THE RULES

A Frozen Grim cannot choose its higher base damage Attack on its next Turn’s Action or otherwise when it Attacks next. If inflicted as a Reaction in response to its higher base damage Attack, the Attack is Hindered. The Frozen Grim will regain its Stamina and redeclare its Action. Freeze clears after the Frozen Grim completes a Turn or otherwise Attacks.

The Attack damage from a Burned Grim’s next Attack is halved. If inflicted as a Reaction, the currently declared Attack’s damage is halved. Burn clears after the affected Attack resolves, even if the Target is Immune.

A Rooted Grim’s Bond Cards immediately bounce back to its player’s hand. If no Bond Cards are attached when Rooted, the next attached will bounce to hand. If inflicted as a Reaction to an Attack declaring Elemental damage based on an Element that has been bounced to hand, the Attack is Hindered. The Rooted Grim will regain its Stamina and redeclare its Action. Root clears as soon as a Bond Card is bounced to hand.

After a Grappled Grim resolves its next Attack, but before Synergy triggers, one half of the calculated Attack damage will be dealt to the Grappled Grim’s Ally. If inflicted as a Reaction, this effect applies to the currently declared Attack. Grapple clears after the affected Attack is resolved, even if the Target is Immune.

Paralysis works differently when inflicted as a Reaction and when not. When not inflicted as a Reaction, the Paralyzed Grim’s next Turn will occur in the Paralysis Phase. The affected Grim should not spend its Stamina until the Attack lands in the Paralysis Phase. If inflicted as a Reaction, the currently declared Attack is paused and resolves in the Paralysis Phase. If Paralysis is Cured or replaced with another Status, the Attack will resolve immediately. If the Attack is Hindered (Target is no longer present or Element used for damage is no longer present), the Paralyzed Grim will redeclare the same Attack. Paralysis clears after the affected Turn or Attack resolves.

NOTE: The Reaction and non-Reaction effects are separated intentionally. If you encounter the rare situation in which your Grim is Paralyzed as a Reaction when declaring an Attack that is not its Turn’s Action, only that Attack will be delayed to the Paralysis Phase, and that Grim will still carry out its Turn in normal course.

Also note that in some instances, a Grim’s Paralysis Phase Turn (or resolution step) will never come (see, Lunar Wing or Theseus Bud Passives). If your Grim is Paralyzed as a Reaction, your suspended Attack will always resolve by the end of the Round, so if your place is skipped before the Round ends, resolve the Attack and clear the Paralysis at the end of the Round. If multiple effects happen at the end of the Round, remember to carry them out in Speed order.

A Thrown Grim cannot choose to Attack as its Action on its next Turn. This effect does not prohibit Attacks gained in other ways. Throw clears after the Thrown Grim’s next Turn.

In a Grim’s turn, its last step. Actions to be chosen from are Attack, Heal, and Swap. An Action must be declared, then carried out in a specific order of operations set forth in the rules above.

An Action that a Grim may choose on its Turn. Each Grim Card has two Attack boxes shown on the card, one of lower and one of higher base damage. Either can be used so long as the Grim as sufficient Stamina to use it (1/2 of base damage listed on the card). Targeted Grim may use Reactions to Attacks.

A terrain effect card that rotates each Round, chosen by the player that has Fiend’s Favor. Each Afterworld benefits one Element and detriments the Element that it’s weak to (e.g., the Fire Empire benefits Fire Grim and detriments Water Grim). At the end of a Round, or when an Afterworld is replaced, the Afterworld is discarded to a special Afterworld discard pile. Afterworlds can be revived to the Afterworld Deck via certain express mechanics.

The Banished are cards derived from a player’s opponent’s banned decks from the Pick-Ban Phase. Players must draw one Banished when one of their Grim is knocked out. When a player has no more Banished to pull from and they suffer a Knockout, they lose the game.

Elements and Spirits which combined make up the Bond Deck. Players draw from the Bond Deck throughout the match.

The term used to describe the intentional dissipation of a Status. Curing is the natural result of any Healing. Curing may also occur due to Synergy Effect, Passive, or other mechanic.

There are 11 Elements. Each has its own mechanical leanings (e.g., Healing, Stamina gain, draw power, extra Attacks, etc.). The Element shown at the bottom of each Grim Card is its “primary Element” and can be used to launch either Attack shown on the Grim Card. Attached Elements (Bond Cards) can also be used to launch the same Attacks. Grim can only have one Element Card attached at a time unless a mechanic expressly says otherwise.

The designation that a player has each Round that provides: (1) 0.5 additional Speed; (2) the ability to choose the Afterworld for the Round; and (3) the ability to search for a Grim from their Grim Decks before the Round begins.

