Shamans
- Players
- 3-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.0 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
Shamans is a hidden-role card game for three to five players caught between the forces of Shadow and the titular Shamans trying to restore harmony to a threatened world. An original card-playing system layers trick-taking-style play with hand management, letting players stabilize the spirit world, perform rituals, and acquire artifacts as they inch toward a final showdown. Roles stay secret throughout, so reading your rivals' plays is as important as your own card choices. The player who most accurately reads the table and sticks to the winning side claims victory.
Hobbli's Notes
The blend of trick-taking-style card play with hidden team allegiances is an interesting combination that isn't common in the genre. It plays in a tight 60 minutes, which keeps the tension from overstaying its welcome. As a lesser-known French import, we don't have strong first-hand confidence in exactly how it compares to more established hidden-role games, so treat our comparisons as an approximation.
What we like
- Blends trick-taking-style play with hidden team allegiances.
- Quick, tight 60-minute playtime.
- Rewards careful reading of opponents' intentions.
- Light rules overhead wrapped in an appealing fantasy theme.
Keep in mind
- Hidden-role deduction can be tough for newcomers to grasp quickly.
- Needs a consistent player count for balance to feel right.
- Thematic depth is fairly light compared to the mechanics.
Who it's for
Good for groups of 3-5 players age 10+ who enjoy hidden-role deduction blended with card-driven tactics.
