How To Play: Kingmaker

Overview

So you want to rule England, but you keep getting thumped by your so-called friends? Welcome to my Kingmaker strategy guide. After more table-flipping sessions than I’d like to admit, I’ve cooked up a handy outline of the game rules and the best ways to actually win. If you’re tired of endless civil war (in the game, not your game group), you’re in the right place!

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 1 rulebook
• 1 summary card
• 54 Crown cards
• 96 Event cards
• 30 Noble counters
• 7 Royal counters
• 1 Parliament card
• 6 army markers
• 6 navy markers
• 80 wooden tokens
• 6 player reference cards
• 2 dice

How To Play Kingmaker: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Give each player their starting pieces and cards.
2. Shuffle all decks (Nobles, Events, etc.).
3. Place the King and key nobles in their starting places on the board.
4. Deal event and noble cards to each player as the rules say (usually two nobles, one event).
5. Put money and crowns nearby. This makes you feel rich, if only for a minute.

Gameplay

1. Players take turns in clockwise order.
2. On your turn, move your nobles around the board to gather power or attack rivals.
3. Draw an event card and follow its instructions. Sometimes this is good. Often, it is chaos.
4. Resolve battles by comparing forces (and hoping nobody has a better card up their sleeve).
5. Capture cities, castles, or rivals by outsmarting opponents and, let’s be honest, a little luck.
6. Always keep an eye on the King’s location and safety!

Winning

1. The player who controls the last crowned King when no rivals are left wins the game.
2. If you eliminate all other players’ claims to the throne, do a small victory dance. This is required (by me, not the rulebook).

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Weather events can stop armies or make your plans look silly.
2. Betrayal is allowed! Watch out for “friends” who smile too much.
3. Parliament may pop up, changing who holds power or flipping the game upside down.
4. If the King is captured or killed, instantly crown another one if possible. Nothing stops the throne drama.
5. Remember: How To Play kingmaker isn’t just about rules—it’s about being sneaky, lucky, and convincing your friends not to gang up on you… at least for one round.

Follow these steps and you’ll rule England, or at least your living room, in no time. Good luck, and may your nobles always roll high!

Best Kingmaker Strategies

Mastering Card Management and Timing in Kingmaker

Know Your Card Strengths

1. Always check your hand for cards that can swing a vote or start a battle.
2. Prioritize rare and powerful cards—save them for the right moment.

Play Cards at the Perfect Moment

1. Wait until rivals reveal their intentions before committing major cards.
2. React quickly to changing board situations to catch opponents off guard.

Plan for the Unexpected

Timing is key. I learned this the hard way—last game, I used my best card too soon and paid for it later. Now, I sit tight and pounce only when victory is in sight! If you want to know How To Play kingmaker well, remember it’s not just what cards you have but when you play them!

Mastering Alliances and Betrayal in Kingmaker

Choose Your Allies Carefully

1. Spot players with weak positions. They often seek safety in numbers.

2. Promise help, but never overcommit. Keep your options open. You never know when things could flip.

Build Trust But Stay Wary

1. Show loyalty for a few rounds. This keeps your ally close and their guard down.

2. Share just enough info to prove you’re useful—never your full plan.

Betrayal: Timing is Everything

1. Strike when your ally is exposed. For example, right after a big move or risky attack.

2. Be ready to explain yourself! Everyone loves drama, but nobody likes a silent backstabber.

In my last Kingmaker game, I promised peace, then snatched victory with a well-timed traitor card. My friends now trust me slightly less. How To Play kingmaker? With a big grin and a sharper knife!

Keep the King Breathing: Safety and Movement Tricks

Hide the King, Don’t Parade Him

The king is not a trophy. Keep him far from battle. Every time I let my king near action, he got snatched. So, instead:

1. Move him through quiet, boring areas.
2. Stay away from enemy stacks.
3. Find friends with muscle nearby.

Plan Escape Routes

Things can change fast! Never park the king in a dead end. Always think two moves ahead:

1. Use safe castles as pit stops.
2. Keep roads clear of enemy armies.
3. Prepare allies to distract threats.

Strike When It’s Quiet

If everyone else fights, sneak your king toward safety. I once limped to the throne while everyone bickered. With this in mind:

1. Move when others are distracted.
2. Pretend your king is weak.
3. Surprise rivals with sudden moves.

How To Play kingmaker? Always protect the king, and you might just wear the crown.

Master the Mayhem, Rule the Realm!

Well, there you have it—my friends and I have schemed, betrayed, and occasionally thrown snacks across the table in mock outrage to bring you these juicy Kingmaker tips. Remember, in this game, timing your cards is gold, alliances are as stable as a three-legged chair, and your king is one bad move away from disaster. So, shuffle up, keep one eye on your friends and the other on the board, and may your king actually keep his head for once!

Want to know what we think of Kingmaker? Read our detailed review of Kingmaker here