How To Play: Royals

In Royals, mastering strategy is key. Focus on optimizing character cards and controlling territories wisely. Knowing when to make power plays by watching opponents and managing your resources is crucial. Spread your influence strategically, anticipate moves, and adapt. Remember, success in Royals comes from planning, card management, and flexibility.
Royals: Box Cover Front

Hello, fellow board game enthusiasts! Ever found yourself pondering the secrets to conquering the noble world of Royals? Well, ponder no more! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the nitty-gritty of the game rules and dish out the top strategies for claiming victory. So, grab your crown, and let’s get started on your journey to royal dominance.

Overview

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 60 Cards
  • 50 Bonus Tokens
  • 120 Influence Cubes (30 of each color)
  • 1 Start Player Marker
  • 5 Score Markers (1 of each color)
  • 4 Reference Cards
  • 40 Noble Tokens
  • 3 Combat Tokens
  • 1 Rulebook

How To Play Royals: Rules Summary

Gather your friends and get ready for a trip back in time where nobility ruled, and the quest for influence was all that mattered. In Royals, players compete to gain the most influence across various European courts. Here’s how you dive into this strategic, area control game:

Setup

  1. Place the game board in the center of the table.
  2. Distribute Influence markers to each player.
  3. Shuffle the Country and Intrigue cards, then deal five to each player.
  4. Place the scoring tokens and Noble tiles next to the board.

Gameplay

  1. On your turn, draw two Country or Intrigue cards.
  2. You may then place Influence in a court by playing the required cards.
  3. Claim a Noble tile if you fulfill the conditions.
  4. Play passes clockwise to the next player.

Winning

  1. The game ends when all Royal tiles have been claimed.
  2. Players then add up their points from Nobles, Courts, and any bonus cards.
  3. The player with the most points is declared the winner.

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. Intrigue cards can replace any one Country card.
  2. If you control all Nobles in one country, you gain the King’s bonus.
  3. A tie for influence in a court is broken by the player with the most recent claim.

Remember, strategy in Royals is about balancing the power among different courts and timing your moves for maximum impact. Happy gaming!

Best Royals Strategies

Mastering Character Cards for Victory

Choose Wisely Early On

Start by picking character cards that align with your initial strategy. This sets the stage for your game plan.

  1. Focus on characters that boost your control in specific areas.
  2. Consider cards that offer long-term benefits over immediate gains.

Adapt to the Game Flow

Keep an eye on opponents’ moves and adjust your choices accordingly.

  1. Swap to defensive characters if others target your territories.
  2. Grab opportunity cards when the game’s pace changes.

Endgame Strategies

As the game nears its end, prioritize characters that maximize your score.

  1. Look for cards that fill gaps in your collections.
  2. Secure characters that give bonuses for completed sets.

Mastering the Map: The Key to Winning Royals

In Royals, controlling the map is crucial. Here’s how you can dominate:

Prioritize Hotspots

  1. Focus on territories that offer the most points for the least effort.
  2. Identify key areas that serve as gateways to multiple regions.

Spread Wisely

  1. Avoid overcommitting to a single area unless it guarantees significant control.
  2. Balance your influence across the map to remain flexible.

Anticipate Opponent Moves

  1. Block your opponents strategically, preventing them from gaining crucial territories.
  2. Stay adaptive, altering your strategy based on others’ moves.

Mastering the Art of Timing in Royals

Identify Key Moments

First, always keep an eye on the game’s pace. Key moments to launch your power plays often come right after a major scoring round or when a rival seems poised to claim a territory you’ve been eying. These are golden opportunities to flip the board in your favor.

Watch Your Opponents

Second, watch your opponents like a hawk. If they start gathering too many cards of one color or eyeing a particular region, beat them to the punch. Launching a well-timed power play can disrupt their strategy and give you a clear advantage.

Resource Management

Lastly, manage your resources wisely. Hold onto your cards until the moment is ripe for a game-changing move. Throwing down a set of cards to claim a key noble or a strategically significant territory at the right time can be a game-winning play.

## Winning the Throne
In conclusion, mastering Royals comes down to a mix of smart planning, clever card management, and a pinch of daring. Keep your eyes on the board, your mind on your opponents, and your strategy flexible. Remember, every noble you influence and every territory you control brings you one step closer to ruling. So, gather your friends, shuffle those cards, and let the battle for the throne begin. Who knows? Next time, it could be you wearing the crown.

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

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.