Official The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Rules

Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a cooperative trick-taking card game where players join forces as astronauts on a mission to uncover the mysterious Planet Nine. Players must work together, using their wits and strategic card plays, to complete tasks and make progress on the journey while facing challenges that require careful communication and planning. With its engaging mix of strategy, teamwork, and limited communication, this game offers a fresh take on the trick-taking genre.

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The Crew: the quest for planet nine card game box

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How to Play The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine

Objective

The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a cooperative card game designed for 2-5 players. The goal of the game is for all players to successfully complete a series of missions, each with unique objectives, by playing cards strategically. Players must complete missions without speaking too much to each other, making it a fun challenge of non-verbal communication and strategy.

Game Components

  • 40 Mission Cards (4 suits, each with cards numbered 1-9)
  • 5 Rocket Cards
  • Mission Book (containing 50 missions)
  • A Communication Token (used to communicate with others)
  • Task Cards (each mission has specific tasks for players to complete)

Setting Up the Game

  1. Shuffle the Mission Cards and set aside the Rocket Cards.
  2. Select a Mission from the Mission Book based on the suggested difficulty for your first game.
  3. Deal each player 9 cards, keeping them secret from the other players.
  4. Place the Mission Book in view of all players, and set the Communication Token nearby.
  5. Determine the First Player by any method you prefer (such as a dice roll or whoever played the most recent trick-taking game).

Game Flow

1. The Objective of Each Mission
Each mission has specific objectives, which will be written in the Mission Book. For example, a mission may require players to ensure a specific player wins a particular card or a player may have to achieve certain goals (like taking specific cards in a trick). The mission will indicate who needs to win which card(s) to complete the task.

2. Starting the Game
The game is played in rounds, with each round consisting of a trick. In each trick, all players simultaneously play one card, and the player with the highest card of the suit led wins the trick. The winner of the trick leads the next trick.

3. Communication and Limited Information
One of the unique features of The Crew is that players can only communicate through very limited means. After the first round, players can use the Communication Token to indicate information about their hand, such as:

  • A card that is essential for winning a trick.
  • The most important card in their hand.
  • The card they cannot win a trick with.

This limited communication forces players to think ahead and trust their team’s strategic decisions.

4. Completing a Mission
To complete a mission, players must follow the objectives outlined at the start. Players must strategize to ensure they are completing the mission tasks without direct communication. After each trick, players can check if the mission conditions are met.

5. Progressing Through the Missions
As players complete one mission, they move to the next, with each new mission becoming progressively more difficult. The missions involve increasingly complex goals and more challenges, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.

Winning the Game

The game ends when the group successfully completes all the missions in the Mission Book. However, if the players fail a mission, they must replay it until they succeed before advancing. The ultimate goal is to find Planet Nine, which requires successfully completing all missions.

Important Tips for Success

  1. Plan Together – Cooperation is essential. Try to anticipate your teammates’ moves and think several steps ahead.
  2. Use Limited Communication Wisely – The Communication Token is a precious resource. Use it strategically to give your team crucial information without breaking the rules.
  3. Pay Attention to Leading Cards – As the leader of each trick, the cards you play are often the key to the mission’s success. Make sure you lead wisely.
  4. Don’t Rush – Since all players must win together, there’s no room for individualistic play. Slow and steady wins the race in The Crew!

The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a unique, cooperative twist on the trick-taking genre. By requiring teamwork, limited communication, and strategic planning, it provides a compelling challenge for any group of players. With its fun missions and increasing difficulty, this game is a great choice for anyone looking to dive into a cooperative game where trust and strategy are key to success. Ready for the challenge? It’s time to launch into space and uncover the secrets of Planet Nine!

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