Quick answer

Love Formula is a card-drafting game for 2 to 4 players. Each round, you draft cards to build a perfect date for your couple while sabotaging opponents. Victory points come from matching cards to the couple's preferences; catastrophes subtract points. The player with the most victory points wins.

Setup: prepare the couple and the draft piles

Shuffle the date cards and deal a starting hand to each player as the rulebook specifies. Place the remaining cards face down as the draw pile. Select a couple card to be the focus for the round and place it where everyone can see it. The couple's preferences determine which date cards will score points, so read them before drafting begins. A common mistake is to start drafting before everyone understands the couple's likes and dislikes. Checkpoint: confirm all players know the couple's preferred date elements.

Turn order: draft clockwise, one card at a time

The youngest player goes first, then play continues clockwise. On your turn, take one card from your hand and place it face up in front of you, then pass the remaining hand to the player on your left. You may also play a sabotage card instead of a date card if you have one. The round ends when all hands are empty. A common mistake is to pass the hand before choosing a card. Checkpoint: each player should have the same number of cards at the end of the round.

Scoring: match the couple, avoid catastrophes

After the round, compare the date cards you played to the couple's preferences. Each matching card earns victory points. Catastrophe cards subtract points. Some cards may have special scoring conditions; resolve them in the order printed on the card. The player with the most victory points after the agreed number of rounds wins. A common mistake is to forget that catastrophe cards can cancel out a perfect date. Checkpoint: tally points aloud so everyone can verify.

Step-by-step round walkthrough

  1. 1. Reveal the couple: Place the couple card face up. Read their preferred date elements aloud so everyone knows what scores. Checkpoint: all players can name at least two preferences.
  2. 2. Deal starting hands: Shuffle the date deck and deal the number of cards indicated in the rulebook to each player. Common mistake: dealing unequal hands. Count to be sure.
  3. 3. Draft clockwise: On your turn, choose one card from your hand and place it face up in front of you. Then pass the rest of your hand to the left. Checkpoint: you must pass the hand after playing a card.
  4. 4. Play sabotage cards: Instead of a date card, you may play a sabotage card to hinder an opponent's date. Follow the card's text. Common mistake: forgetting you can only play one card per turn.
  5. 5. End the round: The round ends when all hands are empty and all played cards are face up in front of their owners. Checkpoint: no cards left in hand.
  6. 6. Score the round: Compare each player's date cards to the couple's preferences. Award victory points for matches and subtract points for catastrophes. Common mistake: missing that catastrophes can reduce your score below zero.
  7. 7. Prepare the next round: Discard the played cards, reveal a new couple, and deal fresh hands. Repeat until the agreed number of rounds is complete. Checkpoint: track total victory points after each round.

Product facts

  • Love Formula - Deck Builder Game: Love Formula is a card drafting game for 2 to 4 players in which you attempt to create the perfect date for your favorite couples, while sabotaging the efforts of your opponents to do the same. Players earn victory points by preparing a uniquely suited date for their couple, but they can lose points when catastrophe strikes. The player with the most victory points wins. This is the core game this guide explains. Knowing the player count and win condition helps you set up and teach the game correctly.
  • Officially Licensed Persona 3 Reload Standard Card Sleeves - Aigis: Officially Licensed Persona 3 Reload Standard Card Sleeves - Aigis are standard-sized sleeves with a matte finish and foil details, made for smooth shuffling. If you sleeve your Love Formula cards, standard sleeves protect them during repeated drafting and shuffling. The matte finish reduces glare and the foil adds durability.