Last Updated on September 3, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Here to Slay is a competitive card game where players assemble a party of heroes to slay monsters while sabotaging their opponents. Players draft heroes, equip them with items, and use special abilities to defeat monsters and outmaneuver their rivals. This page provides a clear breakdown of the rules, guiding you through the drafting, equipping, monster slaying, and sabotage mechanics that define this game.

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How to Play Here to Slay

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Objective

In Here to Slay, build a Party of Heroes, slay Monsters, and outwit your opponents using Magic, Modifiers, and strategy. You can win by either:

• Slaying three Monsters, or
• Forming a full Party with six unique Hero classes.

Players: 2–6
Playtime: 30–60 minutes
Recommended Ages: 10+

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Components

• 1 Main Deck (115 standard-sized cards)
• 15 Oversized Monster Cards
• 6 Oversized Party Leader Cards
• 6 Reference Cards (1 per player)
• 2 Six-sided Dice

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Setup

1. Prepare the Decks

• Shuffle the Monster Cards into a Monster Deck. Flip three face-up in the center.
• Shuffle the Main Deck (Hero, Magic, Item, Modifier, Challenge cards).

2. Choose Party Leaders

• Each player selects a Party Leader and places it face-up in front of them. This starts your Party.
• Party Leaders have unique classes and passive abilities.
• Note: “The Shadow Claw” cannot be used in 2-player games.

3. Deal Starting Hands

• Give each player 5 cards from the Main Deck.
• Place the remaining cards face-down as the draw pile. Leave space for a discard pile.

4. Reference Cards

• Give each player a reference card for quick rules and actions.

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Turn Structure

Players take turns clockwise. Each turn gives you 3 Action Points (AP). You may:

• Spend AP on any actions, in any order
• Repeat the same action if desired
• End your turn early

1 AP Actions

• Draw a card from the Main Deck
• Play a Hero, Item, or Magic card
  • Hero effects may require a dice roll
  • Each Hero can only attempt activation once per turn

2 AP Actions

• Attack a Monster (must meet requirements)

3 AP Actions

• Discard your hand and draw 5 new cards

AP does not carry over between turns.

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Heroes & Party Rules

• Unlimited Heroes can be in your Party
• Hero effects usually require rolling 2 dice
• If the roll fails, the AP is still spent

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Winning the Game

• Slay 3 Monsters, or
• Assemble a full Party of 6 unique Hero classes (including your Party Leader)

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Hero Classes

Each Hero belongs to one of six classes (color-coded symbols):

• Fighter
• Guardian
• Ranger
• Thief
• Wizard
• Bard

Some Monsters require specific class combinations in your Party to attack successfully.

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Card Types

Hero Cards

• Played into your Party
• Each has a class and a special ability
• Abilities may require a dice roll

Item Cards

• Attach to Heroes (not Party Leaders)
• Provide ongoing effects
• Only one Item per Hero
• Cursed Items can target opponents’ Heroes

Magic Cards

• One-time use
• Discard after playing

Modifier Cards

• Adjust dice rolls for yourself or opponents
• Can be stacked
• Some offer multiple options (e.g., +1 or -3)

Challenge Cards

• Play during another player’s Hero, Item, or Magic action
• Both players roll 2 dice:
  • Challenger wins → target card discarded
  • Target wins → card takes effect
• Only one Challenge per card

Party Leader Cards

• Oversized, with ongoing abilities
• Cannot be destroyed, stolen, or discarded
• Skills trigger automatically

Monster Cards

• Flipped face-up from the Monster Deck
• Cost 2 AP to attack
• May require specific Party conditions (classes or Hero count)
• Dice roll determines outcome:
  • Success: Slay Monster and gain its ability
  • Failure: May need to sacrifice a Hero or other effect
  • Neutral: No effect

Slain Monsters are added permanently to your Party.

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Glossary of Actions

• DRAW: Take a card from the Main Deck
• DISCARD: Send a card from hand to the discard pile
• DESTROY: Remove another player’s Hero or Item
• SACRIFICE: Remove one of your own Heroes
• STEAL: Take a Hero or Item from another player
• ATTACK: Attempt to Slay a Monster
• SLAY: Successfully defeat a Monster
• CHALLENGE: Attempt to block another player’s action

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Here to Slay FAQ

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Notes/Variations

• Playing a Hero: If you have a Mage Hero card in your hand, you can play it into your party for 1 action point.
• Attacking a Monster: To attack a revealed Monster, you roll two dice, add any modifiers, and try to meet or exceed the Monster’s defense value. If successful, you slay the Monster and add it to your victory pile.

Here to Slay is an exciting mix of strategy and luck, requiring players to carefully build their party, equip their heroes, and tactically defeat monsters while managing their resources and countering opponents’ actions.