Etherfields

2020 · Exploration

Etherfields

Players cooperate to explore surreal dreamscapes and reconstruct the memories of a group of Dreamers. The game combines exploration, tactical skirmishes, and escape-room–style puzzles that require spotting visual clues and linking disparate bits of information. Campaign play gradually introduces new rules and mechanics, expanding options and changing how earlier systems interact. Multiple decks are customized and evolved over time, affecting both player capabilities and elements of the game world. Sessions emphasize narrative discovery and puzzle solving alongside resource management and tactical decision-making as players piece together identity and purpose within the shared dream.

Players
1–4 best 2
Playing time
90–180 min
Age
12+
Complexity
3.6 / 5
7.5 on Ludoyafrom $137.72AdventureMiniaturesScenario / Mission / Campaign GameDice RollingModular Board

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Shop prices and second-hand copies, checked every day.

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On Ludoya's tables

Full stats in Ludoya
507
Plays logged
108
Players
2h 10m
Average play
92
In collections
19
On wishlists
1
Pre-ordered

7.5/10

from 30 Ludoya reviews

  • Fun6.0
  • Interaction8.0
  • Replayability2.0
  • Uniqueness8.0
  • Looks10.0
  • Accessibility6.0
  • the-fire-archmage-ninja5.0

    It's not a bad game but: - I didn't like the story. I get it that it has to feel dreamy. But I could not connect with any character and I found the story boring. Wishing for the game campaign to end soon. If it wasn't for my friends, I would have abandoned it at the 5th game at most. - It's too grindy. A lot of busy work for the sake of it that doesn't bring any kind of joy or challenge. We skipped a lot of it. Other awaken realm games are much better designed.

  • Jan Solo9.6

    Dungeon Crawler o Dream Crawler muy original. Excelente gestión de mano, originalidad y producción. Impro-Reseña⇒ https://youtu.be/c1hAwLvZ8-Y

  • Jose Guillermo Forero Leon9.0

    A3

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Rules questions

Answered from the rulebook by Ludoya's rules assistant.

Can I play Influence cards or use card actions during the Dreamscape (enemy) phase?

No — you can normally only play Influence cards during the Dreamers Phase; the Dreamscape Phase prevents Dreamer actions unless a card specifically allows it. Cards with the RAPID (→) icon are an exception and may be played at any time, including during the Dreamscape Phase (pg. 8, 9).

How do I pay Intent costs — can I mix different colored Intent or keep excess Intent from a card?

When you discard an Influence or Item card for Intent you must choose which single color it provides and any excess Intent is lost; you may not split a card to pay for multiple colors or keep surplus Intent for other actions, and a card discarded for Intent cannot be used for its printed action (pg. 9).

Do Walls and Blocked spaces stop movement and targeting? Can I move diagonally around them?

Walls and Blocked spaces cannot be moved through or measured through for range, so you must path around them (movement is orthogonal only — no diagonal moves unless a card says otherwise); some partial-wall edges may be open, but gaps between tiles do not disable a Wall (pg. 6–7, 11).

If my Influence deck runs out while drawing, do I reshuffle normally or is there a penalty?

If you must draw and the deck is empty you reshuffle your discard into a new deck but suffer the reshuffle penalty of either 1 Distress OR Sealing 3 cards; reshuffling voluntarily when the deck still had cards causes no penalty (pg. 8).

How do Masks work — can I wear more than one or use their abilities whenever I want?

Each Dreamer may have multiple Masks but may wear only one Active Mask at a time; the Active Mask’s back ability can be used at any time and if it’s ‘Once per Turn’ you may place it on top of your deck as a reminder and remove it at the next Draw step (pg. 13).

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Game facts (players, playing time, age, credits) from BoardGameGeek.