How to Play Enemies & Lovers: A Beginner's Guide to the Crown of Elfhame

Quick Answer

Enemies & Lovers: The Crown of Elfhame is a competitive card game for two players. You'll build a deck of allies and actions, then take turns playing cards to gain influence and achieve your secret objective. The first player to complete their objective wins.

Enemies & Lovers: The Crown of Elfhame drops you into a faerie court where nothing is as it seems. You and a rival are vying for control, using a mix of trickery and charm. If you're new to this game, the rules might feel a bit layered at first, but once you understand the core loop, it clicks quickly.

This guide walks you through the essentials: what you need to know before your first game, how to set up, how turns work, and what it takes to win. We'll also point out common pitfalls so you can avoid them from the start.

Understanding the Basics

Enemies & Lovers is a two-player game where each player takes on the role of a faerie ruler. The goal is to gain enough influence to complete your unique objective before your opponent does. You'll do this by playing cards from your hand, which represent allies, artifacts, and actions that help you manipulate the board state.

The game revolves around a central deck of cards. Each turn, you draw cards, play them, and use their effects to swing the game in your favor. The player who best manages their hand and anticipates their opponent's moves will come out on top.

• It's a head-to-head game, so everything you do directly affects your opponent.
• Your objective is secret, so keep it hidden until you're ready to strike.

Setup: What to Do Before Your First Turn

Setting up Enemies & Lovers is straightforward. Shuffle the main deck and deal each player a starting hand. Each player also receives a unique objective card that defines their win condition. Place the remaining deck in the center, leaving room for a discard pile.

The game includes various tokens and markers to track influence and other resources. Make sure you have these within reach. It's also a good idea to decide who goes first, either randomly or by mutual agreement.

One common mistake is not reading your objective carefully. Each objective specifies exactly what you need to achieve, so take a moment to understand it before you start playing.

• Double-check that you have all components before starting.
• Read your objective aloud (to yourself) to avoid confusion later.

How Turns Work

On your turn, you draw cards from the main deck until you have a hand of five. Then you can play cards from your hand. Each card has a cost, usually in the form of influence or other resources. You generate resources by playing certain cards or using abilities.

After playing cards, you can activate their effects. Some cards allow you to gain influence, attack your opponent's influence, or draw more cards. You can also use cards to create alliances that give you ongoing benefits.

Once you've played and resolved your cards, your turn ends. Play proceeds back and forth until one player meets their objective.

• Always consider what your opponent might do on their next turn before you end yours.
• Don't hoard cards—use them to keep momentum.

Winning the Game

To win, you must achieve the condition on your objective card. This often involves reaching a certain level of influence or collecting specific types of cards. The game ends immediately when a player fulfills their objective.

If you're playing with the Crown of Elfhame expansion, additional rules and cards may introduce new win conditions or alter the base game. Always check the expansion's rules to see how it integrates.

A common mistake is focusing only on your own objective and ignoring your opponent. If you let them build up too much influence, they might win before you have a chance to react. Keep an eye on their progress and disrupt their plans when possible.

• Watch your opponent's influence track—it's a good indicator of their progress.
• If you're close to winning, don't be afraid to go all-in.

Step-by-Step: Your First Game of Enemies & Lovers

1. Step 1: Setup: Shuffle the main deck and deal each player a starting hand. Place your objective card face down in front of you. Set up any tokens and resources as indicated in the rules. Checkpoint: Make sure both players have equal starting hands and understand their objectives.
2. Step 2: Learn Your Objective: Read your objective card carefully. Note what you need to achieve to win. This will guide your strategy from the first turn. Checkpoint: If you're unsure about any term on the card, review the glossary before playing.
3. Step 3: Play Your First Turn: Draw up to your hand limit, then play cards that generate resources or provide early advantages. Focus on building a foundation for future turns. Checkpoint: Avoid playing all your cards at once; keep some for later.
4. Step 4: Respond to Your Opponent: After your opponent's turn, reassess the board. Use your cards to counter their moves or advance your own objective. Balance offense and defense. Checkpoint: If your opponent is close to winning, prioritize disrupting their plan.
5. Step 5: Aim for Victory: As the game progresses, focus on achieving your objective. Use combos and card synergies to accelerate your progress. Checkpoint: When you meet your objective, announce it and win the game!

Related Products to Enhance Your Game

• Garden Guests: Race to connect stones and colonies in Garden Guests, but keep quiet to avoid disturbing the beetles. Team up, strategize silently, and build an unbroken path to lead your guests to victory in this whimsical mosaic adventure! If you enjoy the strategic depth of Enemies & Lovers but want a lighter, cooperative option, Garden Guests offers a different kind of challenge that's great for a game night variety.
• Graphic Novel Adventures Season 2 (With Slipcase): Includes Mystery, Sherlock Holmes & Moriarty: Associates, Pirates: The Great Chase, Sherlock Holmes: The Challenge of Irene Adler, and Pirates: The City of Skulls. Graphic Novel Adventures game books are unlike any game books you have seen before! When you want a solo or narrative experience, these game books provide a story-driven alternative to the competitive tension of Enemies & Lovers.

Enemies & Lovers: The Crown of Elfhame offers a rich dueling experience that rewards careful planning and adaptability. By following the steps above, you'll be ready to navigate the faerie court with confidence. Remember to keep an eye on your opponent and enjoy the intrigue!