Last Updated on July 31, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Step into a shadowy, captivating world and engage in an intense battle of wits in this 2-4 player, turn-based competitive strategy tabletop game. Throughout the game, you’ll collect Resources, acquire new Spells, summon a powerful Companion, and tap into your Shadow Form as you strive to become the Ultimate Shadow Caster. The ultimate goal: to outlast all your opponents and emerge as the last player standing, crowned the winner!

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How to Play Casting Shadows

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WHAT’S IN THE BOX

• 7 Hex Tiles
• 4 Double-Sided Player Boards
• Counterspell Deck (10 cards)
• Companion Deck (10 cards)
• Main Deck (52 cards)
• Hex Tile Reference Sheet
• 13 Resource Tokens
• 5 Resource Dice
• 4 Meeples
• 4 Reference Cards

HOW TO START

Each player begins by selecting a Character, which comes with a Player Board and a corresponding Meeple. Set your HP Tracker to 18 and your Shadow Tracker to 0 Shadow Energy. Place your Player Board with the Base Form face-up (with the HP Tracker on the right side). Leave space on your Player Board for your Spell Book, where you will store Spell, Counterspell, and Resource cards as the game progresses. Each player may also take a reference card.

Now, set up the Map:

• Start with the Ancient Rune Hex tile placed at the center.
• Place the Dusty Desert and Underground Volcano Hex tiles on opposite sides of the Ancient Rune Hex tile.
• Each player places their Home Hex tile as indicated in the game rules.

The youngest player is Player 1, with the next players seated clockwise.

After setting up the Map, place your Meeple on your Home Hex tile. Shuffle the Counterspell deck and place it face down next to the Dusty Desert Hex tile. Shuffle the Main deck and place one card face-up next to each adjacent Hex tile around the Ancient Rune Hex tile (except for the Dusty Desert Hex tile). Place the remaining cards face down near the play area.

Shuffle the Companion deck, place it face down, and reveal the top 3 cards to create the Companion Portal. This is where you’ll summon your Companion.

Place all tokens and dice near the play area within reach of all players.

Once everything is set up, the game can begin! Player 1 starts, and gameplay proceeds clockwise.

HOW TO PLAY CASTING SHADOWS

Your turn is divided into 3 phases:

Phase 1: Resource Pool

• Roll the 5 Resource dice to determine the available Resources for your turn.
• If you start your turn on a Hex tile that provides a specific Resource, add the corresponding Resource token to your Resource Pool.

Phase 2: Actions

You have 4 Action points to spend in this phase. Each Action costs 1 Action point, and you can perform the Actions in any order. You can perform the same Action multiple times during your turn if you still have Action points. Unused Action points do not carry over.

Actions include:

• Travel: Move to an adjacent Hex tile.
• Cast: Use a Spell card from your Spell Book by spending the required Resources.
• Reroll: Re-roll any number of Resource dice (except Cursed Crystals).
• Protect: Remove 1 Cursed Crystal from your Resource Pool to avoid taking damage.
• Refresh: Replace the card on your current Hex tile with the top card from the Main deck.
• Collect: Move a Spell, Counterspell, or Resource card to your Spell Book by spending the necessary Resources.

Phase 3: Shadow Absorption

• Absorb any remaining Shadow Fragments in your Resource Pool, increasing your Shadow Tracker by the corresponding amount.
• If you’ve absorbed enough Shadow Energy and are in your Base Form, you may transform into Shadow Form (see Shadow Form for more details).

Before ending your turn, take damage (DMG) equal to the number of Cursed Crystals remaining in your Resource Pool, then remove them. Finally, discard any unspent Resources from your Resource Pool.

The next player then starts their turn.

HOW TO WIN CASTING SHADOWS

The game ends when only one player remains standing. Will you eliminate all your enemies and seize victory, or will you be left in the shadows?

RESOURCES

Resources are key to progressing in the game, allowing you to collect Spells and cast powerful abilities. Each turn, roll the 5 Resource dice to create your Resource Pool.

The four main Resource types are:

• Gems
• Orbs
• Shadow Fragments
• Cursed Crystals

Resources come in different colors: Red, Blue, and Purple. Purple Gems and Orbs can be used as either Red or Blue, offering flexibility. Some spells may require you to spend specific combinations of Resources, so managing your Resource Pool is essential for success.

PLAYER BOARDS

Your Player Board has two sides: one for your Base Form and one for your Shadow Form. Both sides include wheels for tracking your HP and Shadow Energy. If your HP reaches 0, you’re eliminated from the game.

SHADOW FORM AND ABILITIES

In Base Form, you can absorb Shadow Energy from Shadow Fragments in your Resource Pool. Once you have enough Shadow Energy, you can transform into Shadow Form. Upon transformation, you summon a Companion and gain access to your unique Shadow Form Ability. Abilities cost Shadow Energy to use, but they don’t consume Action points.

SPELL BOOK

The Spell Book is where you store your collected cards. You can hold up to 5 cards at any time (and 1 Companion card if you’re in Shadow Form). Spell cards come in Attack and Conversion types, with varying effects based on the Resources you spend.

COMPANION CARDS

When you enter Shadow Form, you summon a Companion from the Companion Portal. Each Companion has ongoing effects that can impact the game even during your enemies’ turns. You can only have one Companion throughout the game, so choose wisely!

COUNTERSPELL CARDS

Counterspell cards allow you to thwart your opponents’ actions. These cards are collected from the Dusty Desert Hex tile and can be used when their specific trigger condition occurs. Each player may only use one Counterspell per trigger.

So those are the basic rules! We hope this helps you enjoy playing Casting Shadows!