Choose a hero. Place their identity card alter-ego side up. Set the hit point dial to the printed HP value.
Each player builds or selects a deck for their hero (40–50 cards, following aspect and deckbuilding restrictions).
Shuffle each player's obligation card into the encounter deck.
Choose a villain. Set the villain's stage 1 card and the main scheme card. Adjust villain HP based on player count as indicated.
Build the encounter deck: villain-specific cards + chosen modular encounter set(s). Shuffle it.
Follow any additional setup instructions on the main scheme card (placing side schemes, minions, attachments, etc.).
Each player draws cards equal to their hand size (printed on identity card). You may mulligan once — shuffle any cards back, redraw the same number.
Give the first player token to a chosen player. You're ready to play!
Winning & Losing
Win: Reduce the villain's final stage HP to 0.
Lose: The main scheme advances past its final stage, or all heroes are eliminated (HP reduced to 0).
Round Overview
1. Player Phase— Players take turns in order. On your turn you can play cards from hand (paying their cost with resources from other cards), use hero/ally abilities, change form (hero ↔ alter-ego, once per turn), attack the villain, thwart the scheme, and trigger any action abilities. No fixed limit — keep going until you choose to pass. Then the next player goes.
2. Villain Phase— The villain activates against each player in order. If you're in hero form, the villain attacks you. If you're in alter-ego form, the villain schemes (adds threat to the main scheme). Then, each player draws 1 encounter card and resolves it. Finally, pass the first player token to the left.