1. Draw
Draw 3 cards. Play any Effective Immediately cards you draw… immediately.Identified by their yellow border.
If the Main Deck runs out, shuffle the discard pile to form a new Main Deck.
How toPlay
You are a Skate Boss building a team of skaters, but rival bosses want to take your Jobs. Boost your team with Moves and throw Shade at the competition! When all Jobs are claimed, the boss with the most Job Points wins.
Game Setup
- 1Separate the Job and Effective Immediately cards from the Main Deck.
- 2Shuffle the Jobs and place them face down in the center.
- 3Shuffle the Main Deck and deal 10 cards to each player.
- 4Everyone may build up to 3 skaters from their hand. Each skater needs exactly 1 Top and 1 Bottom.
- 5Shuffle the Effective Immediately cards into the remaining Main Deck.
- 6Choose a starting player and reveal the first Job.
2. Build
Build skaters from your hand. 3 is the maximum you can have out at any time. Each skater needs 1 Top and 1 Bottom.
Matching Style +2A matching Top and Bottom earns +2 points.
Mixed StylesNo bonus, but eligible for more Jobs.
3. Audition
Choose one or more skaters to audition for the current Job, or end your turn. If you do not audition, the Job stays face up and play passes clockwise.
To audition
- on individual skaters to increase their points, match the Job's Style, or both.
- Each auditioning skater must have a Top, Bottom, or Move matching the Job's Style, shown by its color.
- Your auditioning skaters' combined points must meet or exceed the point requirement shown on the Job card.
Announce your auditioning skaters and their total points. You’re now the top pick!
4. Battle
Other players may challenge you using skaters they already have built.
To challenge
- Choose one or more skaters and play any Moves on them individually.
- Each competing skater must have a Top, Bottom, or Move matching the Job’s Style.
- Their combined points must meet the Job’s point requirement and exceed the top pick’s total.
A successful challenger becomes the new top pick. Players may continue challenging, adding Moves, and playing Shade or Little Miracle cards as their instructions allow.
Whoever declares an action first gets to act first. Resolve each action before starting another, unless a card allows a direct response.
Going once, going twice, done!
When no one wants to take another action, the top pick says, “Going once, going twice, done!” If no one acts before “done,” the top pick wins the Job.
5. End
If no one wins the Job, it stays on top.
If a Job was won
- The winner places the Job in their Job Pile.
- Discard the winning skaters, including their Tops and Bottoms.
- Discard all Moves and Shade played, unless a card says otherwise.
- Reveal the next Job.
The next player starts their turn.
Special Cards
Shade & Little Miracle
Play these powerful cards strategically when their instructions allow. Follow the text on the card.
Effective Immediately
Whenever you draw one, reveal it, announce “Effective Immediately!”, and follow its instructions.
If multiple cards are drawn, resolve them in order. Keep ongoing effects face up where everyone can see them.
Most Job Points Wins!
When all 13 Jobs have been claimed, add up your Job Points. Most points wins!
Tied? The player with the most Job cards wins. Still tied? Whoever went roller skating most recently wins.
FAQ
Can I swap tops and bottoms after building?
No, unless a card specifically allows it. (For example, there is a job card that allows the winner of that job to swap skates on any two skaters).
Can I have more than 3 skaters on my team?
Generally speaking, no. However, there are exceptions. Skaters that join your team via A Little Miracle do not count towards your normal three skaters... (Fun Fact: It is actually possible to have a team of 4 or 5 skaters... though it is extremely rare to be able to pull off.)
Can I tie the top pick's totall?
No, during a battle any challenging skate teams need to beat the top pick's skill points total. If a tie occurs because shade was thrown, the team who had that number of points first will be considered the top pick.
Do moves stay on skaters?
Only while an audition is taking place. Once a turn is complete, all move cards (along with shade and little miracle cards) get discarded.
Can I play multiple moves on a skater?
Absolutely, yes. You can play multiple moves at once and you can add moves to a skater even after some time has passed during an audition.
Is there a prioity of turn during an audition or battle?
Not a standardized one. The player who speaks first, gets priority.. so think fast!
Can I go for multiple Jobs in one turn?
No, unless the Battle It Out Effective Immediately card is drawn. Resolve its battle, then resume the turn.
Are the characters in the game real people?
Some of them are! Check out our blogs to meet them!
Do people still roller skate?
Um... YES! Roller skating is thriving in many way and there are dozens of styles to choose from. If you haven't visted your local rink recently, give it a try! You can even call ahead and see if they have any type of classes or private lessons available if you are a bit nervous about it.
Can I build skaters anytime?
No, you can only build skaters at the start of your turn during the BUILD phase.
If I can build a skater, do I have to?
Nope, you can keep them in your hand if you want to. That may be especially wise if you have a Carpool card in hand.
How do the magical disco skates work?
In order to benefit from the power of the magical disco skates, you need to build a skater with them. You will be able to draw your extra cards stating on your next turn and onward as long as you have a skater on your team wearing the skates. Lose the skates, loose the ability.
Is if ok to tell other people what I have in my hand?
It really depends, but if you are desperate for Tops or Bottoms, sometimes letting other players know can open up opportunities to trade or collaborate... There are cards in the deck that prompt players to exchange cards.
What if at the end of the game, there is a tie?
Well, there will just have to be two winners. That's not such a bad thing.
What if I am stuck with a really bad hand?
Ah, that is a bummer. Double check that you don't have any Little Miracle or Shade cards. Sometimes even when you don't have any skaters out, throwing shade is a fun way to pass the time.
Is there a bonus if the Move card is in the same style as the skater?
No. The bonus from matching styles only applies when the skater top and bottom match and they are a specialist.
What if the skates have zero points?
You still use them to build a skater, they just do not add to the skater's skill points.
What are all the different points? I'm confused...
When we talk about points in Skate Boss, we are either refering to Skill Points or Job Points. Skill Points will be on Tops, Bottoms and Move cards. Job Points will be on Job Cards. Some shade and effective immediately cards will refer to these. Just read the yellow text carefully to determine which points they are refering to.
If my hand is terrible, can I mulligan (get a new hand)?
If it is your hand from during the setup phase, then yes. Otherwise, we say, "no"... but check with your host on the house rules!
When do I use Moves?
Moves are used when auditioning for a job to increae a skaters skill point total. They are useful when getting a skater or team of skaters to qualify for a job or become the top pick during an audition battle.
Can I build skaters during a Battle It Out?
No, even if it is your turn. Battle It Out is an Effective Immediately card, which means the game's standard turn pauses while the Battle It Out gets resolved. You can only buid skaters during the Build phase of your turn OR if you play a Carpool card.