In "Tribal Conquest: A New Dawn," players start by choosing a domain like Goblins or Elves, and then pairing it with a unique tribe, such as Meeky Miners or Blood Fanatics. This combination defines the tribe's powers and their path to advancement. Players then craft their player decks, selecting 5 out of 8 available tribal decks, each filled with a variety of different card types. This results in 3 tiered decks which players can unlock as their tribe progresses.

The game's objective is to earn seven victory points, achieved by controlling your tribe's sites and conquering those of your opponents. Additionally, each tribe has special abilities that are key to victory. For instance, Elves can harness the moon's cycle to empower artifacts and receive blessings, while Goblins can capture prisoners for their mines and unlock new powerful masters through sacrifices.

Each round begins with players drawing cards, gathering resources such as command points and materials, and broadening their domain by adding new sites. Players sequentially execute various actions, including playing cards to acquire new units, obtain potent bonuses, or counteract opponents' moves. A key feature of the card mechanics is the ability to craft powerful combinations using cards and districts. They may also invoke favors from their tribe’s deity and strategically position units across sites for dominance or conquest. The round culminates with players utilizing their tribe’s distinctive abilities and amassing victory points by controlling their domain.

"Tribal Conquest: A New Dawn" merges asymmetrical card play with area control and resource management, forging a rich, strategic experience. It challenges players to adapt to opponents' strategies while balancing defense and advancement of their own tribe. This game tests strategic insight, tactical skill, and adaptability. Will you rise as the supreme ruler, or will your tribe falter under the cunning of your rivals?