Lumina Vault – Rulebook
Overview – How to Play
In Lumina Vault, 2–4 players become elite Lumina-Researchers—renegade scientists and xenobiologists racing to master the secrets of Lumina, a mysterious energy found only within the most extraordinary lifeforms of distant worlds.
On your turn, you will take one of three core actions:
Collect DNA Samples from colorful vials, or harness a Dark Crystal.
Acquire a Creature to add to your Vault, gaining permanent DNA bonuses and Lumina Points.
Unleash a Lumina Power from one of your creatures to gain an advantage over your rivals.
Creatures in your Vault are more than trophies—they strengthen your DNA collection, grant points toward victory, and may wield powers that can turn the tide of the game.
The first Lumina-Researcher to reach 15 Lumina Points triggers the final round.
When the game ends, the player with the highest score will be revered as the one who unlocked Lumina’s ultimate mysteries.
Elegant, strategic, and easy to learn—Lumina Vault is a captivating contest of science, ambition, and fantasy wonder.
Components
90 Creature Cards – divided into 3 Tiers (Levels 1–3).
DNA Tokens (40 total):
8 × Lithari (Yellow)
8 × Hydranai (Blue)
8 × Floraborai (Green)
8 × Pyronoxi (Red)
8 × Spectarioni (Violet)
Dark Crystals × 6
Setup
Step 1 – Prepare Creature Decks
Sort Creature Cards into 3 decks by Tier (identified by card background).
Shuffle each deck separately.
Stack decks face-down in vertical order: Tier 1 at the bottom, Tier 2 in the middle, Tier 3 on top.
Step 2 – Create the Wild Field
Flip 4 cards face-up from each Tier and place them beside their respective decks.
These 12 cards form the Wild Field — the pool of creatures available for acquisition.
Note: Do not apply On Reveal effects during setup.
Step 3 – Organize the DNA Bank
Place all DNA Tokens and Dark Crystals in separate piles within reach of all players.
Step 4 – Choose a Starting Player
The youngest player begins. Play proceeds clockwise.
Gameplay
Each turn has two phases:
Phase 1 – Replenish the Wild Field
At the start of your turn:
If a Tier has fewer than 4 face-up cards, draw from its deck until it has 4.
Immediately trigger any On Reveal effects of the newly revealed cards, in the order revealed.
Skip a Tier if it already has 4 cards or its deck is empty.
Phase 2 – Take One Action
Choose exactly one of the following:
Core Actions
- Field Sampling – Collect Diverse DNA
Take 3 DNA Tokens of different colors from the DNA Bank. - Focused Extraction – Specialize in a Single Type
Take 2 DNA Tokens of the same color (only if at least 4 tokens of that color remain in the DNA Bank). - Harness Dark Energy – Claim a Dark Crystal
Take 1 Dark Crystal from the DNA Bank. - Unleash a Lumina Power – Activate a Creature’s Ability
Pay the cost (DNA Tokens or Dark Crystals) to trigger a Lumina Power from a creature in your Vault.
DNA Bonuses from your creatures cannot be used to pay for Lumina Powers. - Attract a New Specimen – Claim a Creature from the Wild Field
Pay the required DNA Tokens and/or Dark Crystals.
Apply DNA Bonuses from your Vault to reduce the cost.
Place the new creature in your Vault, overlapping it so the DNA Bonus remains visible.
Resolve any On Claim effects.
Token Rules
You may never have more than 10 tokens (DNA + Dark Crystals combined) at the end of your turn.
If you exceed this limit, return tokens of your choice to the DNA Bank until you have 10.
All tokens must remain visible to all players.
You cannot take 2 of the same DNA type unless at least 4 tokens of that color remain in the DNA Bank.
DNA Bonuses
Each creature grants a permanent DNA bonus of its own color.
Bonuses reduce the cost of acquiring new creatures of the same color.
Bonuses cannot be spent like tokens and cannot be used to pay for Lumina Powers.
With enough bonuses, you may acquire a creature for free.
End Game & Victory
When a player reaches 15 Lumina Points, they trigger the final round.
Continue playing until every player has taken the same number of turns.
The player with the highest total Lumina Points wins and is revered as the one who unlocked Lumina’s ultimate mysteries.
In case of a tie, the player with fewer creature cards in their Vault wins.
General Rules
If an action cannot be completed, ignore it. If it can be partially completed, complete only the part that is possible.
If a requirement for an action cannot be fulfilled, the action cannot be taken.
If a rule in this rulebook conflicts with a card, follow the card’s instructions.
Glossary
Creature – Each playable card in the game. They provide a DNA Bonus, may provide Lumina Points and have some kind of Effect.
Unless stated otherwise, when revealing a creature, immediately resolve its On Reveal effect, if any. Discarding creatures means shuffling them into their Tier deck.
Lumina Points – Your score; earned by acquiring certain creatures.
Vault – Your personal collection of creatures.
Wild Field – The public display of face-up creatures available to claim.
DNA Tokens – The game currency. Used to acquire creatures, execute Lumina Powers and can be discarded by several effects. Discarding tokens means returning them to the DNA Bank.
Dark Crystals – A wildcard that can replace any DNA Token when acquiring creatures. They can not be used when paying for Lumina Powers or discarded instead of a DNA Token.
DNA Bonus – A permanent cost reduction in one DNA color for acquiring creatures.
On Reveal Effect – An effect triggered when a card is turned face-up from a deck.
On Claim Effect – An effect triggered when a creature is acquired.
Lumina Power – A special ability that can be activated from a creature in your Vault after paying a DNA Cost.