Death Over The Kingdom

About this board game

Death Over The Kingdom is a card game for 3–16 players, with an approximate play time of 45 minutes. It offers two game formats: one for groups of 3 to 7 players and another for groups of 3 to 16, with 8 players recommended as a starting point for the larger format.

In the 3-to-7-player rules, the game lasts for as many turns as there are players. Every turn contains three rounds, and each round changes how victory is determined: the highest card wins in Round 1, the lowest card wins in Round 2, and the intermediate cards win in Round 3.

• Round 1: the highest card wins.
• Round 2: the lowest card wins.
• Round 3: intermediate cards win.

More than one player can win a round when cards match the relevant score or victory condition. During each round, players secretly choose a card and place it face down. In turn order, they may exchange it with the player on their left, fold and keep it, use a card ability when possible, or change it with a card from their hand.

The Dealer has no player on their left, but may announce an exchange with the deck and reveal a new card without looking. After all cards are played, abilities that activate at the end of the round take effect. These include abilities belonging to the Innkeeper, Jester, Monk, Sorceress, Knight, Princess, and Queen; other named roles include the Merchant, Thief, Juggler, and Dragon.

Round winners score points using score markers. After three rounds, the deck is reshuffled and a new turn begins, while the starting player becomes Dealer so every player serves as Dealer once. When the final Dealer’s turn ends, the second player with the most victory points wins Death Over The Kingdom. If all players tie for both the highest and lowest totals, nobody wins and the game must be played again.