The White Castle

2023

Immerse in The White Castle board game, strategize your clan's rise to power through resource management and worker placement, set in Japan's legendary Himeji Castle.

80
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Welcome to the immersive world of The White Castle, a fascinating board game that promises an enthralling experience of strategy, diplomacy, and adventure. Set against the backdrop of a majestic medieval castle, this game is bound to captivate your imagination and challenge your strategic skills.

In The White Castle, you are transported to a medieval era where you’re entrusted with the responsibility of a noble tasked with the duty of protecting the castle. Set in a time of chivalry, knights, and mythical creatures, the game offers an engaging narrative that’s deeply entwined with its mechanics.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The White Castle is an engaging board game that offers a unique blend of strategy and entertainment. The game includes several components, each with its unique role in the game. Here’s a detailed explanation of each component:

1. Game Board:

The game board is the primary component of ‘The White Castle’. It represents the castle and its surroundings with various paths, rooms, and secret passages. Players move their characters on this board to reach different locations and perform various actions.

2. Player Tokens:

Each player receives a token that represents their character in the game. Tokens are moved across the game board as players take their turns. The position of a player’s token on the board determines what actions they can perform during their turn.

3. Castle Cards:

These cards represent the different rooms and areas within the White Castle. Players draw these cards to determine their movement or to gain certain advantages depending on the description of the card. It adds unpredictability and a strategic element to the game.

4. Action Cards:

Action cards are used to perform specific actions during a player’s turn. These actions can include moving extra spaces, re-rolling dice, or blocking other players. These cards add an extra layer of strategy and unpredictability to the game.

5. Dice:

The game includes a set of dice that players roll to determine their movement on the game board. The number rolled on the dice is the number of spaces a player’s token can move during their turn.

6. Treasure Tokens:

These tokens represent various treasures that players can collect throughout the game. Collecting treasures can provide players with points or special abilities, making these tokens a crucial component of the game’s strategy.

7. Monster Tokens:

Monster tokens are placed on the game board and represent threats that players must avoid or overcome. Encountering a monster can result in a penalty or a battle, adding an element of risk and excitement to the game.

8. Player Aid Cards:

These cards provide a quick reference for the game’s rules and actions that a player can take during their turn. They’re especially useful for new players who are still learning the game.

In ‘The White Castle’, all these components work together to create a dynamic and engaging gaming experience. The strategic use of cards, tokens, and dice, combined with the layout of the game board, results in a game that is both challenging and fun.

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

The White Castle is a strategic board game that requires careful planning and resource management. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Player Roles

Assign roles to each player. There are four roles available: the King, the Queen, the Bishop, and the Knight. Each role has unique abilities that can influence the game outcome. For example, the King can command troops, the Queen can manage resources, the Bishop can convert enemy units, and the Knight can carry out quests.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the board in the middle of the playing area where all players can reach it. The board represents the kingdom, divided into several regions: the castle (central region), the surrounding villages (outer regions), and the fields (outermost regions).

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player starts with an initial set of resources. This includes 10 gold coins, 5 food resources, and 3 wood resources. These resources are used to build structures, recruit troops, and perform other actions throughout the game.

Step 4: Random Elements

Create a deck of event cards and shuffle it. These cards introduce random elements into the game, such as disasters, invasions, or unexpected windfalls. Put the deck facedown near the board. At the start of each round, draw one card and apply its effects.

Step 5: Starting Player

Determine the starting player randomly. This player takes the first turn, followed by the player to their left and so on, in a clockwise direction.

Step 6: Game Pieces

Distribute the game pieces. Each player gets a set of pieces in their chosen color, including 10 soldiers, 5 knights, 3 towers, and 1 castle. These pieces are used to claim regions, defend against attacks, and earn victory points.

Step 7: Starting Position

Each player places their castle in a different field region. This is the player’s starting position from which they will expand their influence and control over the kingdom.

Once these steps are completed, you’re ready to start playing The White Castle. Enjoy the game!

Game flow Round and round we go

The game of ‘The White Castle’ is a captivating board game that revolves around strategy and resource management. The overall structure of the game can be split into three main phases: the Preparation Phase, the Action Phase, and the Scoring Phase.

