Eternal Decks · Board game rules
When can I play starting and other task cards in Eternal Decks?
Quick answer
Task Cards are only used in Stage E: Starting Tasks complete when you gain the 3rd or 4th Star, 6/7/8/9 Tasks complete before the 3rd Star, and General Tasks complete whenever their specific condition is met.
Details
Task Cards are dealt during Stage E setup and are not part of your hand, so they don't count against hand size [p.38 — Stage E: Silent]. There are three types, each with its own timing window.
Starting Task Cards: the moment you gain the 3rd or 4th Star, if you can reveal a 1/2/3/4/5 card in your matching color (Number or Two-Color Card, not Rare), you complete the task. Once the 4th Star is gained, these tasks can no longer be completed [p.41 — Task Cards].
6/7/8/9 Task Cards: completed by playing a 6/7/8/9 of any color to the Field, but only before the 3rd Star is gained. Rare Cards cannot be used. Once the 3rd Star is gained, these tasks can no longer be completed [p.41 — Task Cards].
General Task Cards: each has its own specific trigger (e.g., gaining a Star, completing a puzzle column, generating a specific Jewel, giving a Jewel to the 7th–9th Eternal, or playing a Rare next to another Rare) and can be completed whenever that condition occurs during the game [p.41 — Task Cards].
Once a task is completed, you immediately reveal the Task Card and move the corresponding Key one space to the right [p.41 — Task Cards].
Watch out: In Stage E+ (Advanced Mode), the timing changes — your Starting Task Card can only be completed after the 4th Star is gained and all four Keys have already reached the Key Acquisition Area; gaining the 4th Star too early or being unable to complete your Starting Task at that point causes everyone to lose immediately [p.53 — Stage E+: Engagement]. Also, in E+, your other Task Cards (except the Starting Task) must be completed by the player whose turn was immediately before yours, not by yourself [p.53 — Stage E+: Engagement].