A creature used in battle, 4 of which are active at a time. Grim Decks are made up of 10 Grim and each relate to a specific Element. Grim can also be discarded from your hand when one of your active Grim is targeted with in Attack to cause its Element’s Status. Each Grim has a Health, Speed, two Attacks, and a Passive. All Grim enter play with 5 Stamina by default.

An Action that a Grim may choose on its Turn or a free effect from Synergy that results in gaining Health. The Grim may expend any amount of available Stamina and attached Bond Cards to Heal 1-to-1. Any Healing Cures all Status. You cannot choose this Action if you are unable to Heal (e.g., at 20 Health). The process of gaining Health is what clears Status--you cannot Heal for 0 Health (even by Synergy) to Cure Status.

A value displayed on the Tracker for each Grim. Health is shown on each Grim Card in the top left. When a Grim’s Health reaches zero, it is knocked out and discarded to Limbo with all attached Bond Cards.

Attacks can be Hindered by several methods, but all result in one of three outcomes: (1) the Grim that the Attack is targeting is no longer on the field; (2) the Attack itself can no longer be used (for example, as a result of Freeze); or (3) the Element that the Attacking Grim is using to Attack is no longer available to that Grim. In any case of Hindering, the Grim that declared the Attack regains its Stamina and re-declares. Usually the Grim will re-declare any Action, however Paralysis requires re-declaration of an Attack. Reactions that cause Immunity do not Hinder.

The condition by which a Grim does not take damage from an oncoming Attack because of some effect, usually as a result of an Element Reaction (e.g., oncoming Fire damage Attack, targeted Grim reacts by attaching a Water Element). When a Grim is Immune to an Attack, no damage is done and no Synergy Effect triggers. The Attacking Grim does not regain Stamina.

The result of a Grim’s Health reaching zero and it being sent to the Limbo with all attached Bond Cards. When a Grim is knocked out, its player must draw one card from their Banished Pile. If they have no Banished remaining when they suffer a Knockout, they lose the match.

The Paralysis Phase occurs at the end of a Round and only applies in certain circumstances (e.g., Grim are Paralyzed or the Wind Utopia forces Electric Grim Turns to the Paralysis Phase). Within the Paralysis Phase, Grim that are forced into it (like Paralyzed Grim) take their turns in highest to lowest Speed order. This can be thought of like a negative priority Speed bracket; all Grim unaffected by conditions that would force them into the Paralysis Phase will take their turns first, then all remaining Grim do the same in the Paralysis Phase.

A continuously active effect listed at the bottom of every Grim Card that may trigger when conditional language is fulfilled.

The pre-game process by which players choose and ban Grim Decks more fully described in the rules above.

The card provided to players that displays Status effects on one side and Spirit Bonuses on the other.

The optional step that an opponent may take when targeted with an Attack. Targeted Grim may use a Reaction in one of two ways: (1) by placing an Element on itself (which may, but does not need to, impact damage calculation); or (2) by revealing and discarding a Grim to cause its primary Element’s related Status.

This term is used in mechanics that allow you to “Replace” the Afterworld. In these situations, you are expected to place the active Afterworld into the discard pile and put a new Afterworld into play. You may only choose from the available non-discarded Afterworlds unless text states otherwise.

This term is used when you “Revive” an Afterworld from discard. In these situations, you do not change the active Afterworld. You simply take a discarded Afterworld and add it to the deck of available non-discarded Afterworlds.

Under normal conditions, a Round consists of all Grim taking their turns from fastest to slowest. Once the slowest Grim has completed its turn, the Round ends. In certain circumstances, for example when Grim are Paralyzed or the Wind Utopia and Electric Grim are active, there is an additional Paralysis Phase in the Round.

A value shown on each Grim Card in the top right. Active Grim take Turns from highest to lowest according to their displayed Speed. Fiend’s Favor grants 0.5 to Speed. Thus, with 10 unique speeds and “high” and “low” rungs within each Speed due to Fiend’s Favor, there are effectively 20 unique Speed tiers. There are technically additional Speeds to check when Grim are forced into the Paralysis Phase.

A Bond Card that may be attached to a Grim. Attaching 3 Spirit Cards to a Grim will immediately trigger a Spirit Bonus.

An instant benefit that is triggered by attaching three Spirit Cards to a single Grim. There is a Spirit Bonus related to each Element, and the Grim that triggers a Spirit Bonus may choose the Spirit Bonus related to its primary Element or its attached Element, as applicable. The Spirit Bonuses are displayed on the Player Guide.

A resource displayed on the Tracker for each Grim. All Grim enter play with 5 Stamina by default. Each Grim gains 2 Stamina at the beginning of its Turn. Grim may expend Stamina to do Actions. Refer to Attack, Heal, and Swap for more information.