The Preparation Phase

This is the initial phase of the game, where players set up their game board and prepare for the upcoming rounds. Actions performed during this phase include:

Board Setup: The main game board is laid out, and the castle tiles are shuffled and placed face down in stacks.
Player Preparation: Each player selects a color and takes the corresponding player pieces. They also receive a set number of resource cards based on the starting player order.

The Action Phase

During the action phase, players take turns performing actions with the aim of building their castles and gaining points. Actions that can be performed during this phase include:

Draw Cards: Players may draw cards from the resource deck. The number of cards drawn depends on the player’s current position on the scoring track.
Place Castle Tiles: Players can place castle tiles on their game board. This requires the player to spend resource cards matching the color and number of the tile they wish to place.
Trade Resources: Players have the option to trade resource cards with other players. The trading rates and conditions are set by the players involved in the trade.
Use Special Abilities: Each player has a set of special abilities that can be used once per round. These abilities can give players advantages such as additional card draws, extra tile placements, or special trading options.

The Scoring Phase

The scoring phase occurs after all players have taken their turns during the action phase. During this phase, players calculate their scores based on the castle tiles they have placed on their game board. Scoring works as follows:

Castle Tiles: Each castle tile is worth a certain number of points. The larger the castle, the more points it is worth.
Resource Cards: Players receive additional points for having sets of resource cards at the end of the game.
Special Abilities: Some special abilities can provide bonus points during the scoring phase.

The player with the highest total score at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the strategic board game ‘The White Castle’, a player’s turn consists of several potential actions. Understanding these actions and their strategic implications is key to mastering the game.

1. Drawing a Card

Your turn begins with drawing a card from the deck. This card could be a character, a tool, a trap, or a castle upgrade. The type of card drawn can largely shape your strategy for the rest of the turn.

2. Placing or Moving Characters

After drawing a card, you can choose to place a character on the board (if you drew a character card) or move one of your existing characters. Positioning is crucial in ‘The White Castle’, as characters can attack opponents, capture points of interest, and defend your own castle.

3. Using Tools or Setting Traps

If you drew a tool or trap card, you have the option to use it. Tools can enhance your characters’ abilities or defenses, while traps can be placed on the board to hinder your opponents. Knowing when and where to use these cards can greatly affect the game’s outcome.

4. Upgrading the Castle

If you drew a castle upgrade card, you can choose to upgrade your castle. Upgrades can provide a variety of benefits, such as increasing your draw limit, improving your defenses, or providing special abilities. However, each castle can only have a limited number of upgrades, so choosing which upgrades to pursue is an important strategic decision.

5. Attacking Opponents

If one of your characters is in range of an opponent’s character or castle, you can choose to attack. Winning an attack can eliminate an opponent’s character or damage their castle, but losing could result in your character being eliminated instead. Thus, choosing when to attack requires careful consideration of your characters’ strengths and the opponents’ potential defenses.

6. Capturing Points of Interest

Finally, if one of your characters is in a point of interest, you can choose to capture it. Captured points of interest provide ongoing benefits, such as additional card draws or bonuses to attacks. However, they can also be recaptured by opponents, so defending them can be just as important as capturing them.

By carefully considering these potential actions and their strategic implications, you can make the most of your turn in ‘The White Castle’ and work towards victory.

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

The game of ‘The White Castle’ comes to an end under two primary circumstances: when a player successfully reaches the central white castle or when the draw deck of cards is depleted and no player can make a further move. At the end of the game, victory conditions are assessed and scores are calculated to determine the winner.

1. Reaching The White Castle:

One of the main goals of the game is for a player to successfully navigate their game piece to the central white castle on the board. A player achieves this goal by strategically using their cards and navigating the various challenges presented on the game board. If a player manages to reach the castle, the game ends immediately. The player who reached the castle scores bonus points as detailed in the game rules.

2. Depletion of Draw Deck:

If no player has managed to reach the white castle, the game ends when the draw deck is exhausted and no player can make a further move. When this happens, the game immediately moves into the final scoring phase.

