A beginner's guide
How to play 18 Days
Build an army. Play warriors to the field. Win rounds with more Power than your opponent.
The quickest way to learn is through the game's Learn to Play lessons. This guide explains the basics before your first battle.
1. Choose your army
Start with Quickplay for one battle against the computer, or the Long Campaign for a campaign. Use the offered army or open the army editor to change it.
Budget is what your army can spend. Cards and carried weapons each have a Cost, and your current limits decide what you can bring. Assign a carried weapon to an eligible warrior while building your army. It arrives with its bearer; it is not a separate card in your hand.
2. Review your opening hand
Before round one, you can redraw up to 2 cards. Check your warriors and weapons before committing to the hand.
3. Take turns playing cards
Open a card to inspect it, choose Play, and follow the highlighted choices. A warrior stands in the line matching his rank: Rathi, Atirathi or Maharathi. If he offers a choice of deeds, choose the one you want to use.
Read the card's rule before playing it. Some effects need a target, an ally or a particular moment. The game highlights legal choices.
4. Time your divine weapons
Astras are divine weapons. They can change the battle, but their wielders, targets and costs matter. An opponent may be able to answer an Astra with a counter. Inspect the weapon to see its rules before firing.
The Long Campaign adds campaign consequences to some weapons. Read the shown costs and warnings rather than assuming every Astra behaves the same way.
5. Know when to pass
Passing ends your plays for that round. Your opponent can keep playing until they also pass. When both sides have passed, compare their Power totals: more Power wins the round.
Win 2 out of 3 rounds to win the battle. A drawn round counts for neither side. If tied at 1 round each after 3 rounds, the side that won first takes the battle. Winning one round by a huge margin is not enough if you spend the cards you need later.
6. Learn from the battle
Open the Battle Log to see what happened and inspect linked cards and rules. In the Long Campaign, use the Warrior Camp to review offerings and prepare your next army.
Common questions
What is the difference between Power and Cost?
Power counts toward winning the round. Cost is what a card or weapon takes from your army's budget.
Why can I not play a particular card?
Its target, bearer or another requirement may be missing. Inspect the card and read the current on-screen hint for the legal next step.
Where can I practise?
Open Learn to Play from the game menu for guided lessons, or use Quickplay to face the computer.