Love Letter: Premium Edition

2016

Love Letter Premium enhances the original game with larger, thicker cards and wooden hearts. Play with up to 8 players with added cards and enjoy the new magnetic closure box!

30
minutes

2 - 8
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Enter the royal court full of intrigue, romance, and deception with Love Letter: Premium Edition, a game of risk, deduction, and luck. This premium edition of the classic game Love Letter takes you into a world where your goal is to get your love letter into Princess Annette’s hands while deflecting the letters from competing suitors.

The game is set in the kingdom of Tempest, a vibrant realm with a dash of fantasy, filled with noble characters like the Princess, the Countess, and the Prince, who all play their part in the intricate dance of courtly love. This edition is presented in a deluxe box with a magnetic clasp featuring a special red velvet tray for storage.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Love Letter: Premium Edition is a popular game that comes with a variety of components. Each component plays a unique role in how the game is played. Here are the components included in Love Letter: Premium Edition:

1. Game Cards:

There are 32 game cards in Love Letter: Premium Edition. Each card carries a character with a unique ability that can be used when played. The object of the game is to get your love letter into Princess Annette’s hand while deflecting the letters from competing suitors.

2. Card Sleeves:

The game comes with special card sleeves intended to protect the game cards from damage during play. The sleeves are larger and more durable than the standard Love Letter card sleeves, adding longevity to the game pieces.

3. Heart Tokens:

Love Letter: Premium Edition includes a set of 40 heart-shaped tokens. These tokens are awarded to players as they win rounds of the game. The player with the most tokens at the end of the game is declared the winner.

4. Player Reference Cards:

There are 8 player reference cards in the game. These cards provide information about the different character cards and their abilities, providing a handy reference for players during the game.

5. Velvet Bag:

The game includes a deluxe velvet bag for storing all the game components. The bag not only provides a method of storage and transport but also adds a touch of elegance to the game.

6. Illustrated Instruction Booklet:

The game includes a beautifully illustrated instruction booklet, which details the rules and gameplay of Love Letter: Premium Edition. This booklet is essential for new players learning the game and can serve as a reference during gameplay.

7. Tarot-Sized Cards:

In addition to the standard game cards, Love Letter: Premium Edition also includes a set of tarot-sized cards. These larger cards allow for more detailed artwork and make it easier for players to read and handle the cards during gameplay.

8. Wooden Cubes:

The game includes 8 wooden cubes. These cubes are used as markers to keep track of each player’s progress during the game.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Love Letter: Premium Edition is a simple yet strategic game of risk, deduction, and luck. The game setup is quick and easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set it up:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player takes on the role of a suitor, trying to get their love letter to the princess. In game terms, this means each player will be drawing and playing cards, trying to eliminate the other players or have the highest value card at the end of the round.

Step 2: Prepare the Deck

Shuffle the deck of cards. If you are playing with two players, remove three cards from the deck and set them aside, face down. If you are playing with three or four players, remove one card. This card or set of cards should remain hidden from all players for the duration of the round.

Step 3: Draw Cards

Each player draws one card from the deck. This is their starting hand.

Step 4: Setting Up The Board

Love Letter: Premium Edition does not have a game board. Instead, players will be playing cards in front of them and keeping track of their own discard pile. Make sure each player has enough space in front of them to play cards and maintain their discard pile.

Step 5: Initial Resources

The only resources in Love Letter: Premium Edition are the cards themselves. At the start of each player’s turn, they will draw one card from the deck and choose one of their two cards to play, placing it face up in their discard pile and applying its effect.

Step 6: Random Elements

The main randomness in Love Letter: Premium Edition comes from the deck of cards. Since players draw a card at the start of each of their turns, they must adapt their strategy to the card they draw. In addition, the card or cards removed from the deck at the start of the round can add an element of uncertainty.

Now that everything is set up, you’re ready to start playing Love Letter: Premium Edition. Good luck!

Game flow Round and round we go

‘Love Letter: Premium Edition’ is an intriguing game of risk, deduction, and luck that can be played by 2-8 players. The game is divided into several rounds, with each player taking turns until the deck of cards is depleted or there is only one player left in the round. The player with the most tokens of affection at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Beginning of the game:

One player is chosen as the dealer. They shuffle the deck and deal one card to each player.
The remaining cards are placed face-down in the center of the table, forming the draw pile.

During a player’s turn:

A player starts their turn by drawing one card from the draw pile, adding it to their hand.
The player then chooses one of the two cards in their hand to play, placing it face-up in front of them.
The player carries out the action associated with the card they played. Different cards have different effects like allowing the player to look at another player’s hand, comparing hands to knock a player out of the round, or protecting a player from effects until their next turn.
The turn then passes to the next player in clockwise order.

End of a round:

A round ends when the draw pile is empty at the end of a player’s turn or when all players but one have been knocked out.
The player with the highest numbered card in their hand wins the round and receives a token of affection.
If there’s a tie, the player who discarded the highest total value of cards wins the round.
The deck is then reshuffled, and a new round begins with the player to the left of the dealer from the previous round.

