Llamas Unleashed is a great group game. If you like playing card games that are fast-paced, full of twists and turns, and where your nerves are tested as much as your friendships, then this could be your jam!
So, if you’re looking for the Llamas Unleashed rules, this guide is for you.
Llamas Unleashed is a strategy-based card game, yet full of cute and fluffy artwork that appeals to younger players. The game is recommended for ages 14+ although we believe younger children would also understand and enjoy it.
This is a big group game designed for 2 – 8 players and can certainly be considered a gateway game: simple enough for newbie gamers to understand quickly, with enough tactical potential to keep seasoned gamers engaged.
Read on to find out how to play Llamas Unleashed.
What is Llamas Unleashed?
Llamas Unleashed is often compared to Unstable Unicorns (see Unstable Unicorns rules), but there are some notable differences. The goal in Llamas unleashed is to get 7 animals into your Field before the other players – a task that sounds a lot simpler than it is.
The game comes with 135 cards and has the same core mechanics as Unstable Unicorns, but with a few twists and new card effects, which we haven’t seen before.
In the magnetic box, there are 4 different characters: Llamas, Rams, Goats, and Alpacas. There are also upgrade/downgrade cards, instant cards, and magic cards.
Number of Players: 2 to 8 players.
Ages: Recommended 14+
Difficulty: Medium
Length of Play: 30 – 45 Minutes
Similar To: Unstable Unicorns, Exploding Kittens, Cards Against Humanity.
Main Objective: To be the first player to have 7 animals in your Field.
Why We Love it: Llamas Unleashed will never be the same game no matter how many times you play; you can never call what your opponents will do and how this will affect your strategy. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and you can sabotage the efforts of your opponents… all in good fun, of course!
What You’ll Need to Play Llamas Unleashed
Everything you need to play Llamas Unleashed is within the box.
Inside the box, you will find 135 Cards:
- 12 Baby Animal Cards
- 4 Basic Animal Cards
- 30 Magic Animal Cards
- 16 Magic Cards
- 10 Upgrade Cards
- 8 Downgrade Cards
- 5 Instant Cards
How to Play Llamas Unleashed
The game’s objective is to be the first player to have 7 animals in your Field. This sounds like a simple prospect, but with so many twists and turns and being at the mercy of other opponents and their actions, it isn’t an easy feat.
If you haven’t previously played Unstable Unicorns, then the concept of Llamas Unleashed can be a little tricky to understand. But, do remember this is a really cool game that, once mastered, will be massively entertaining to play.
Setting up the Game
#1 Each player is given a Reference Card
#2 Each player will select a Baby Animal Card and place it face-up (known as in the Field)
#3 The remaining animal cards are placed in the middle of the table (known as the nursery)
#4 The Blue Cards must then be shuffled, and each player gets 5
Llamas Unleashed Rules
Game Play
The object is to get 7 animals in the Field when playing with 2 to 5 players. This changes to 6 animals in the Field if playing with 6 to 8 players.
There are no rules to determine who goes first; you could opt for age order, party host, guest of honor, use a simple die, or an impromptu game of 5-second rule.
Once the first player has been determined, they will draw a card from the top of the deck. They then have two actions to choose between: play a card or draw another instead.
Player 2 draws a card and plays an animal card into their Field.
After an action by player 2, gameplay moves clockwise around the table.
Gameplay follows the actions offered by different cards and the directions players choose to take.
You can use cards along the way to up your chances of winning while sabotaging the efforts of your opponents – but, remember, whatever you can do to them, they can do to you!
As with almost every game, there are some rules with Llamas Unleashed, which are easy-to-follow:
- Players must hide their hands from other players
- Max 7 cards in hand end of turn, anymore must be discarded
- 3 or more same animal get Herd Bonus – Reference Cards will describe the specific action to take
- If action described by a Reference Card is impossible, it must be disregarded
- Once the player has the required number of animals in their Field, they win the game
- If the Blue Cards run out, then the game is over, and the player with the most amount of animals in their Field wins
Different Types of Cards
Below is a brief summary of what each type of card can do:
Animal Card – These cards are to be saved and played into your Field. Animal cards can be Baby, Basic, and Magic and will be either Llamas, Alpacas, Goats, or Rams. When you have 3 of the same animal type in your Field, you can use the Herd Bonus.
Magical Animal Card – Go into a field like a standard animal card and contribute to the number of animal cards, but allow the player to take additional action. This varies based on the description of the card.
Upgrade Card – Are placed in either your or another player’s Field and may require additional action based on the card’s description. This card will only affect the cards in your Field.
Downgrade Card – Can go into any player’s Field, and additional action will be taken based on their description.
Magic Card – Are placed into the discard pile; action taken will vary based on the description given. It could be beneficial to your play, such as providing immunity, or detrimental to an opponent’s play. Magic Cards have a one-time effect before being discarded.
Instant Card – These are highly valued cards in the game and can be played at any time in response to another card being played. They can be played out of turn, and you must follow the action described.
Any player can play an Instant Card at any time – maybe in retaliation to your play…
Terminology in the Game
Many of the special cards will state action must be taken with the following terminology:
Sacrifice: This means you must take a card from your Field and place it in the discard pile.
Destroy: This allows you to take a card from any of your opponent’s Fields and put it into the discard pile.
Steal: To steal is to take a card from any other player’s Field and put it into your own Field.
Discard: Take a card out of your hand and put it into the discard pile.
Draw: Take a card from the top of the deck and add it to your hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the Instant Cards do in Llamas Unleashed?
Each of the 5 different Instant Cards has a unique action, and their only similarity is that they can be played instantly – and out of turn. We love the ‘’Alpaca Your Bags!’’ Instant Card as it prevents another player from playing their card…other players don’t love this one so much!
Is Llamas Unleashed a Better Game than Unstable Unicorns?
Llamas Unleashed is a fairer game for all, but it lacks some of the more exciting twists and turns found in Unstable Unicorns. However, both are innovative and unique board games that tease and challenge the mind.
We believe Llamas Unleashed is a more intense game, and it is up to you if that means better or not.
Can Children Younger than 14 Play Llamas Unleashed?
There is nothing offensive or graphic in this game that would upset younger children. We believe the age range is due to the mental challenge that comes with the game and that it may be a little much for younger children.
Alternative Games to Llamas Unleashed
Llamas Unleashed is a pretty unique game, but there are other games to consider with similar mental challenges and fast-paced fun, such as Exploding Kittens. This game is much easier to learn and is recommended for ages 7+.
Spicy Uno is a card game with wild cards, reverse cards, and many actions such as trading and asking for help. Spicy Uno is less challenging than Llamas Unleashed and could make a great party game if you like the concept of a big group card game with lots of variants.
If you like the competitiveness, and being able to go head-to-head with your friends with Llamas Unleashed, then Battle of the Sexes is a great alternative. In this game Men Vs. Women to see who comes out on top.
