The Ludarium Academy · Full course · Free

Five Rounds to the Lost Temple

An unofficial Lost Ruins of Arnak course

Learn Lost Ruins of Arnak, teach it in ten minutes, and turn a six-card deck and two archaeologists into a real run at the Lost Temple.

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Lost Ruins of Arnak four-player setup on the Bird Temple side: the card row with the artifact deck, Fear cards, and item deck above 1 artifact, the moon staff on round I, and 5 items; the island with level II sites holding a face-up and a face-down idol, level I sites holding 1 face-up idol, and 5 starting sites; the research track with the Lost Temple's temple tile stacks and every player's magnifying glass on their notebook at the start; the supply board with resources, site tiles, guardians, and 3 assistant stacks; and each player's 6-card deck, 2 archaeologists, 4 idol slots, and starting coins and compasses by seat.Free printable teach sheetSetup, a turn, scoring, and three tips on one page.

Five levels, 17 lessons

Start with lesson one

  1. Level 0 · Learn to play

    Deckhand

    After this level: Set up, teach, and play a full game, travel costs and the end of each round included, without opening the rulebook.

    1. 01How to Play Lost Ruins of Arnak
    2. 02How to Teach Lost Ruins of Arnak
    3. 03Arnak Travel Costs and Icons, Explained

  2. Level 1 · Beginner

    Scout

    After this level: Open with a plan, climb the research track from round I, and finish games with fewer Fear cards than you started with.

    1. 04Your First Three Games of Lost Ruins of Arnak
    2. 05Arnak Openings: Your First Two Rounds
    3. 06The Arnak Research Track: Glass, Notebook, and Assistants
    4. 07Fear and Exile in Arnak: Keeping Your Deck Clean

  3. Level 2 · Intermediate

    Cartographer

    After this level: Choose cards, sites, and guardian fights on purpose, and count the final score before round V begins.

    1. 08The Arnak Midgame: Deck, Research, and Tempo
    2. 09Reading the Arnak Card Row: Items, Artifacts, and Timing
    3. 10Arnak Sites and Guardians: Dig, Discover, or Overcome?
    4. 11Lost Ruins of Arnak Endgame and Scoring Math

  4. Level 3 · Advanced

    Scholar

    After this level: Know which cards you will draw next round, win the two-player duel, and time your climb to take the Lost Temple's best spaces.

    1. 12Arnak Deck Math: Knowing Your Next Hand
    2. 13Two-Player Arnak Strategy: Winning the Duel
    3. 14Racing to the Lost Temple: Research Timing in Arnak

  5. Level 4 · Expert

    Trailblazer

    After this level: Beat the solo rival with all five red tiles, add expansions and campaigns, and hold your own against strong players online.

    1. 15Arnak Player Counts, Solo Play, and Expansions
    2. 16Beating the Arnak Solo Rival at Full Difficulty
    3. 17Competitive Arnak: Online Play and Local Tables

Every lesson is free to read here, any time. Sign up and they also arrive by email, one at a time, so the course keeps you learning between game nights.

Who it is for

  • New players who want the rules clear before the first archaeologist leaves camp.
  • Hosts who teach Arnak to friends who have never played a deck builder.
  • Players who keep ending games with a hand full of Fear and want to know why.
  • Solo explorers, and anyone curious about the expansions and online play.
Players
1 to 4
Play time
About 30 minutes per player
Ages
Ages 12 and up
Rules as of
Lost Ruins of Arnak rulebook, English (Czech Games Edition, October 2020 rules, current download file from August 2021)

Questions

How do you get rid of Fear cards in Lost Ruins of Arnak?

Exile them. Any effect that lets you exile a card can send a Fear card from your hand or play area back to the Fear supply. Overcoming a guardian also stops that site from handing out new Fear at the end of the round. Every Fear card you still own at the end costs 1 point.

Can you use a card for travel and for its effect in Arnak?

No. Each card in your hand does one job. You either spend it for the travel icon in its corner or play it for its effect. A Fear card has no effect, but its boot still pays for travel.

When do the items you buy show up in your hand?

An item goes face down to the bottom of your deck, so you usually draw it next round. Artifacts work differently: they go straight to your play area, and you may use the effect right away without paying the tablet cost in the corner.

How many rounds are in Lost Ruins of Arnak?

Five. Each round, everyone draws up to 5 cards and takes turns until every player has passed. After round V, you go straight to final scoring.

What happens when you reach the Lost Temple?

Only your magnifying glass can get there. Earlier arrivals score more, and you choose one bonus tile from the stack. After that, researching with your magnifying glass lets you pay for temple tiles worth 2, 6, or 11 points.

Which side of the Arnak board should you use first?

The Bird Temple side. The rulebook recommends it for your first game. The Snake Temple side changes travel costs and the research track and adds a few special rules, so save it for later.

Teach sheet · PDF · Rules as described in the Lost Ruins of Arnak rulebook, English (Czech Games Edition, October 2020 rules, current download file from August 2021); official rules.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with Czech Games Edition. Lost Ruins of Arnak is a trademark of Czech Games Edition.