In this section, we present the essential guide to the PhyloGenome game rules.

Basic game rules:

Extended game rules:

What is PhyloGenome?

PhyloGenome explores the fascinating world of genome sequencing, allowing you to decide how the history of the sequencing era will unfold. This game combines scientific concepts with strategic gameplay, where you will take turns playing sequencing projects from a vast array of potential species. The goal is to accumulate the most points by the end of the game.

Types of cards

In PhyloGenome, there are three types of cards.

Species card

Species cards are the constructing blocks of the game and the source of the points. These cards provide information about the species and its first genome sequencing project. They also provide details regarding how they are played. Discarded Species cards go to the discard pile of the player the card was facing. Refer to the following example of a Species card to identify the information in the card:

Event card

Event cards introduce dynamic elements to the game by giving benefits or drawbacks to the players. They have a one-time use. They may either be played:

• Beneath a Species card, affecting it until it is discarded. If the Species card moves, the Event card moves with it.
• On top of a Species card,affecting it momentarily and then being discarded.
• On the table, having a constant effect until it is discarded.
• By influencing the game momentarily and then being discarded.

Certain Event cards have specific play requirements; e.g., being in play X number of Species cards facing you, or discarding a card from your hand. Detailed playing rules for each Event card can be found at the end of this document. Discarded Event cards go to the discard pile of the player who played the card; thus, when playing an Event card, always place it facing yourself, even if placed beneath or on top of a Species card that is not facing you.

Generation progress

Players start the game equipped with a first-generation sequencing machine and progress by playing cards from subsequent (i.e., second and third) generations. Advancement to the next generation requires having a minimum of 4 Species cards from the preceding generation facing the player. At that moment, you add the next Generation progress card on top of the previous one. Losing cards from a generation results in regression to the previous sequencing technology level.

Before playing

Sequencing generations

Understanding the sequencing generations is crucial to progressing through PhyloGenome. The required sequencing generation for playing a card is indicated in the top right circle of a Species card. To progress to the next sequencing generation, you need at least 4 Species cards in game facing you from the previous generation. For example, if you have 4 Species cards sequenced with first-generation technologies, add the Generation progress card of the second generation on top of the first-generation one.

If Species cards are discarded, leaving you with 3 or fewer first-generation Species cards facing you, the generation advancement is lost. In this case, you can only play cards from the previous generations until you meet again the 4 cards requirement. Following the previous example, if, after progressing to second-generation technologies, you end up with 3 Species cards of first generation, remove your Generation progress card of the second generation. Any Species cards of the second generation already played stay in the game, but you can only play first-generation cards until you have 4 Species cards of the first generation.

If you have progressed to the third generation and lose first-generation cards, resulting in less than 4 first-generation cards, revert to the Generation progress card of the first generation. Regain 4 first-generation cards, and if you still have at least 4 second-generation cards, you then acquire a Generation progress card of the third generation.

Compatibility

In-game cards in PhyloGenome must be compatible with the cards adjacent to them. When playing a Species card, adhere to the following requirements:

• Genome scale compatibility: The Genome Scale of the card you want to play and all adjacent cards must share the same number or have a difference of one. For example, if the Genome Scale of a card is 5, adjacent cards must be 4, 5, or 6. This requirement applies exclusively to the Species card being played with the adjacent ones, not between the adjacent cards with themselves.
• Sequencing generation limit: You may only play cards up to the sequencing generation you have currently progressed to.
• Available actions: You still have actions left on your turn.
• Freedom from Event card effects: You have no effect from an Event card preventing you to play a Species card.

Addressing inconsistencies

Actions may inadvertently lead to incompatible connections or empty spaces, resulting in a section of the cards becoming disconnected from the Generation progress cards. In such cases, each player has until the end of their next turn to fix it. If they don’t, all disconnected or incompatible cards are discarded.

How to play

Preparation

Prepare the game by following these setup steps:

1. Each player sits facing each other with a deck of cards facing down next to them.
2. The recommended composition is 25 Species cards and 10 Event cards of your choice for each player.
3. Each player places a Generation progress card of the first generation on the table facing them, positioning them side by side.
4. Shuffle both decks thoroughly.
5. Each player draws five cards from their respective deck and the game starts.

The game begins

Each turn is divided into four steps:

1. Activate start-of-turn actions: Trigger any action specified to activate “At the start of your turn”.
2. Draw a card: Draw a card from your deck and put it in your hand.
3. Perform up to three actions: Perform up to three of the following actions, with the flexibility to repeat actions, except for playing an Event card, which you may only play one each turn:
   1. Discard 1 card, draw 3 cards.
   1. Play a Species card facing you next to a compatible spot.
   1. Move up to 2 Species cards to compatible spots.
   1. Play an Event card.
4. End of turn: The turn ends, and cards in incompatible spots or disconnected from the Generation progress cards are discarded.

The game ends

Once both players have depleted their Species cards, the game ends, regardless of remaining Event cards.

Counting points

The player with the most points by the end of the game wins. Count the points as follows:

1. Species card points: Sum the points of every Species card facing you. Apply the effects of any Event card beneath them.
2. Sequencing technology points: Count the number of Species cards using first, second, and third-generation sequencing technology separately. Multiply each total by 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
3. Special points: Add the following special points according to the cards facing you:
   • 15 points for the player with the longest chain of Species cards with publication dates in order (chain must be longer than 5).
   • 8 points for the player with the most genomic interest areas within Species cards.
   • 2 points for the player with the Species card with the oldest publication date (see item 9 in the example of the chicken’s Species card above).
   • 2 points for the player with the Species card with the largest genome size.
   • 2 points for the player with the Species card with the highest number of protein-coding genes.
   • 2 points for the player with the Species card with the highest number of unique chromosomes.