Introduction
UNO Attack is a popular card game based on the classic UNO. It adds an exciting twist by incorporating an electronic card launcher that shoots cards out randomly during gameplay. It was first introduced in 1998 and has seen multiple changes over the years.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play this game, from the basic rules to scoring and card meanings.
What is Needed
To play a game of UNO Attack, you’ll need:
- 2-10 players
- A deck of UNO Attack cards (112 cards total)
- Electronic card launcher (the newer version shoots cards faster)
- 3 C batteries for the launcher
- A score sheet
The deck contains number cards 0-9 in 4 colors (blue, green, red, yellow), special cards like Skip, Reverse, Wild, and unique “action” cards like Hit 2 and Discard All.
The electronic card launcher randomly shoots 0-12 cards out when the button is pressed.
The Goal
Similar to classic UNO, the goal is to get rid of all your cards first. When one player gets rid of their cards, the round ends. Players add up the points from the cards left in other players’ hands – first to 500 points wins!
How to Deal and Set Up
To set up a game of UNO Attack:
- Each player draws a card, the highest card deals first
- Shuffle the deck and deal 7 cards to each player
- Place the remaining cards face down in the card launcher
- Draw one card from the launcher to begin a discard pile
- Turn the launcher on and rotate it to face the first player
Gameplay
The first player attempts to match the card in the discard pile by number, color, or symbol. If they have no matches, they press the launcher button to draw cards.
The gameplay continues clockwise. Each player tries to match the discard pile or must hit the launcher to draw cards. Special cards can be played anytime.
When a player is down to one card, they must yell “UNO” before playing their next-to-last card or draw 2 penalty cards if caught not saying it.
The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round. The game continues until one player reaches 500 total points.
UNO Attack Card Meanings
Below you can find the the special card meanings of UNO Attack in order:
Reverse
The Reverse card reverses the direction of play. This can strategically help or hurt a player.
If a Reverse card is the first card turned up, the dealer plays first, then play goes to the right instead of the left.
Skip
When a player puts down a Skip card, the next player in the sequence has to skip their entire turn. They cannot play any cards during that turn.
If a Skip card is the starter card, the dealer’s turn is skipped. The player to the dealer’s left plays first instead.
Wild
The Wild card is a key card in UNO Attack. It allows the player to change the color of play to any color of their choice. The player announces the new color when they put down the Wild card.
Importantly, a Wild card can be played on any other card. A player can use it even if they have a playable card of the same color or number in their hand.
If a Wild card starts the gameplay, the dealer’s left neighbor chooses the starting color.
Discard All
The Discard All card allows a player to discard their entire hand of a specific color at one time. For example, a player can put down a blue Discard All card and discard every blue card they have.
If Discard All is the starter, the dealer’s left plays a card of that color first (or another Discard All if they have no cards of that color).
Hit 2
When a player uses a Hit 2 card, the next player in turn must press the card launcher button twice and take whatever cards come out. Their turn is then skipped.
If Hit 2 starts the game, the dealer’s left neighbor presses the button twice before regular play begins.
Wild Hit 4
The Wild Hit 4 card allows the player to call out any color to continue play. Additionally, the next player must press the card launcher button 4 times and take any cards ejected. It is a very useful card.
Wild Attack-Attack
This card allows the player to choose any opponent to “attack” by hitting the launcher button twice towards them. The attacked player must take those cards. The attacker also names a new color.
Wild Customizable Card
The Wild Customizable Card allows players to write any house rule of their choice using an erasable pencil.
- Before starting, decide how many customizable cards to include.
- This wild card can be played anytime to change color.
- Players can create new customized rules each time they play by simply erasing and rewriting the card.
The written rules provide unpredictable fun!
Old Cards from Previous Version
Trade Hands
Trade Hands forces a player to swap their entire hand with another player of their choosing. This is useful to trade lots of cards for fewer cards in hopes of going out first.
Wild All Hit
When this is played, the player says a new color, then every player including the dealer must hit the launcher button once and take those cards.
Hit-Fire
This forces the next player in turn to repeatedly press the launcher until cards are ejected. That unlucky player takes those cards and loses their turn.
Scoring Tables
| Card Type | Points |
|---|---|
| Numbers 0-9 | Face Value |
| Reverse | 20 |
| Skip | 20 |
| Hit 2 | 20 |
| Wild Hit 4 | 40 |
| Discard All | 30 |
| Trade Hands | 30 |
| Wild | 50 |
| Wild Attack-Attack | 50 |
| Wild Customizable | 50 |
Old Deck
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Trade Hands | |
| Wild All Hit | 50 |
| Wild Hit-Fire | 50 |
When a player goes out, add up all points from cards left in opponents’ hands. First to 500 wins.
UNO Attack Rules Summary
In short, the game rules are as follows:
- Each player starts with 7 cards, and the leftover cards go into the launcher.
- On your turn, you try to match the number, color, or symbol of the top discard pile card.
- If you have no matches, press the launcher button to draw new cards.
- You must collect any cards the launcher ejects and add them to your hand.
- When down to 1 card, remember to yell “UNO”.
- Special cards like Wild and Skip can be played at any time during your turn.
- When a player goes out, opponents count up points from their leftover cards.
Rules for Two Players
With only 2 players, UNO Attack’s gameplay changes slightly:
- The Reverse card acts like a Skip card since there are no other players to reverse order with. When you play a Reverse card, you get to immediately take another turn.
- Similarly, if you play a Skip card, you immediately take another turn since you are only skipping one other opponent.
- When you play a Hit 2 card, your opponent presses the launcher button twice, takes those cards, and then play returns to you rather than moving to another player.
- You may need to reload cards into the launcher more frequently with fewer players drawing cards.
- Rounds tend to go faster.
