Middle Kingdom

About this board game

Middle Kingdom is a fast card game for 2–5 players, playable in about 40 minutes, in which rival claimants compete for influence after the collapse of the Han Dynasty.

Each round, players use Bid Cards to claim Dynasty Cards representing warriors, nobles, bureaucrats, peasants, and merchants. Bidding is blind, so you must balance your claims carefully and build influence across the available categories.

Players can also take control of important special cards by having the most cards in a category. These roles provide bonuses that can affect the bidding process and change the value of your plans. Notable powers include:

• Palace: See all bids before placing your own.
• Heir: Claim an unclaimed Dynasty Card.
• Emperor, Market, and Harvest: Additional positions of control within the struggle for influence.

The contest is set against a China divided by warlords backing rival claimants to the throne. Merchants, nobles, farmers, and bureaucrats all represent different paths to power, while the Celestial Dragon can disrupt even the best-laid plans.

The game ends as the Emperor dies. Whoever has gained the most influence ascends the throne, making every bid and every category claim important as the final outcome approaches.

With its combination of blind bidding, competing Dynasty Cards, and disruptive special powers, Middle Kingdom focuses on reading the contest and balancing your claims. Each round brings a fresh decision about where to commit your Bid Cards and which forms of influence to pursue.