Gamehelpcosmicritual - Revision history

FatalisDrake at 10:26, 21 July 2026

2026-07-21T10:26:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 21 July 2026
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	== Ritual Sacrifice ==		== Ritual Sacrifice ==

	Simultaneously bid the number of cultists you wish to sacrifice for the cycle. You place a bidding card from your hand faceup onto your bidding card stack. In turn order, you transfer cultists from your pool to your pyre equal to your bid to gain that much essence. Next cycle’s turn order is then determined as follows: the player with the highest bid goes ~~1st~~. If two or more players are tied, the player who is earliest in the current cycle’s turn order goes ~~1st~~. The remaining player positions are determined using the same rules.		Simultaneously bid the number of cultists you wish to sacrifice for the cycle. You place a bidding card from your hand faceup onto your bidding card stack. In turn order, you transfer cultists from your pool to your pyre equal to your bid to gain that much essence. Next cycle’s turn order is then determined as follows: the player with the highest bid goes first. If two or more players are tied, the player who is earliest in the current cycle’s turn order goes first. The remaining player positions are determined using the same rules.

	== Scheming ==		== Scheming ==

FatalisDrake at 10:26, 21 July 2026

2026-07-21T10:26:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 21 July 2026
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	== Phase Structure ==		== Phase Structure ==

	A cycle consists of 3 phases:		A cycle consists of three phases:

	'''1) Ritual Sacrifice'''		'''1) Ritual Sacrifice'''
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	== End of a Cycle ==		== End of a Cycle ==

	For cycles 1-5: Advance the current cycle token (clockwise) to the next action card in the inner ring and regain your cultists to your pool. If there are 3 bidding cards in your stack, draw all of those bidding cards into your hand.		For cycles 1-5: Advance the current cycle token (clockwise) to the next action card in the inner ring and regain your cultists to your pool. If there are three bidding cards in your stack, draw all of those bidding cards into your hand.

	== Scoring ==		== Scoring ==

	Commitment tokens indicate the row and column of the ritual site board you use to count tribute to the ''Omniscient Ones''. After the ~~6th~~ cycle, count your tribute as follows:		Commitment tokens indicate the row and column of the ritual site board you use to count tribute to the ''Omniscient Ones''. After the sixth cycle, count your tribute as follows:

	- For each colour, '''SUM''' your essence (including prophecies), unlocked leaves, and unlocked stars		- For each colour, '''SUM''' your essence (including prophecies), unlocked leaves, and unlocked stars

FatalisDrake at 17:19, 29 June 2026

2026-06-29T17:19:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 29 June 2026
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	== ~~Archetypes~~ ==		== Goal ==

	~~The game~~ is ~~designed~~ to ~~support tall, hybrid, or wide builds - meaning earning tribute from 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5 colours (respectively). Tall benefits from~~ ''~~Primordial Idol/Decreed~~'' and ~~efficient conversions, while wide prioritises prophecies from~~ ''~~Rift Through Time/Channel~~'' ~~and opportunistic~~ essence ~~placement. Don~~'~~t be afraid to pivot mid-game~~.		Each player is committed to both an ''Omniscient One'' and a ''Form of Essence''. Players will place essence on ritual sites corresponding to either the ''Omniscient Ones'' or ''Forms of Essence'' that were drafted during setup.

	~~== Bidding during Ritual Sacrifice ==~~		When committing to an ''Omniscient One'', you gain an ability unique to that ''Omniscient One'' that can be used every cycle. When committing to a ''Form of Essence'', you may pay costs in that colour with a nearby colour (or vice versa).

