Baby dragons live in a magic book, with pages that contain cards illustrated with four different colors of dragons. The pages on the left side of the book reveal the number of dragons that may be played as a set on your turn and a reward for playing them. The right side of the book shows which colored dragon (blue, white, red or green) can be played. To begin, the first two pages (cards) of the book are flipped over and placed in front of the book to form starting draw piles. This also reveals new requirements in the magic book! From here, gameplay starts. Each player’s turn contains three steps:
- Take up to three cards from the right or left display pile with the goal to build sets of matching dragons. As each card is chosen, a card drawn from the book replaces it, and with it either a new requirement for the number or color of dragons is determined.
- This second step, though optional, can be key to playing sets of dragon cards from your hand. You can change the requirements in the magic book by playing one card in your hand back to the book by flipping it over, which reveals a different number or a color type for the required dragons. This can help you with step 3.
- Play dragon cards in front of you, matching the number and color type required by the magic book. Then receive any award depicted on the left-hand page of the magic book. Possible rewards and their game-impact vary.
Rewards include:
Amulet Pieces: These are put together to form an amulet and contain game-end points. Depending on player count, a total completed number of amulets among all players triggers the game end. When each amulet is complete, a pearl is added to its center for additional game-end points. Three pieces make up each amulet.
Shadow Dragon Cards: These are wild cards to use as any color dragon when completing sets.
Crystals: Use a crystal to draw a 4th dragon card on your turn.
Golden Eggs: These are worth 4 points each at game-end.
Crest Bonuses: Collect a crest for game-end points when you have at least one of each of the 4 dragon colors in your card display.
The game ends when the number of completed amulets required among all players is reached. All players add up their points and the person with the most points wins!
Dragonkeepers is an engaging, lightweight game great for beginners with elements of luck, strategy, and timing. 2-4 players can enjoy this game in 20 minutes; it has beautiful components and a concise rulebook, and although relatively simple, it is engaging for older players too. - - Marsha