Victory Conditions:

The winner of ‘The White Castle’ is the player who has amassed the most points by the end of the game. Points are earned from a variety of sources:

Reaching the White Castle: The player who reaches the white castle earns a significant bonus to their points total.
Card Collection: Players earn points for the number and type of cards they have collected throughout the game. Some cards are worth more points than others.
Overcoming Challenges: Points are awarded for overcoming challenges on the game board. The more difficult the challenge, the more points are awarded.
Remaining Resources: Players earn points for any unused resources they have at the end of the game. Each resource type has a different point value.

After all points are tallied, the player with the highest total is declared the winner of ‘The White Castle’. In case of a tie, the player who reached the castle first, or who has the most cards in their hand, is the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

The White Castle is a strategic board game where players accumulate points through various actions. The game’s scoring system is primarily based on castle construction, resource management, and strategic conflicts. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Castle Construction:

Basic Castle: Players earn 3 points for each basic castle built.
Fortified Castle: Building a fortified castle gives 5 points.
White Castle: The construction of the eponymous White Castle is the most rewarding, providing a whopping 10 points.

2. Resource Management:

Gold: At the end of the game, for every 5 pieces of gold a player has, they earn 1 point.
Grain: Each 3 bags of grain in players’ possession award them with 1 point.

3. Strategic Conflicts:

Battles Won: Winning a battle against an opponent yields 2 points.
Enemy Castles Captured: If a player captures an enemy castle, they earn points equivalent to the castle’s value (3 for basic, 5 for fortified, 10 for White Castle).

In case of a tie, the following tie-breaking rules are applied:

The player with the most gold pieces wins.
If still tied, the player with the most grain bags wins.
If the tie persists, the player who has won the most battles wins.
If there’s still no winner, the player who has constructed the most White Castles is declared the winner.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘The White Castle’ is a strategic board game where players attempt to build their own castle while blocking others from doing the same. Though the game is relatively straightforward, there are several special rules, exceptions, and rule clarifications that players should be aware of:

Special Rules:

During gameplay, if a player draws a “King’s Favor” card, they are allowed to take two consecutive turns. However, this card can only be used once per game by each player.
In a scenario where only two players are in the game, the “Double Trouble” rule comes into play. Here, each player controls two different colors of pieces, effectively simulating a four-player game.

Exceptions:

If the draw pile is exhausted, the game does not end immediately. Instead, players continue to play with the cards left in their hand until no one has any playable cards left.
The “Castle Swap” card does not work if a player has not yet built any part of their castle. This card can only be used to swap existing castle pieces.

Rule Clarifications:

The “Jester’s Jest” card allows a player to replicate the effect of any card in the discard pile. However, it cannot replicate the effect of another “Jester’s Jest” card.
When a player uses a “Knight’s Challenge” card, the challenged player must reveal their hand. If they have a “Knight’s Shield” card, they can use it to block the challenge. Otherwise, they must follow the instructions on the “Knight’s Challenge” card.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for ‘The White Castle’

1. Investing in Defense: While the immediate appeal of the game may be to conquer as much territory as quickly as possible, it is equally important, if not more, to invest in a strong defense. This strategy serves you well in the mid and end-game phases when resources start to run thin.

2. Resource Management: Managing your resources efficiently is key. Do not waste resources on unnecessary battles or building structures that aren’t immediately beneficial. Save your resources for the end game when they can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Beginner Tips for ‘The White Castle’

1. Learn the Basics: Before getting into advanced strategies and complex gameplay, make sure you understand the basics of the game. Familiarize yourself with the rules, the pieces, and how turns work.

2. Watch and Learn: Watching others play can be a great way to learn. Try to understand their strategies and what works for them in order to improve your own gameplay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ‘The White Castle’

1. Overexpansion: A common mistake beginners make is overexpansion. While it might seem like a good idea to conquer as much territory as possible, spreading yourself too thin can leave you vulnerable to attacks from multiple fronts.

2. Ignoring Defense: Focusing solely on offense and ignoring defense can lead to quick defeat. Balance is key in ‘The White Castle’.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in ‘The White Castle’

1. Plan Ahead: Always have a plan of action and try to predict your opponent’s moves. This will give you an advantage and help you make better decisions.

2. Use Resources Wisely: Don’t waste your valuable resources. Use them wisely and strategically to gain an edge over your opponents.

3. Practice: The more you play, the better you’ll get. Practice different strategies and learn from your mistakes to continually improve your gameplay.