Herrlof

About this board game

Herrlof is a Viking-age trick-taking game for 2–3 players, with plays lasting around 45 minutes. Set in Scandinavia from roughly 800 to 1050 AD, it casts players as powerful magnates competing to become the next Viking king.

The title of king is not inherited in this world: it must be fought for. In Herrlof, victory and praise come from winning tricks and earning valuable bonuses. The first player to reach 50 points or more wins, with most games ending before the maximum of 10 rounds.

Each round uses 15 cards and follows a clear sequence. Players deal the cards, set the trump, secretly predict their score, battle for tricks, then reveal their predictions to determine the final score. Because predictions remain hidden, neither player knows exactly what the other is trying to achieve.

• Secret predictions make every round a contest of judgment and risk.
• Trick-taking battles turn each card play into a fight for points and bonuses.
• Special Vikings introduce abilities that can influence the outcome of tricks.
• Additional cards can destroy tricks entirely or add further uncertainty.

These powers and disruptive effects give the game more than a straightforward race to win cards. Players must adapt their plans as special abilities and unexpected cards reshape the battle.

With its compact rounds, concealed goals, and struggle for recognition as “first among equals,” Herrlof offers a focused contest of prediction and tactical play. Claim enough points, outmaneuver your rival, and earn the praise that comes with becoming king.