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Official Shady Pets Rules

"Shady Pets" is a fast-paced, strategic card game where players use deduction and luck to figure out the identity of hidden pets. Here’s how to play:

Objective

The objective of Shady Pets is to correctly guess the hidden pet cards by using deduction and strategic play. The first player to correctly guess the hidden pets wins the game.

Setup

3. Draw Piles:Place the remaining pet cards in a draw pile. Place the remaining action cards in a separate draw pile.

1. Players: Shady Pets can be played with 2 to 5 players.


2. Deal Cards:Shuffle the pet cards and action cards separately. Deal 3 pet cards face down to the center of the table as the hidden pets. Deal 5 pet cards to each player. Deal 3 action cards to each player.

Gameplay

  1. Starting the Game:

    • Choose a starting player by any preferred method (e.g., youngest player, highest card draw).

    • Play proceeds clockwise.

  2. Player Turn:

    • Draw Phase: At the beginning of your turn, draw one action card.

    • Play Phase: Play one action card from your hand and follow its instructions.

      • Peek: Look at one of the hidden pet cards.

      • Swap: Swap one of your pet cards with another player.

      • Steal: Steal a pet card from another player.

      • Reveal: Reveal one of your pet cards to all players.

      • Block: Block another player's action (can be played out of turn).

    • Guessing the Hidden Pets: At any point during your turn, you can make a guess about the identities of the hidden pets. If you guess correctly, you win the game.

  3. Deduction and Note-taking:

    • Use the information gained from action cards and revealed pet cards to deduce the identities of the hidden pets.

    • Take notes to keep track of the clues and information you gather throughout the game.

Winning the Game

  • The game continues until a player correctly guesses the identities of all three hidden pets.

  • The first player to make a correct guess wins the game.

  • If a player makes an incorrect guess, they are out of the game, and play continues with the remaining players.

Strategy Tips

  • Use Action Cards Wisely: Plan your actions strategically to gather the most information while disrupting your opponents’ plans.

  • Pay Attention to Reveals: Keep a close eye on the pets that are revealed and use that information to narrow down the possible identities of the hidden pets.

  • Take Detailed Notes: Use the notepad to track the information you gather from your actions and other players’ reveals.

Shady Pets is an engaging and strategic deduction game that challenges players to outsmart their opponents by using clues and strategic actions to reveal the identities of hidden pets. The combination of luck, strategy, and deduction makes it a fun and dynamic game for players of all ages.

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