Back

How to Play

Bombastic

2-2 players 5-5 min 7.0 Board Game Geek Rating

Two players compete to reveal three tiles matching their symbol (X or O) in a row from a face-down 3×3 grid containing four X tiles, four O tiles, and one bomb. Players either attempt to uncover three in a row or use action cards to peek and rearrange tiles. Revealing your three tiles wins; exposing the bomb loses instantly.

Published 2025

Bombastic

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Arrange the tiles
Shuffle the 9 tiles face down into a 3×3 grid
2
Prepare the action cards
Shuffle the action cards and reveal 2 next to the grid, placing the remaining cards in a face-down deck nearby
3
Choose symbols
The youngest player decides if they want to play as Xs or Os; their opponent plays as the other
4
Set up reminder
Arrange the open case between players with their respective symbol (X or O) closer to them

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Take alternating turns
Players take turns 1 at a time, starting with the youngest player
2
Choose one action
On your turn, either Go for It or Use an Action Card
3
Reveal a row
Show 3 tiles in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)
4
Check results
If all 3 are yours, you win; if 1 is the bomb, you lose; otherwise, flip all tiles face down and your turn ends
5
Select a card
Choose 1 of the 2 revealed action cards and perform its effects from top to bottom
6
Complete all effects
You must perform all effects on your chosen card unless preceded by "may"
7
Replace the card
Place the used card face down under the deck and reveal the top card (always maintaining 2 revealed cards)
8
Peek
Secretly look at a tile, then return it to its original position
9
Swap
Exchange the positions of 2 tiles, keeping them face down
10
Show
Reveal a tile to both players, then flip it back over at the end of the effect

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Win by matching three
Successfully Go for It with 3 of your tiles (all Xs or all Os) in a row
2
Win via ALARM card
Some action cards provide alternate win conditions (e.g., showing 3 in an L shape that are all yours)
3
Lose by bomb
Revealing the bomb when you Go for It causes you to lose
4
Lose via risky cards
Certain action cards can cause you to lose (e.g., peeking at the bomb on "Peek at as many as you want" or failing the L-shape ALARM card)
5
Immediate end
The game ends as soon as a player wins or loses

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

How to Play Bombastic

How to Play Bombastic

Instructional

Bombastic Review: Smooth Just Like a Silk

Bombastic Review: Smooth Just Like a Silk

Review

MORE VIDEOS

FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

PDF RULEBOOK

Play Board Games Online

Explore breakout hits and fan favourites with no downloads, setup or paywalls. Just click and play.

Play Now

more GAMES LIKE THIS

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

Clank!: Catacombs

Clank!: Catacombs

Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure

Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure

Earth Reborn

Earth Reborn