About Clank!
Clank! makes noise (Clank! tokens) every time you do something loud. Too many Clank tokens in the bag = dragon attacks you. Thrilling, push-your-luck deck-building with a brilliant tension mechanic.
Is Clank! Right for You?
Best for
Clank! is a fantastic pick for two to four players who want deck-building with a thumping push-your-luck heartbeat and a real sense of risk. It is great for groups that enjoy trash talk, because the noise you make literally feeds the dragon that may kill everyone. Sessions run around an hour and the tension ramps beautifully as you decide whether to grab one more artifact before sprinting for the exit.
Maybe skip it if…
If you hate player elimination or being knocked out before the game ends, Clank! can sting, since a greedy run can leave you dead in the depths with nothing. Pure euro players who dislike luck and the dragon-bag randomness should look elsewhere.
How to Play Clank!
Setup
Shuffle dungeon cards into a deck. Place dragon marker. Build your starting deck.
On Your Turn
- Play cards for Skill (buy cards), Boots (move), Swords (fight monsters).
- Clank! tokens go in the bag — dragon attacks draw from bag.
How to Win
Escape the dungeon with an artefact. If you die, score only if you made it past the dungeon entrance.
💡 Strategy Tips
Don't get too greedy. The deeper you go for better artefacts, the more risk you accumulate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generating Clank! tokens carelessly; every cube you add to the bag raises the odds the dragon draws and damages you.
- Diving too deep for a high-value artifact without a card-built plan to climb back out in time.
- Forgetting you must reach the surface alive to score; dying below ground scores far less or nothing.
- Ignoring the Skill, Boots, and Swords balance and ending up unable to move, fight, or buy when it matters.
Advanced Strategy
- Manage your noise actively; sometimes taking a lower-value path that adds no Clank! is worth more than a risky grab.
- Build toward movement and combat early so a fast, safe escape is even possible once you have an artifact.
- Watch the dragon-attack triggers and rage track, because the bag gets deadlier as the game progresses.
- Time your descent so you arrive at the deep artifacts when your deck can actually carry you back up.
Variants & House Rules
Clank! In! Space!
A standalone sequel that adds a modular board, a data-cube objective, and an escaping-the-ship structure rather than a fixed dungeon.
Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated
A full legacy campaign where you permanently alter the board and decks across linked games to build an ongoing story.
Map expansions
Add-on boards such as additional double-sided maps introduce new terrain, hazards, and routes for the base game.
Video Guides
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Our Verdict
We love Clank! for turning deck-building into a genuine heist where greed is constantly at war with survival. The dragon bag creates unforgettable tension, and while the luck can bite, we happily recommend it as one of the most exciting gateway-plus deck-builders around.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a game of Clank!?
Usually sixty to ninety minutes, though it can end abruptly once players start escaping or the dragon turns lethal.
Is Clank! In! Space! a sequel or an expansion?
It is a fully standalone game with its own board and rules; you do not need the original Clank! to play it.
Can you die in Clank!?
Yes, if your health runs out while you are still underground you are knocked out and score little, so escaping alive is essential.
Is Clank! good for two players?
It works well at two, with less competition for the dragon's attention; many groups feel three to four adds the most chaotic fun.