	Cultists do not automatically provide value. Carefully consider what actions you will actually activate. New players often underbid, which can lead to essence scarcity and a later position in the next cycle's turn order thereby suffering from action congestion.		== Phase Structure ==

	~~== Placing essence on Ritual Sites ==~~		A cycle consists of 3 phases:

	~~Remember that you will not earn tribute unless you have essence in the row of your committed~~ ''~~Form of Essence~~''~~. These placement windows can be short if you rely on Old Ways or Heralds, maybe lasting 2 cycles at most.~~ ''~~Planar Influence'' requires planning to execute but can ignore the cycle. This placement flexibility also applies to ''Primordial Idol/Decreed'' if you've unlocked the necessary leaves/stars.~~		'''1) Ritual Sacrifice'''

	~~Cycle manipulation is a powerful tool most players overlook. With wise sequencing you can recall~~ cultists ~~after activating outer blue/orange~~ actions~~, as many times as you can afford, then follow up with essence placement in virtually any colour~~.		Players manage their cultists in this phase, thus dictating their income and actions for the cycle. Turn order for the next cycle is determined here.

	~~== Managing essence ==~~		'''2) Scheming'''

	~~Each~~ action ~~costs at least 1~~ essence, ~~so factor~~ in the cultist you ~~could~~ sacrifice to ~~gain~~ 1 ~~more~~ essence ~~instead~~. ~~You have~~ to ~~spend essence~~ to ~~make essence count towards~~ your ~~tribute~~.		Players place their cultists on action cards to perform actions, thus executing their strategy.

	~~Outer actions are powerful but require a proper network~~ of ~~cultists on~~ the board - ~~even~~ ''~~Blood Rite/Convergence~~'' ~~break even if~~ you ~~spend~~ essence ~~to reach them~~. ~~This game~~ is ~~about translating speculation into profit~~.		'''3) End of a Cycle'''

			Clean-up phase in which you set up for the next cycle. Move the cycle marker to the next cycle space shown on the tracker. If this would move past the VI space, the game ends.

			== Ritual Sacrifice ==

			Simultaneously bid the number of cultists you wish to sacrifice for the cycle. You place a bidding card from your hand faceup onto your bidding card stack. In turn order, you transfer cultists from your pool to your pyre equal to your bid to gain that much essence. Next cycle’s turn order is then determined as follows: the player with the highest bid goes 1st. If two or more players are tied, the player who is earliest in the current cycle’s turn order goes 1st. The remaining player positions are determined using the same rules.

			== Scheming ==

			In turn order, place your remaining cultists on revealed action cards one at a time. You must be able to pay the cost of the space you place your cultist on; otherwise, you sacrifice that cultist and skip your action''.'' Every cultist you place must be connected to the ritual site board or action cards you occupy. To reach an outer action card, you may bypass an inner action card adjacent to it by paying 1 essence matching that inner action card. When a player’s action is skipped, they may convert 1 essence in their pool to a nearby colour or a colour with a star you've unlocked.

			== End of a Cycle ==

			For cycles 1-5: Advance the current cycle token (clockwise) to the next action card in the inner ring and regain your cultists to your pool. If there are 3 bidding cards in your stack, draw all of those bidding cards into your hand.

			== Scoring ==

			Commitment tokens indicate the row and column of the ritual site board you use to count tribute to the ''Omniscient Ones''. After the 6th cycle, count your tribute as follows:

			- For each colour, '''SUM''' your essence (including prophecies), unlocked leaves, and unlocked stars

			- Count a colour '''IF''' you have essence in its ritual site along the column of your committed ''Omniscient One'' (count it twice '''IF''' you have 2 essence there)

			- For each counted colour, count the sum '''UP TO''' the number of essence in ritual sites along the row of your committed ''Form of Essence''


			The player with the most tribute is crowned the winner. If there is a tie, tiebreakers are:

			1. Player with the most colours that count towards their tribute

			2. Player with the most essence on their ritual sites

			3. Earliest player in the next cycle’s turn order

			If no player has offered any tribute, then the ''Omniscient Ones'' fail to answer your plea and all players lose.

FatalisDrake at 15:22, 29 June 2026

2026-06-29T15:22:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 29 June 2026
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	Each action costs at least 1 essence, so factor in the cultist you could sacrifice to gain 1 more essence instead. You have to spend essence to make essence count towards your tribute.		Each action costs at least 1 essence, so factor in the cultist you could sacrifice to gain 1 more essence instead. You have to spend essence to make essence count towards your tribute.

