This is a card game for 1-5 players, in which you play as an omega trying to match with your dream alpha, strategizing against other players and trying to avoid an undesirable match. Despite the Omegaverse trope originating in erotic Supernatural fanfiction, the game is PG-rated, in the style inspired by romantic Boys' Love anime.

The Alpha/Beta/Omega setting, also known as Omegaverse, is one where people have additional sex/gender characteristics apart from their human dimorphic sexual characteristics that determine whether they can impregnate others or become pregnant. Alphas in rut find omegas in heat particularly attractive, while people with beta characteristics neither have nor inspire these strong instincts. You can read more about the trope on the Fanlore wiki here.

The free, printable PDF consists of 45 cards (15 character cards + 30 chance or item cards), 5 plot cards, 3 rules cheat sheet cards, and 5 tokens. The game was conceived and created by Ithit in 2024, and the art was created in collaboration between Ilthit and Misfitmonarchy.

How It Works

You play as an omega. The game ends when all players have been marked by an alpha, or all alphas are removed from the table. You win by getting marked by the alpha that is the most compatible with your omega, or by escaping being marked entirely (other win conditions below). With multiple players, it is possible to have multiple winners, or other shared rankings; ties may also be broken according to who matched first.

Character cards:

5 Alphas - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black and Mr Compatible
Mr Compatible is compatible with all alphas except one (see below). The players can also choose to play Mr Compatible as Mr Incompatible, for a more difficult game.

5 Omegas - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black and Not Like the Other Omegas
Not Like the Other Omegas can match perfectly with any alpha other than Mr Compatible. The players can agree not to have this one in the game for a more equal game. (Solo play: Not Like the Other Omegas can ONLY match with Mr Compatible.)

5 Betas
Betas do not match with anyone and cannot be played, but still count as characters for the purposes of any instructions on cards.

The rest of the deck are Chance and Item cards, 15 each, which are shuffled into a single deck. These provide players with opportunities and setbacks.

The color-coded alphas and omegas have specific compatibilities, which are shown on the cards in color code. For example:

Omega Yellow
Most compatible: Alpha Yellow
Second most compatible: Alpha Black
Third most compatible: Alpha Cyan
Incompatible: Alpha Magenta

At the start of play, players pick their omegas and the other omega cards are set aside. Then, shuffle the five alpha cards in with the five beta cards and lay them out face down on the table. These are the ten starting positions. During the game, you progress through these positions as if they were squares in a board game.

The game begins with all omegas in the first position. You can use their card (face-up) or a token to represent them, and place them on or below the card in that position.

Then, play the first turn. A turn involves three stages:

1. Card pick: Players pick one card from the deck. Read the card. Some must be played as soon as they are picked. You don't have to show your cards to the other players, but you can.
2. Trading: Players can trade any remaining chance or item cards with one another. This is a free-for-all: you can trade two cards for one, then trade the other to another player, resolving between yourself who gets what, but no cards can be discarded without being used, and no new cards can be picked from the deck at this stage. Players do not have to be in the same position to trade with one another. When no-one wants to trade anymore, move on to the last step. (Solo play: You can discard up to two cards in your hand at this stage and replace them from the top of the deck.)
3. Play cards: Play any one card you wish from your hand and resolve the action. Only one card can be played in one turn, unless it is a Reaction (see below). You do not have to play any cards if you don't want to. Establish the order of players and keep the same order through the game; only Reaction cards bypass the order. Played cards are placed in the discard pile. Once the deck runs out, shuffle the discard pile and make that into the new deck. (Solo play: Cards that have no effect in solo play may be discarded; do not pick another card that turn. Optionally, remove them out of the deck before beginning.)

Reaction cards: Some cards will instruct the player to play the card immediately. This means you play it as soon as you pick it up, bypassing player order. There is also the card Scent Enhancer, which can be played as a reaction any time an alpha card is revealed. Reaction cards do not count towards your one turn pick. That means that you can play the usual card in addition to the reaction in the final phase of the turn. However, you don't get to pick another card from the deck just because you pulled a reaction card.

After the first turn is resolved, all omega cards or tokens in play are moved to the second position, and the turn is repeated.

When a player or players reach the final position, the face-down card there is immediately revealed. No new cards will be picked this round and no cards can be traded. Players can now each play a card in the established order. If, after the cards have been played, the card in the final position is an alpha, and an omega is in the position with them, they go into the Alpha Test.

Alpha Test: If the omega does not have a protective condition on them that prevents it, the alpha will mark the omega (even if they are incompatible). Both cards are then removed from the game and set aside, though you may want to keep the couple face-up on the side for scoring at the end of the game. The player's item and chance cards are returned to the deck, and other players continue. If the pair was not wholly compatible, it is still possible for a different player to win the game.

When a couple is removed, the final position is also removed, meaning the game now has one position fewer, and the previously penultimate position is now in the new final position. Some cards can also result in removing positions.

If multiple omegas end up in the final position at the same time with an alpha, and none of them are protected, the one who is most compatible with the alpha will be marked and removed with the alpha. If they are equally compatible (for example, Alpha A and Alpha B with Mr Compatible), flip a coin.

Any omega passing the final position marks the end of the cycle. Any effects (such as Scenting or Heat Suppressant) are reset, and all omegas (even the ones who were not there yet) return to the first position.

When only one omega remains in the game, revert to solo play rules to find out their fate. They can still win by removing all remaining alphas from the table.

If the game somehow ends up with no alphas left but an omega still kicking, congratulations! You have escaped the yoke. This is an alternative win condition.

Optional:
- For easier play, leave all revealed character cards face-up. This way, players don't need to memorize their positions in order to strategize.
- Plots: These can be used to apply more rules and complexity to the game. How well can you match with your dream partner while also running away from aliens? Plots can be found on plot cards included in the print sheet.
- Solo play is always concluded within three cycles. If at the end of the three cycles the omega is not marked but some alphas are still in play, it's a fail.

Scoring:
Win - Marked by a fully compatible alpha, or still standing after all alphas are removed.
Second place - Marked by a partly compatible alpha, ties broken by order of compatibility.
Third place - Marrying a beta or another omega.
Fail - Marked by a fully incompatible alpha; in solo play, also if left unmarked after three cycles if alphas are still in play.

Any questions? Contact Ilthit at Tumblr or Bluesky.

All games here were the work of Ilthit unless otherwise specified.
Credit given to collaborators on each game's info. 2024.