End of the game:

The game ends when one player has won a predetermined number of tokens of affection. This number varies based on the number of players (e.g., 7 tokens for a 2-player game, 5 tokens for 3-4 player game, etc.).
If multiple players reach the required number of tokens at the same time, the player with the most tokens is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who won the most recent round is the winner.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The game of ‘Love Letter: Premium Edition’ ends when one of the two following conditions is met:

The deck is emptied while playing a round. In this case, the player who has the highest ranking card in hand is the winner of the round. If there’s a tie, the player who discarded the highest total value of cards is the winner.
A player reaches the required number of tokens of affection to win the game. This number varies depending on the total number of players in the game: 4 tokens for 2 players, 5 tokens for 3 players, and 7 tokens for 4 players.

Before final scoring, several actions need to be taken:

Discarding Cards: Throughout each round, players must discard a card from their hand and apply its effect. This is done until only one player remains in the round or the deck is depleted.
Applying Card Effects: When a card is discarded, its effect must be applied immediately. These effects can influence the outcome of the round, for example, by eliminating other players from the round or forcing them to discard cards.
Winning a Round: A player wins a round either by being the last player remaining or by having the highest ranking card when the deck is depleted. The winner receives a token of affection.
Starting a New Round: After a round is finished, a new round begins with each player drawing a card. This continues until a player has collected the required number of tokens of affection to win the game.

In conclusion, ‘Love Letter: Premium Edition’ is a game of risk, deduction, and luck, where players must strategically discard and draw cards, aiming to be the last player standing or have the highest ranking card at the end of a round. The ultimate goal is to be the first to win a certain number of tokens of affection, signifying the princess’ favor.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Love Letter: Premium Edition is a game of deduction, risk, and luck, where players aim to win tokens of affection. The scoring system is based on successfully delivering your letter of love to the Princess while deflecting the letters from competing suitors. Let’s get into the details:

The game is played in multiple rounds, and the goal of each round is to either be the last player remaining or to have the highest numbered card in hand when the deck runs out.

Scoring in Love Letter works on a round-by-round basis. The player who wins a round receives a token of affection. The first player to collect a certain number of tokens (based on the number of players) wins the game.

For 2 players, the game ends when someone has 7 tokens.
For 3 players, the game ends when someone has 5 tokens.
For 4 players, the game ends when someone has 4 tokens.

In the case of a tie at the end of a round, the following tie-breaker rules are applied:

If multiple players have the same numbered card in their hand at the end of a round, the player who discarded the highest total value of cards wins the round.
If there is still a tie, the player who discarded the highest single card wins the round.
If there is still a tie, all tied players win the round and receive a token of affection.

Remember, the true joy of Love Letter: Premium Edition lies not just in winning, but also in the thrilling gameplay and strategic decision-making!

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Love Letter: Premium Edition is a game of risk, deduction, and luck. It includes some special rules and exceptions that differentiate it from the standard Love Letter game. Here are some of those rare and special rules:

1. Number of Players:

In Love Letter: Premium Edition, the game can be played by 2-8 players, as opposed to the standard 4 players. This allows for a more dynamic game experience and a greater variety of strategies.

2. New Characters:

The Premium Edition introduces new character cards. These include the Assassin (which beats the princess if it’s discarded), the Cardinal (allowing you to mix two players’ hands), and the Countess (who reacts differently to different cards).

3. Tarot-sized Character cards:

The character cards in Love Letter: Premium Edition are tarot-sized, which means they are larger than standard playing cards. This can make the game more visually appealing and easier to play for those with visual impairments.

4. Special Rule Clarifications:

Assassin: If a player discards the Assassin while the Princess is in their hand, they are not immediately out of the round. They only lose if the Princess is discarded.
Countess: The Countess is not affected by the King or Prince. She only reacts to the Knight, Colonel, and General.
Cardinal: If a player chooses two players with the Cardinal, and one of those players has a Handmaid, the Handmaid’s protection does not prevent the Cardinal’s effect.

5. The Sack of Tokens:

In Love Letter: Premium Edition, there are more tokens of affection available. This allows the game to accommodate more players and extends the overall play time.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

The popular card game ‘Love Letter: Premium Edition’ is a game of risk, deduction, and luck. Whether you’re a beginner looking for some tips or an advanced player in search of strategies to optimize your gameplay, here are some helpful insights.

Advanced Strategies:

Card Prediction: By keeping close track of the cards already played and those remaining, you can make educated guesses about what your opponents might hold.
Bluffing: Use Princess or Countess to bluff. Playing as if you have a powerful card can force your opponent to waste their cards.
Strategic Elimination: Try to eliminate players who are ahead of you in the token count. This can level the playing field and increase your chances of winning.

Beginner Tips:

Understanding the Cards: Before you start playing, take some time to understand what each card does. This will help you to make better decisions during the game.
Playing Safe: As a beginner, it’s better to play safe. Don’t risk your high-value cards until you’ve got the hang of the game.
Observation: Pay attention to the cards that other players are discarding. This will give you clues about what cards they might be holding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring the Card Count: A common mistake players make is not keeping track of the card count. Knowing how many of each card is left can greatly increase your chances of winning.
Wasting the Guard: Another mistake is using the Guard card too early in the game. It’s best to use this card when you have a good idea of what card another player is holding.
Not Adapting to Opponents: Each player has their own strategy. Not adapting your game plan to counter your opponents’ strategies can be a downfall.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Practice: Like any game, practice makes perfect. The more you play Love Letter: Premium Edition, the better you’ll get at predicting your opponents’ moves and making strategic decisions.
Flexibility: Being flexible with your strategies will keep your opponents guessing. Don’t stick to one game plan.
Learning from Mistakes: Every game is a learning opportunity. Learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them in future games.