	Outer actions are powerful but require a proper network of cultists on the board - even ''Blood Rite/Convergence'' break even if you spend essence to reach them. This game is about translating speculation into ~~good results~~.		Outer actions are powerful but require a proper network of cultists on the board - even ''Blood Rite/Convergence'' break even if you spend essence to reach them. This game is about translating speculation into profit.

FatalisDrake: 2nd Iteration

2026-06-29T15:21:05Z

2nd Iteration

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:21, 29 June 2026
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	== Archetypes ==		== Archetypes ==

	The game is designed to support tall, hybrid, or wide builds - meaning earning tribute from 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5 colours (respectively). Tall benefits from ''Primordial Idol/Decreed'' and efficient conversions, while wide prioritises prophecies from ''Rift Through Time/Channel'' and opportunistic essence placement.		The game is designed to support tall, hybrid, or wide builds - meaning earning tribute from 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5 colours (respectively). Tall benefits from ''Primordial Idol/Decreed'' and efficient conversions, while wide prioritises prophecies from ''Rift Through Time/Channel'' and opportunistic essence placement. Don't be afraid to pivot mid-game.

	== Bidding during Ritual Sacrifice ==		== Bidding during Ritual Sacrifice ==

	Cultists do not automatically provide value. Carefully consider what actions you will actually activate. New players often underbid, which can lead to essence scarcity and a later position in the next cycle's turn order.		Cultists do not automatically provide value. Carefully consider what actions you will actually activate. New players often underbid, which can lead to essence scarcity and a later position in the next cycle's turn order thereby suffering from action congestion.

	== Placing essence on Ritual Sites ==		== Placing essence on Ritual Sites ==

	Remember that you will not earn tribute unless you have essence in the row of your committed ''Form of Essence''. These placement windows can be short if you rely on Old Ways or Heralds, maybe lasting 2 cycles at most. ''Planar Influence'' requires planning to execute but can ignore the cycle. This placement flexibility also applies to ''Primordial Idol/Decreed'' if you unlocked the ~~required~~ leaves/stars.		Remember that you will not earn tribute unless you have essence in the row of your committed ''Form of Essence''. These placement windows can be short if you rely on Old Ways or Heralds, maybe lasting 2 cycles at most. ''Planar Influence'' requires planning to execute but can ignore the cycle. This placement flexibility also applies to ''Primordial Idol/Decreed'' if you've unlocked the necessary leaves/stars.

	Cycle manipulation is a powerful tool ~~here~~. With wise sequencing you can recall cultists after activating outer blue/orange actions, as many times as you can afford, then follow up with essence placement in ~~nearly~~ any colour.		Cycle manipulation is a powerful tool most players overlook. With wise sequencing you can recall cultists after activating outer blue/orange actions, as many times as you can afford, then follow up with essence placement in virtually any colour.

	== Managing essence ==		== Managing essence ==

	Each action costs at least 1 essence, so factor in the cultist you could ~~have~~ sacrifice to gain 1 more essence instead. You have to spend essence to make essence ~~contribute to~~ your tribute. Outer actions are powerful but require a proper network of cultists on the board - even ''Blood Rite/Convergence'' ~~only pay for themselves~~ if you spend essence to reach them.		Each action costs at least 1 essence, so factor in the cultist you could sacrifice to gain 1 more essence instead. You have to spend essence to make essence count towards your tribute.

			Outer actions are powerful but require a proper network of cultists on the board - even ''Blood Rite/Convergence'' break even if you spend essence to reach them. This game is about translating speculation into good results.

