Deckers reference sheet

Overview

• 1–4 players, cooperative, ages 12+ [p.2 — Overview]
• Hack a network of 5 servers to defeat one of 7 SMCs (Super-Massive Computers) [p.2 — Overview]
• Win by fulfilling the final Gold objective card's goal [p.8 — Sequence of Play]
• Lose instantly if you must place a Spark or Guardian with none left in supply [p.8 — Sequence of Play]
• Each game lasts 3–5 cycles depending on the SMC chosen [p.8 — Sequence of Play]
• Play command cards for commands (to perform actions) or for their keyword ability [p.12 — Action Step]

Setup

1. Place supply boxes and dice; give Active Decker token to a random player [p.6 — 1a/1b]
2. Choose 1 SMC card; place 'Sequence of Play' player aid next to it [p.6 — 1c/1d]
3. Build objective deck: draw cards per SMC's 'Cycles & Setup' — Copper on top, Silver middle, Gold bottom [p.6 — 2a–2f]
4. Create network: place 5 server tiles (single-colored side up), each new tile must touch 2+ spaces of existing tiles [p.6 — 3a–3c]
5. Each player picks a profile card (front = Primary, back = Alternate Decker) [p.6 — 4a]
6. Each Decker: take matching avatar, ghost token, and 15-card command deck; shuffle deck; place avatar on entry space (space 6 of home server); place 1 starting-type Program on entry space [p.7 — 4b–4e]
7. Follow SMC card setup instructions [p.7 — 5a]
8. Place blue Programs equal to number of serverless tiles (e.g. 3 in a 2-player game) anywhere on network [p.7 — 5b]
9. Shuffle advanced cards → upgrade deck; reveal top 4 face-up as upgrade area [p.7 — 5c]
10. Each Decker draws 5 cards [p.7 — 5d]

Turn structure

Each Decker takes 3 turns per cycle. Each turn has 6 steps in order:

1. Start of Turn — resolve any 'Start of Turn' effects (SMC card, objective card, profile card) [p.9 — 2a]
2. Spawn — roll dice and place SMC Sparks as shown on SMC card for current security level; check for Transformation/Explosion after each [p.9 — 2b]
3. Action — play command cards to perform as many actions as desired [p.12 — 2c]
4. End of Turn — discard hand; keep up to 1 card (not on 3rd turn); resolve 'End of Turn' effects [p.13 — 2d]
5. Draw — draw 5 cards (6 if you kept 1); if deck empty, your 3 turns are done [p.13 — 2e]
6. Restock — refill empty upgrade area slots; pass Active Decker token to any Decker with cards [p.13 — 2f]

Skip Spawn step on the very first turn of the game. [p.9 — 2b]

Actions

Infect adjustments [p.21 — Infect]:

• Infect: +1 per red command paid, +1 per red Program on space, +4 if red Installation on space, +1 per red Installation adjacent
• Resistance: +1 per Spark on space, +4 if Guardian on space, +1 per Guardian adjacent

Purple command: any 3 commands = 1 purple command = any color command [p.22 — Purple]

Combat

Infect action (player-initiated, during Action step):

1. Must have 1+ red Program on your space [p.21]
2. Pay 1+ red commands
3. Roll red die (base Infect) + black die (base Resistance)
4. Adjust both values (see Actions table)
5. Infect > Resistance → remove ALL SMC pieces from space; tie or lower → remove 1 red Program from space

SMC Attack step (automatic, during SMC Phase):

• All spaces with both red Programs AND Sparks/Guardians: run Infect procedure repeatedly (no commands paid) until space is clear of one side [p.14 — 3a]
• After battles: Guardians remove all Programs + Installations from their space; Sparks remove all Programs from their space [p.14 — 3a]

Transformation: 3 Sparks in same space → become 1 Guardian (white if any were white); all other pieces removed [p.10]

Explosion: Spark enters space with Guardian → Spark removed; 1 Spark of same color placed on every adjacent space [p.10]

End of game

• Win: Fulfill the goal on the final Gold objective card [p.8 — Sequence of Play]
• Lose instantly: Must place a Spark or Guardian with none left in supply [p.8 — Sequence of Play]
• Lose (Sentinel only): Fail any objective card goal [p.24 — Clarifications on SMCs]
• Fulfilling Copper/Silver goals is not mandatory (unless SMC says otherwise) but outcomes are better if you succeed [p.8 — Intel Phase]
• Game ends immediately when the final objective card is resolved; follow its SUCCESS or FAIL instructions [p.14 — 3b]

Glossary

• Cycle: one full game round (Intel → Command → SMC → Refresh phases) [p.8 — Sequence of Play]
• Security Level: color of the current objective card (Copper/Silver/Gold); affects Spawn count and some effects [p.8 — Intel Phase]
• Entry Space: space 6 on a Decker's home server; starting position [p.4 — The Network]
• Home Server: server tile matching a participating Decker's color [p.4 — The Network]
• Closed Space: space with another space on every one of its six sides [p.4 — The Network]
• Open Space: space with at least one side not adjacent to another space [p.4 — The Network]
• Pathway: continuous chain of adjacent blue Programs/Installations; movement along it costs no MP [p.17 — Pathway]
• Ghosting: performing an action from a ghost token's location instead of your avatar; requires green Installation on avatar's space [p.19 — Ghosting]
• Transformation: 3 Sparks in one space instantly become 1 Guardian; all other pieces removed [p.10 — Transformation]
• Explosion: Spark entering a Guardian's space is removed; Sparks of same color placed on all adjacent spaces [p.10 — Explosion]
• Capturing: white Spark stacks on a Program, neutralizing it; both removed together [p.10 — Program capturing]
• Active Decker: player currently taking their turn; holds the Active Decker token [p.9 — Command Phase]