Kingmaker

About this board game

Kingmaker: The Royal Re-Launch is a political and military board game for 1–6 players, with games lasting around 300 minutes. Set during England’s 15th-century Wars of the Roses, it casts powerful noble families as the forces maneuvering Lancastrian and Yorkist royalty.

Each player controls a Faction made up of one or more Nobles. Across the board, players maneuver Noble pieces representing the leaders of 24 major families in England and Wales. Their goal is to gain control of a Royal piece, eliminate rival Royal pieces, and weaken opposing factions through a combination of military, political, and diplomatic skill.

At the beginning of each turn, an Event card introduces instructions that all players must follow. During the active turn, players may move their Nobles, fight battles, and conduct sieges. Parliament may provide opportunities to gain additional Titles and Offices, and may even allow a new King to be crowned.

• Kingmaker II: A shorter game for 2–5 players with varied victory conditions, including prestige from dominating the government, cities, and church.
• Classic Kingmaker: A 2–6-player game where victory comes from controlling the last crowned Royal piece.
• Extended Classic Kingmaker: Adds Crown and Event cards, plus optional Parliament and battle rules, including dice-based survival for Nobles and Royal pieces.
• Solo Challenge: A solitaire version for solo play.

Nobles can be strengthened with Titles, Offices, Bishops, Mercenaries, Ships, and other cards. At the end of each turn, the Crown deck may add a new Noble to a Faction or increase the power of one already in play. With unforeseen events constantly shaping the struggle, Kingmaker presents a long-form contest for control of the kingdom.