Hex Effects
🐸 Dettagli da BoardGameGeek
Consiglio BGG sul numero di giocatori
Categorie
Meccaniche
Design & Art
Lingua
Si abbina bene con
The FroGames Card
You have four curses in front of you. You find the remedy, play it, read the side effects: three new curses. Someone laughs, you curse. Welcome to the table.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
A race to get rid of curses, where the cure is worse than the disease
Designed by Ben Bronstein, Jade Shames, and Kat Thek, Hex Effects is a card game with original medieval illustrations by Bronstein himself. It is based on the game Side Effects, re-adapted with a magical setting and alchemical theme.
You start with four curses in front of you. You must cure them all to win. You play Remedy cards over the curses, but each remedy brings with it side effects: new curses that other players can inflict on you. The race quickly degenerates: some get free, some accumulate, some cast curses until only one winner remains.
What they say abroad
"Hex Effects is a "take that" style card game featuring Hexes (that you need to rid of) and Remedies (that treat Hexes but may cause you to have more)."
— Pillbox Games
The side effects mechanic constantly reverses fortunes: those who are winning can find themselves buried in an instant.
— FroGames
Hex Effects
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and gameplay sessionsThe deck of doom
Four card types for a race to alchemical slaughter
Hexes
The cards you want to get rid of. You start with four in front of you in your Shadow. Each curse has a name and a symbol, and can only be cured by the right remedy.
Remedies
The cards you play over curses to cure them. But each remedy has a list of side effects: other curses that opponents can inflict on you.
Special Actions
Event cards that break the rules: trades, protections, direct attacks. Two actions per turn, and chaos multiplies.
The Shadow
The space in front of you where curses accumulate. Everyone sees your Shadow, everyone knows what side effects can hit you. Transparency is the poison of the game.
Recommended Sleeves 96 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with clear sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 70 × 120 mm | 96 |
| Total cards | 96 |
🎯 COME SI GIOCA
🧤 BUSTINE
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each turn
A turn lasts one minute: draw, play, curse, pass. The pace is fast.
You start by drawing two cards from the common deck. You might find remedies, curses, or special actions. Luck counts: if you draw the wrong remedy, the turn is wasted.
You can do two things: play a remedy on one of your curses, play an action card, or discard useless cards. If a remedy cures a curse, read the side effects aloud: these are new curses that others can inflict on you during their turns.
If you've cured a curse and the side effects include curses that other players have in hand, they can immediately play them into your Shadow. The Shadow grows, the advantage disappears.
Done. The next player draws and repeats. The game speeds up: turns become faster, Shadows fluctuate, someone gets close to victory, and the table gangs up against them.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The calm before the storm
Everyone draws their starting hand, looks at the four curses in front of them. Someone already has the right remedy, someone else will curse for the whole game. The first turn is civil: you play a remedy, cure a curse, you feel in control.
Side effects strike
You cured the first curse. Good. Read the side effects of the remedy aloud: three new curses. The other players smile, throwing the first two at you. Your Shadow grows instead of emptying. You realize this won't be a walk in the park.
The race heats up
Someone has dropped to two curses. They become the target: everyone throws the worst curses at them. Meanwhile, you're stomping on one remedy after another, but your Shadow fluctuates between three and five cards. The rhythm becomes frantic, hands empty and refill each turn.
The plot twist
The player who seemed doomed draws the perfect combo: two remedies with no serious side effects, dropping to one curse. The table erupts, special actions fly, someone plays a protection. Shouts, laughter, betrayals. This is the moment you'll remember.
Victory by attrition
Someone cures the last curse and wins. The others look at their Shadows: five, six, seven cards. No one was even close. Replay immediately or switch to another game, but the tone of the table has changed: now you trust each other less.
🐸Good to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to know beforehand
Three honest warnings
The take-that is pure and constant
This game thrives on direct attacks. Every turn someone throws curses at you, and you throw curses at someone else. If your group hates confrontational games or takes free hits badly, Hex Effects won't work. It's made for tables that laugh at beatings, not for those seeking fairness or control.
Luck in drawing can be frustrating
You draw two cards per turn. If you never find the right remedies, you'll be stuck with six curses while others win. It happens. The game compensates with speed (a game is short, you replay immediately), but those who hate depending on the draw will get irritated.
Scaling: better with 4-6 than 8
The game supports up to 8 players, but beyond 6, downtime increases and chaos becomes noise. With 4-5 players, the rhythm is perfect: enough chaos to laugh, enough control to feel like your choices matter. With 2-3 players, it loses social appeal.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
Victory and defeat
The game ends as soon as a player cures all curses in their Shadow.
Victory
- Cure the last curse in front of you (empty Shadow)
- Win immediately, even if it's someone else's turn
- Others count their remaining curses and curse their luck
How you fall behind
- You only draw curses and no useful remedies for turns on end
- You cure one curse but the side effects bring you three new ones
- The table targets you because you're too far ahead or too far behind (depends on the mood)
Hex Effects is alchemical chaos in under half an hour: light, mean, very fast. If your group laughs at beatings, it's a perfect filler. If you're looking for strategy or fairness, try another shelf.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently asked questions
Hex Effects FAQ
What mechanics does Hex Effects use?
Race (a race to eliminate your own curses), take-that (direct attacks on players), light hand management (you manage a small hand of cards). The core is the side effects mechanic: every remedy you play lists new curses that others can inflict on you, creating a cycle of attacks and revenge.
Does it work well with 8 players?
Technically yes, the game scales up to 8. In practice, the sweet spot is 4-6 players: enough chaos to be fun, acceptable downtime. With 7-8 players, turns lengthen and attention wanes. With 2-3 players, it loses social appeal, remaining an honest but not memorable tactical filler.
How long does a real game last?
The box says 10-30 minutes, and that's accurate. The first few games last 20-25 minutes (including setup), and from the second game onwards, it drops to 15. If someone draws really well, they can win in 10 net minutes, if the chaos is maximum, it can reach half an hour. Never beyond: the game naturally accelerates towards the end.
Is it suitable for those who hate confrontational games?
No. Hex Effects is pure take-that: every turn someone throws curses at you, you throw them at others, and there's no way to avoid it. If your group gets offended when attacked or prefers cooperative/solo games, this isn't the right title. It only works with tables that laugh at free hits.
Hex Effects is a competitive party game for 2-8 players, lasting 10-30 minutes, ages 10+. Designed by Ben Bronstein, Jade Shames, and Kat Thek for Pillbox Games, the game uses race and take-that mechanics with the unique feature of side effects: each remedy that cures a curse introduces new vulnerabilities that opponents can exploit. Weight 1.3/5, original medieval illustrations by Ben Bronstein, based on the game Side Effects. Available on FroGames.it with immediate shipping.
Hex Effects
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
⏳How do pre-orders work?
Pre-order the game before release, payment is immediate, and the game is reserved for you. As soon as it arrives, we'll ship it right away! If there are any delays, we'll update you promptly.
🔒Can I trust buying here?
Absolutely! Secure payments, tracked shipments, and a team that loves board games as much as you do. If something goes wrong, we'll do our best to fix it.
🛠There's a problem with my order, what should I do?
Write to us now! Whether it's a missing part, damage, or an error, we'll help you resolve it as soon as possible. Your experience truly matters to us.