APEX: Carnivore 2026

APEX: Carnivore is a fast, head-to-head evolution deckbuilder where both players start from the same Miacidae ancestor and branch toward one or more of three carnivore families - Felidae (cats), Ursidae (bears), and Mustelidae (weasels). Each trait you add reshapes how your species hunts, defends, and outmaneuvers its rival.

The goal is to drive your opponent’s population to zero and become the apex carnivore.

Your deck is your species. Each round you draw a hand of traits and activate them. To activate a trait - or to evolve a new one from the shared pool - roll a d20 against its Difficulty Class. Succeed and the effect triggers or the new trait mutates your species deck. There is no currency: your die and engine determine what you can activate and acquire. Active modifiers apply to every check that turn, rewarding timing and sequencing.

After both players have activated their traits, their species fight for survival - compare total Power and Defense; any excess reduces the opponent’s population. Initiative may let you act first, while natural selection keeps decks lean and the game fast. Solo rules and 3–4 player free-for-all (with two copies) are included.

—description from the designer