3. Divide the Cards: Separate the cards into three decks according to card
back: Flood deck (blue back), Treasure deck (red back), and Adventurer cards (6 cards).
4. The Island Starts to Sink: Shuffle the Flood deck and place it face
down on one side of the island to form the Flood draw pile. Draw the top 6 cards (1 at a time)
and place them face up next to the draw pile to form the Flood discard pile. For each card
drawn, flip the corresponding Island tile over to its “flooded” (blue and white) side.
5. The Adventurers Appear:
Shuffle the 6 Adventurer cards and randomly deal 1 to each
player. Each of you will take on the role of an adventurer with
a special power that only you can do during the game. Take a
moment to read aloud your roles and powers written on the
bottom of the cards so that your teammates know your strengths.
You’ll find the game will be easier to win if you cooperate and
take advantage of these special powers.
Take a pawn matching the color of your Adventurer card and place it on the
corresponding Island tile. (Look for the matching pawn icon in the lower right
corner of the Gates and Fools’ Landing tiles.) Put any extra Adventurer cards and
pawns back in the box. Note: It’s OK to start on a flooded tile.
6. Hand Out Treasure Deck Cards:
Thoroughly shuffle the Treasure deck and deal 2 cards to each
player. Place your cards face up in front of you so that both
you and your teammates can easily see them. If anyone gets
a Waters Rise! card, give them a replacement card and shuffle
the Waters Rise! card back into the Treasure deck. Place the
Treasure deck face down by one side of the island. Note: There
will be a Treasure discard pile right next to the Treasure deck.
7. Set the Water Level: Place the Water Level marker
on the left side of the Water Meter and set it to the appropriate starting
difficulty level, according to the type of game you want to play. (For example,
if this is your first time playing a cooperative game, set it to the Novice level.)
normal tile flooded tile
Flood Deck Treasure Deck Adventurer Cards
3
flood card