energy Reserve.
Gaining Energy Tokens :
You gain Energy tokens from the reserve : During the Divination Phase, if you discard a Nature or Element card. During the Creation Phase, when you successfully play a Nature card (even if the card was used as a replacement for an Element card).
Note : You may activate as many powers as you wish, as long as you have enough Energy tokens. If the Energy Reserve is empty, you cannot gain any Energy tokens. You may choose not to take an Energy token you have earned in order to leave it in the Energy Reserve.
3 Energy Tokens Exchange one Element or Nature card from your hand for a discarded card.
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7. Winning Conditions Your team has managed to create the ideal world? It is time for Uranus to judge... The Planet card is in the game but it only has two or three Element cards
Not bad. Your planet may sustain life. It’s not a complete success, though, since a God should not be satisfied with the bare minimum result.
The Planet card was not put into play
The Planet card is complete
There is a new barren asteroid in the cosmos... Hopefully this experience has taught you something for your next attempt. Of course, Uranus won’t be happy about this…
Uranus acknowledges your gifts and allows you to dwell in this part of the Cosmos.
Congratulations! You did it! Your planet is a success.
The game ends in a critical defeat.
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The Planet card is complete and each player still has at least two cards on the table or in hand
The Planet card is in the game but it only has one Element card
That was so close!
Amazing! Your planet is an example of perfection!
The planet you created is unstable. It cannot sustain life and it will disintegrate soon. Let’s hope Uranus doesn’t learn about this…
Your father Uranus admires your creation and asks you to create a new galaxy. Your team has proven its worth. You’re ready to face the challenges of the advanced game.
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8. Advanced Modes
Here are three ways to make the game more challenging. Pick one (or more!) once your team has mastered all the game mechanics!
8.1. Incarnation Mode
Each player represents a Titan with a specific power. But beware: every Titan has a specific role to fill!
At the beginning of the game, each player draws one TITAN card. Each TITAN card has two faces (male and female), each with a different power. During the distribution of ENERGY tokens, you must choose one and place your card in front of you. (see “Setting Up the Game” on page 3)
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Your power may only be used a limited number of times during the game. This amount is displayed in the top left corner of the card. The parchment in the lower part of the card shows which phase you may activate your power. Each time you use your power, rotate your TITAN card 90 degrees as a reminder of the number of times it has been used. Restrictions : Male Titans cannot play Level II Nature cards (this includes replacing an ELEMENT card with a NATURE card). If a Male Titan plays a Level II Nature card, discard it immediately Female Titans cannot play Level III Nature cards (this includes replacing an ELEMENT card with a NATURE card). If a Female Titan plays a Level III Nature card, discard it immediately. These restrictions are applied for the entire game. Refer to the table on page 14 for a list of all the powers of Male and Female Titans.
8.2. Altered Elements Mode
8.3. Silent Game Mode
Uranus knows the Titans have escaped and decides to alter the quality of some Elements. You will have to create your Planet with these altered Elements! Some ELEMENT cards have special effects when played: Disturbing Element (1 copy per element)
Kreo requires a lot of deduction, intuition, and trust among the players. Even though you are not allowed to talk about the cards in your hand or you’re about to play, you will often feel tempted to give some hints with your comments or to think out loud. That’s why, to play the game in the best possible way, you should be completely silent!
Volatile Element
Credits
When you play a Disturbing Element, move the First Player card so it is in front of the next player to your left. (1 copy per element)
SWEET GAMES EDITION A game by Julien Prothière Illustrated by Tom Prothière & Yann Andrieu Designed by Benjamin Treilhou
Discard any Volatile Element that is still under an Incomplete Nature card at the end of the current game turn.
COOL MINI OR NOT EDITION Translation by Fulvio Cattaneo Rules Editing by William Niebling Graphic Design by Benjamin Treilhou Produced by Thiago Aranha, Guilherme Goulart, Carolina Negrão and Sergio Roma Publisher David Preti
Complementary Element (1 copy per element)
You can only play a Complementary Element immediately following another Element card. Otherwise, the Complementary Element is discarded. A Complementary Element cannot be played after a Nature card used to replace an Element card. If a Complementary Element is the first card played during a game turn, check the last card played in the previous game turn.
Special Thanks to:
Aurélie, Nils, Simao, and Anouk Prothière, for their kindness towards me when I was busy thinking about the creation of the planet. Through this process of creation, I think I really understood the meaning of the maxim: “Together, you go further.”
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Powers of Male & Female Titans
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