Nymbrai

Mechanics

Flicking • Bingo • Pattern Building

Game Overview

Core Concept:

Nymbrai is a 2–6 player dexterity-based strategy game where players are arcane mages inscribing runes into their spellbooks by channeling shared magical energy. Players flick energy tokens across a central board, and wherever they land determines which rune all players must place on their spell grids. With limited placement flexibility and public spell goals, players must think fast, aim well, and adapt patterns to claim the most potent spells before rivals do.

Key Systems:

  • Flicking Rune Selection:
    • Each round, a player flicks a shared energy token onto a rune-inscribed board.
    • Where the token lands determines the rune all players must place in their spellbooks.
  • Bingo-Style Spellbooks:
    • Each player has a personal spellbook grid with spatial constraints.
    • All players place the chosen rune simultaneously, building toward matching one or more spell patterns.
    • Rune placement must obey personal grid constraints and cannot be undone once placed.
  • Pattern-Based Spell Completion:
    • Spells are public contracts with specific patterns and rune combinations.
    • When a player matches a spell, they immediately claim it and score full points.
    • Other players may also complete the spell later, but for reduced points.

Design Principles:

  • Precision Through Chaos: A single flick determines everyone’s fate, blending tactical dexterity with universal consequence.
  • Race and Reaction: Players must quickly recognize opportunities to complete spells and adapt their grids accordingly.

Endgame Structure:

  • Trigger: When all spellbook grids are full.
  • Victory Condition: Players total the points earned from completed spells.
  • Tiebreaker: The player who completed the most unique spell types (elemental diversity) wins.

Future Expansion Ideas:

  • Advanced Constraints: Introduce rotating rules per game (e.g., “Wind must always border Water”).
  • Spellbook Layout Variants: Different grid shapes or rune affinities per player board.
  • Ritual Mode: Cooperative mode with cascading spell combos to banish a rising magical threat.