Hawken: Real-Time Card Game

About this board game

Hawken: Real-Time Card Game is a two-player card game that plays in about 30 minutes, based on the Hawken video game. Each player takes control of a Mech and races to build an effective combat system while the action unfolds in real time.

Draw cards and place them onto the table as quickly as possible. Your deck includes primary and secondary weapons systems, thrusters, special abilities, and other high-tech instruments of war. Speed matters, but careless card play can cause your Mech to overheat.

Not every card has to be played as equipment. If you do not want to use a card, place it face down to create cover for the round. Cover absorbs some damage from your opponent, giving you another way to use cards while the battle develops.

• Real-time card placement and quick decision-making
• Mech combat with weapons, thrusters, and special abilities
• Face-down cards that provide cover and absorb damage
• A central FIRE! button that ends the round

A round ends when one player grabs the FIRE! button from the center of the table. The Mechs’ speeds are then calculated to determine the engagement range, after which weapons fire and internal heat is generated. Quick reflexes can help you keep pace, but a quick mind is essential for choosing what to play and when to stop.

Hawken: Real-Time Card Game was released in two separate sets: Sharpshooter vs. Bruiser and Scout vs. Grenadier. There was never a release containing everything together, so each set presents its own version of this fast-moving Mech battle.