Each game of Duel of the Elements involves two players. Each player composes a deck of thirteen cards. The game proceeds in tricks, and during a trick each player must play three face down cards from his or her deck. The game ends when one of the players doesn't have enough cards to play three.
Tricks are resolved by revealing each card in order from left to right. Cards are played face down in order. After each player has played a card they will gain information about the interaction between the two cards which can influence their subsequent play decisions.
After a trick ends the player who won the trick will choose a card from those played to eliminate from the game.
