Jester

About this board game

Jester is a strategy board game for 2–4 players, with a play time of about 90 minutes. Each player takes the role of an artist aspiring to become the King’s new Jester.

Across three rounds, players use their city cards and visit four important areas of the board: the city, theater, guilds, and court. Every location offers different ways to improve an artist’s position and move closer to victory.

• City: Hire teachers to improve candidates’ skills across seven different artistic disciplines.
• Theater: Present publications that provide money and fame.
• Guilds: Gain useful privileges for the tournament.
• Court: Use influence to manipulate royalty and earn prestige in the King’s eyes.

Timing is central to each round. When a player visits the same place for the third time, the round ends, prompting the King to grant special favors to all participants. This creates an important balance between pursuing immediate benefits and preparing for the round’s conclusion.

At the end of a round, players must also decide how to use the prestige gained at court. Prestige can be converted into resources and victory points, so careful planning is essential. Choosing when and how to make these conversions can shape the final outcome.

After the third and final round, the player with the most victory points wins and is named the new Jester. With its mix of artistic development, publications, guild privileges, royal influence, and strategic timing, Jester challenges players to build prestige while carefully managing every visit.