A condition that is inflicted by some mechanic that relates to a specific Element. Each Element has a related Status (e.g., Burn for Fire, Freeze for Water), and their effects are detailed on the Player Guide. Statuses naturally dissipate upon triggering the conditional language included in their descriptions, or when Cured by Healing or another mechanic.

An Action that a Grim may choose on its Turn. If the Grim is not at or above full Health, and it can expend a combination of attached Bond Cards and Stamina to Heal to full Health, it may switch places (Swap) with a Grim in the player’s hand. Any unspent attached Bond Cards will attach to the newly placed Grim. The newly placed Grim will not get a turn within the round unless it is slower than the Grim that most recently began its Turn.

The Grim being targeted with an Attack.

Each Grim takes a Turn within each Round in Speed order. Turns are an ordered process of: (1) gaining 2 Stamina; (2) drawing a Bond Card or Grim Card; (3) placing a Bond Card; (4) declaring an Action (Attack, Swap, Heal); and (5) resolving any other mechanics before or after that Action.

How are numbers rounded in GRIM?

Always round up. The only minor exception is Fiend's Favor, which we sometimes colloquially say adds 0.5 Speed to your Grim. When using Speed values to calculate something, it does not round up.

How is Attack damage calculated when you're hitting two Targets?

Each Attack is dealt with separately (each a declared Attack), so there are two "calculated Attack damages" involved. If the Opponent inflicts Grapple as a Reaction to a spread Attack like this, they must declare which Target Grim is using the Reaction, so it only applies to one of those damage calcs.

When hitting two Targets, does Synergy proc twice?

No, Synergy Effects always proc once, and there is often reminder text on Synergy Effects that state this. Note that some Synergies apply to "each Target," which will impact the Target(s) of the Attack, and other apply to "both enemy Grim" or "an enemy Grim," which do not care about the Target of the Attack.

What does "calculated Attack damage" refer to?

This refers to the damage done by a single Attack. GRIM has two forms of damage: (1) Attack damage (often called calculated Attack damage); and (2) Deal damage (often prompted with "deal X damage" to a Grim). Calculated Attack damage is the full calculation of a single Attack, which may include modifiers from the Afterworld, Passives, Synergy, and Elements.


If you’re Hindered, does regaining Stamina count as a Stamina gain for the purpose of Water World? What about when you steal Stamina?

Stamina “regains” do not apply, but stealing does. The regain function is a way of reflecting that you never spent the Stamina in the first place.

When a mechanic allows me to draw a card and trigger an effect based on it, do I have to reveal it?

Yes, but only if that effect triggers. For example, if the Sweet Wraith draws from the top of Limbo and it is not a Spirit, meaning it will not get to deal 3 damage based on that draw, you do not need to reveal it. But to trigger the effect, you must reveal it.

What decks are public information?

Anything face-up is public information, anything face-down is not. This means Limbo, the discard, is not public information. Afterworlds (including this discard) are public information.

When does a Status go away (clear)?

Status will naturally clear when (1) its condition resolves (see the gold text on your Player Guide), or (2) the Statused Grim Heals.

Can a Grim be inflicted with more than one Status? Can a Status replace itself?

No, a new Status will always replace an old Status. Yes, a Status can replace itself. This can lead the following situation: assume your Grim declared an Attack and was Paralyzed. That Attack as declared is suspended until the Paralysis Phase. Now imagine that another mechanic Paralyzes that Grim again. The first Paralysis will clear, thus launching the Attack early. After, that Grim will be Paralyzed for the next Round.

Can Grapple remove Synergy?

No. It's common it think this because Grapple damage triggers before Synergy procs. However, the default rule is that an Attack will trigger as declared (including with Synergy as declared) unless Hindered. This means that if you declared an Attack with Synergy, it will always resolve with Synergy regardless of what happens in the interim (with the sole exceptions being Blindness, which would negate that declared Synergy, and your Grim being knocked out, because no effect trigger from Limbo).

What happens if I have Synergy on my Attack, but my Grim is knocked out to Confusion before Synergy procs?

No effects will trigger from Limbo, so in this case Synergy will not proc. Consider a similar case where a Grim declares an Attack and in knocked out from a Status Reaction in the Poison Rapture (taking 3 damage when inflicted when a Status). In this case, it also seems reasonable that the Attack would not continue from Limbo.

Can Blindness Hinder an Attack?

No, because losing Synergy doesn’t Hinder an Attack. Hindering only happens when (1) your target is no longer on the field; (2) your Element for damage is no longer usable/present; or (3) your selected Attack cannot be declared. This question may come up if you declared an Attack with Synergy that allows you to target both enemy Grim. If so, notice that none of the Hinder requirements are applicable (the Targets are still on the field). Therefore, the Attack will resolve as declared while the Blindness removes your Synergy as part of that declaration, forcing you to choose one Target.