FatalisDrake: First Draft

2026-06-29T15:09:54Z

First Draft

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Goal ==
+== Archetypes ==
-Each player is committed to both an ''Omniscient One'' and a ''Form of Essence''. Players will place essence on ritual sites corresponding to either the ''Omniscient Ones'' or ''Forms of Essence'' that were drafted during setup.
+The game is designed to support tall, hybrid, or wide builds - meaning earning tribute from 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5 colours (respectively). Tall benefits from ''Primordial Idol/Decreed'' and efficient conversions, while wide prioritises prophecies from ''Rift Through Time/Channel'' and opportunistic essence placement.
-When committing to an ''Omniscient One'', you gain an ability unique to that ''Omniscient One'' that can be used every cycle. When committing to a ''Form of Essence'', you may pay costs in that colour with a nearby colour (or vice versa).
+== Bidding during Ritual Sacrifice ==
-== Phase Structure ==
+Cultists do not automatically provide value. Carefully consider what actions you will actually activate. New players often underbid, which can lead to essence scarcity and a later position in the next cycle's turn order.
-A cycle consists of 3 phases:
+== Placing essence on Ritual Sites ==
-'''1) Ritual Sacrifice'''
+Remember that you will not earn tribute unless you have essence in the row of your committed ''Form of Essence''. These placement windows can be short if you rely on Old Ways or Heralds, maybe lasting 2 cycles at most. ''Planar Influence'' requires planning to execute but can ignore the cycle. This placement flexibility also applies to ''Primordial Idol/Decreed'' if you unlocked the required leaves/stars.
-Players manage their cultists in this phase, thus dictating their income and actions for the cycle. Turn order for the next cycle is determined here.
+Cycle manipulation is a powerful tool here. With wise sequencing you can recall cultists after activating outer blue/orange actions, as many times as you can afford, then follow up with essence placement in nearly any colour.
-'''2) Scheming'''
+== Managing essence ==
-Players place their cultists on action cards to perform actions, thus executing their strategy.
+Each action costs at least 1 essence, so factor in the cultist you could have sacrifice to gain 1 more essence instead. You have to spend essence to make essence contribute to your tribute. Outer actions are powerful but require a proper network of cultists on the board - even ''Blood Rite/Convergence'' only pay for themselves if you spend essence to reach them.

FatalisDrake: /* Overview */

2026-06-29T14:13:16Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:13, 29 June 2026
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	~~== Overview ==~~

	'''''Cosmic Ritual''''' is a worker placement game in which you lead a cult tasked with establishing a new world order in the wake of the apocalypse. By preparing rituals and carefully scheming against competing cults, you devote yourself to an ''Omniscient One'' in order to persuade it to become humanity’s caretaker. Your goal is to summon an ''Omniscient One'' by paying the greatest tribute at the end of the 6th cycle. You’ll need all the influence and cunning at your disposal to usher in the next era!

	== Goal ==		== Goal ==

FatalisDrake: Version 5

2026-06-24T18:10:21Z

Version 5

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:10, 24 June 2026
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	== Overview ==		== Overview ==

	~~It is the end times. Humanity has foreseen this, however, and so we desperately call upon the ''Omniscient Ones''.~~ '''''Cosmic Ritual''''' is a worker placement game in which you lead a cult tasked with establishing a new world order in the wake of the apocalypse. By preparing rituals and carefully scheming against competing cults, you devote yourself to an ''Omniscient One'' in order to persuade it to become humanity’s caretaker. Your goal is to summon an ''Omniscient One'' by paying the greatest tribute at the end of the 6th cycle. You’ll need all the influence and cunning at your disposal to usher in the next era!		'''''Cosmic Ritual''''' is a worker placement game in which you lead a cult tasked with establishing a new world order in the wake of the apocalypse. By preparing rituals and carefully scheming against competing cults, you devote yourself to an ''Omniscient One'' in order to persuade it to become humanity’s caretaker. Your goal is to summon an ''Omniscient One'' by paying the greatest tribute at the end of the 6th cycle. You’ll need all the influence and cunning at your disposal to usher in the next era!

