How to Play

Master the cards. Outsmart your opponents. Be the last one standing.

The Basics

Players: 2-4 players (vs AI or Steam multiplayer)

Starting HP: 20 for each player

Deck: 52 cards shared between all players (13 Rock, 13 Paper, 13 Scissors, 13 Spells)

Goal: Be the last player with health remaining

Play at Home

You can play Rock, Paper, Scissors: Survival at home for free with a standard 52-card deck. Just map the suits:

Clubs= 13 Rock cards

Spades= 13 Paper cards

Diamonds= 13 Scissors cards

Hearts= 13 Spell cards

Spell breakdown:

Ace = Meteor Swarm · 2, 3, 4 = Shield · 5, 6, 7 = Mirror

8, 9 = Wild · 10, J = Healing Potion · Q, K = Magic Missile

Round Flow

Each player is dealt five cards from the shared deck.

Every player simultaneously plays one card face-down.

Cards are revealed and damage is calculated for each matchup.

Players at 0 HP are eliminated, remaining players continue.

Repeat until one player remains. They win!

Attack Cards

The classic triangle. Rock beats Scissors, Scissors beats Paper, Paper beats Rock. But each card deals different damage.

Rock

3 DMG

A-K of Clubs

Crushes Scissors for 3 damage.

Beaten by Paper.

Paper

1 DMG

A-K of Spades

Covers Rock for 1 damage.

Beaten by Scissors.

Scissors

2 DMG

A-K of Diamonds

Cuts Paper for 2 damage.

Beaten by Rock.

Spell Cards

13 spell cards that break the rules. Shields block damage, Mirrors reflect it, and Meteor Swarm hits everyone. Use them wisely.

Meteor Swarm

4 DMG

Ace of Hearts

Deals 4 damage to EVERY player, including yourself. The tactical nuke.

Shield

2, 3, 4 of Hearts

Blocks all incoming damage this round.

Mirror

5, 6, 7 of Hearts

Reflects your opponent's damage back at them.

Wild

8, 9 of Hearts

Beats all basic attack cards. Deals the damage of whatever it counters.

Healing Potion

10, Jack of Hearts

Heals 2 HP for each opponent who attacks you this round.

Magic Missile

2 DMG

Queen, King of Hearts

Deals 2 damage ignoring Rock-Paper-Scissors rules. Always hits, always hurts.

Damage Table

Matchup	Winner	Damage
Rock vs Scissors	Rock	3
Scissors vs Paper	Scissors	2
Paper vs Rock	Paper	1
Same vs Same	Tie	0

Strategy Tips

•Rock deals the most damage (3) but is countered by the weakest card (Paper, 1 damage). High risk, high reward.
•Shield is powerful but limited to 3 in the deck. Track when opponents have used theirs.
•Mirror punishes aggressive players. If your opponent loves Rock, Mirror sends that 3 damage right back.
•Meteor Swarm hits everyone including you. Use it when you have a health advantage.
•In 3-4 player games, every opponent resolves against you separately. Defensive cards become more valuable.