Stem & Branch 2026

Stem & Branch (Thiên Can Địa Chi) is an approachable & fast playing strategy card game inspired by the animals and elements of the 60-year Eastern zodiac calendar. It was lovingly crafted for families and gamers alike in hopes of creating a rewarding and fun way to enjoy the depth of the Eastern zodiac.

You and the other players will compete or cooperate on a shared tableau to rebuild the calendar from beginning to end. By utilizing the elements and supporting the animals, players gain years throughout the game. Spend your time wisely as the player who contributes the most years will win.

Game Summary

The Stem and Branch cycle is represented in the 60-card deck, with each card symbolizing a year guided by a Spirit Animal and one of the Five Elements. As an Immortal, your sacred task is to nurture the Tree of Time by summoning and ascending the Spirit Animals from the Stream of Time and recording their progress in the Scroll of Time.

The cost to summon a Spirit Animal depends on its rank and Element Type, paid by expending matching Animals and Elements you control. Once summoned, Animals already on the board can share their Element Type, making it easier to summon and ascend more Animals.

In cooperative play, you work together to help all the Spirit Animals complete their journeys before the Stream of Time runs out. In competitive play, you compete for control of the Animals and Elements to devote the most years to the Tree of Time. The game ends when the Stream of Time runs out. You then add the years you gained and the one who has the most years will be the winner.

—description from the publisher