	== Goal ==		== Goal ==

	Each player is committed to both an ''Omniscient One'' and a ''Form of Essence''. Players will place essence on ritual sites corresponding to either the ''Omniscient Ones'' or ''Forms of Essence'' that were ~~chosen~~ during setup.		Each player is committed to both an ''Omniscient One'' and a ''Form of Essence''. Players will place essence on ritual sites corresponding to either the ''Omniscient Ones'' or ''Forms of Essence'' that were drafted during setup.

	When committing to an ''Omniscient One'', you gain an ability unique to that ''Omniscient One'' that can be used every cycle. When committing to a ''Form of Essence'', you may pay costs in that colour with a nearby colour (or vice versa).		When committing to an ''Omniscient One'', you gain an ability unique to that ''Omniscient One'' that can be used every cycle. When committing to a ''Form of Essence'', you may pay costs in that colour with a nearby colour (or vice versa).
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	== Ritual Sacrifice ==		== Ritual Sacrifice ==

	Simultaneously bid the number of cultists you wish to sacrifice for the cycle. You place a bidding card from your hand faceup onto your bidding card stack. In turn order, you transfer cultists from your pool to your pyre equal to your bid to gain that much essence ~~or commit to an ''Omniscient One''/''Form of Essence''~~. Next cycle’s turn order is then determined as follows: the player with the highest bid goes 1st. If two or more players are tied, the player who is earliest in the current cycle’s turn order goes 1st. The remaining player positions are determined using the same rules.		Simultaneously bid the number of cultists you wish to sacrifice for the cycle. You place a bidding card from your hand faceup onto your bidding card stack. In turn order, you transfer cultists from your pool to your pyre equal to your bid to gain that much essence. Next cycle’s turn order is then determined as follows: the player with the highest bid goes 1st. If two or more players are tied, the player who is earliest in the current cycle’s turn order goes 1st. The remaining player positions are determined using the same rules.

	== Scheming ==		== Scheming ==
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	- Count a colour '''IF''' you have essence in its ritual site along the column of your committed ''Omniscient One'' (count it twice '''IF''' you have 2 essence there)		- Count a colour '''IF''' you have essence in its ritual site along the column of your committed ''Omniscient One'' (count it twice '''IF''' you have 2 essence there)

	- For each counted colour, count the sum '''UP TO''' the number of essence in ritual sites along		- For each counted colour, count the sum '''UP TO''' the number of essence in ritual sites along the row of your committed ''Form of Essence''

	the row of your committed ''Form of Essence''

FatalisDrake: Version 4

2026-06-24T18:06:58Z

Version 4

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 24 June 2026
Line 59:		Line 59:

	If no player has offered any tribute, then the ''Omniscient Ones'' fail to answer your plea and all players lose.		If no player has offered any tribute, then the ''Omniscient Ones'' fail to answer your plea and all players lose.

	~~== Actions ==~~

	~~=== Inner Actions ===~~

	~~Describe the six inner actions here.~~

	~~=== Outer Actions ===~~

	~~Describe the twelve outer actions here.~~

FatalisDrake: Version 3

2026-06-24T18:01:31Z

Version 3

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 == Goal ==
-Score the most tribute by preparing rituals, collecting essence, unlocking forms, and fulfilling prophecies.
+Each player is committed to both an ''Omniscient One'' and a ''Form of Essence''. Players will place essence on ritual sites corresponding to either the ''Omniscient Ones'' or ''Forms of Essence'' that were chosen during setup.
 == Phase Structure ==
@@ Line 35: / Line 37: @@
 For cycles 1-5: Advance the current cycle token (clockwise) to the next action card in the inner ring and regain your cultists to your pool. If there are 3 bidding cards in your stack, draw all of those bidding cards into your hand.
-== Player Boards ==
+== Scoring ==
-Each player has:
+. Earliest player in the next cycle’s turn order
-* Essence
+If no player has offered any tribute, then the ''Omniscient Ones'' fail to answer your plea and all players lose.
 == Actions ==
@@ Line 55: / Line 69: @@
 Describe the twelve outer actions here.