If my Earth Grim declares an Attack in the Earth Haven against both enemy Grim, then my Grim is Paralyzed as a Reaction, and the Earth Haven is replaced before the Paralysis Phase, do I still hit both Targets?

This is a great question that pulls together several FAQs. The answer is yes, you still hit both Targets as long as they're both on the field still, and here's the logic: (1) Attacks will resolve as declared unless Hindered. Hindering is (A) losing your Element supporting damage; (B) no longer being able to choose the selected Attack; or (C) a Target no longer being on the field by the time your Attack resolves. Here, assuming you still have your Element, you haven't been Frozen, and your Targets are both still on the field, your Attack has not been Hindered, so it resolves as declared. Importantly, note that Paralysis does not stop your Attack and force you to redeclare in the Paralysis Phase--it suspends the declaration and resolves it as declared (i.e., you are not re-declaring). Because the Earth Haven was there at the declaration step, you will hit both Targets. This can be analogized to a common question of "can you lose Synergy?" The answer to that is no, unless you are Blinded. If Synergy is there when declared, it resolves with it, just like this example.

Do I have to attach Bonds in a specific order?

Yes, chronologically. Ghost mechanics will sometime rely on having certain cards at the top of Limbo, so the way you attach them is important. When discarding, simply flip your whole stack, collapse it, and place it in Limbo (your Grim should be on the bottom and your last attached card on top).

Can you have more than one Light Spirit Bonus?

Yes, you can have as many as you please. Note that when the Light Element goes away, you will need to choose new Spirit Bonuses, and they may end up being duplicative, thus making one irrelevant (e.g., two Dark Spirit Bonuses).

How does the Light Spirit Bonus work?

The Light Spirit Bonus allows you to maintain your attached Spirits to prevent all Reactions to that Grim's Attacks. Note that the necessary condition for a Spirit Bonus is 3 Spirits, so falling below that number will remove the Light Spirit Bonus. Also note that losing the Light Elements will invalidate the Spirit Bonus, forcing you to trigger a new Spirit Bonus based on your current Element makeup (and discard the Spirits given that you would be choosing a new non-Light Spirit Bonus). Finally, note that Grim do not pass Spirit Bonuses on when they Swap, and that is also true of the Light Spirit Bonus. However, if your Grim has an active Light Spirit Bonus and it Swaps into another Grim, that new Grim newly attaches all of those Spirits and may newly choose a Spirit Bonus. Assuming the Light Element is still in play, it can be that, but it can also be another bonus.

What does it mean to move Elements in the Psychic Spirit Bonus?

This simple means to take Elements from Grim and place them on different Grim. It does not allow you to force any to Limbo or to a player's hand.

What is the priority when multiple Grim have effects at the same time (e.g., End of Round, Beginning of Round)?

In these cases, effects are triggered in Speed order from high to low just as is the case with Turn order.

What does "before this Grim's Action" mean in a Passive?

This means you can trigger this effect at any time before the Grim's Action within its Turn. The Turn begins when you gain Stamina.

How does Paralysis interact with the Wind Utopia?

Paralyzed Grim move to the Paralysis Phase; Electric Grim move to the Paralysis Phase in the Wind Utopia. These are synonymous effects that do not stack in any way. They simply both achieve the same result.

In what order do I resolve an Attack against both enemy Grim?

Generally speaking, the Attack chooses which comes first in time, so to speak (they are effectively simultaneous). An exception to this is when the Opponent is reacting to inflict a Status--that player will choose which of their Grim is inflicting the Status, effectively determining which comes first in time.

When do I place a new Grim after a Knockout?

Between Turns. The current Turn must fully resolve (or be forced to resolve in the Paralysis Phase) before placing a new Grim.

What does "on a Knockout" mean in a Synergy Effect?

This means that the Synergy Effect has an additional condition of you securing a Knockout with the Attack for the effect to proc.

What happens if I Swap when my Grim has a Spirit Bonus triggered?

The basic rule is that Spirit Bonuses are not shared between Grim. This means a Swap will result in the loss of that Spirit Bonus. The only nuance to this is that the Light Spirit Bonus may be newly re-chosen when Swapping if the Light Element is still active, as the Spirits are still present sufficient to support a Spirit Bonus.

What happens if I don't have a Grim to play?

This is exceptionally rare due to the Banished system, and only happens when you draw a Banished and then use it as a Reaction before the end of a Grim's Turn. If this ever happens, topdeck either of your Grim decks for a new Grim to place.

What happens when Grim on both sides take simultaneous damage?

This is very rate, but consider a case where one Grim's Passive damage all other Grim instantly. In this case, the damage will hit the Opponent of that Grim first.