A FIELD GUIDE FOR ASPIRING RULERS
Your first city starts here.
A little strategy. A little bluffing. A very good reason to distrust your friends. Here’s everything you need to take your seat.
Build a city worthy of the crown.
Grow your city with district cards, use secret character powers to get ahead, and earn the most points. When someone builds their eighth district, finish the round and score every city. In a shorter game, the finish line is seven.
Choose an identity.
Each round, the crown holder chooses first. Select a secret character, then pass the remaining choices around the table. Every character has a different power. A new round means a fresh identity.
Make your move.
Characters take their turns in rank order, from Assassin to Warlord. Gather two gold, or draw two cards and keep one. Use your power and pay gold to build one district from your hand.
Leave a legacy.
Your districts are worth their gold costs in points. Build all five colors for a bonus, and finish your city first for another. The biggest city doesn’t always win — make your gold count.
Every point counts.
Tied scores are settled by the total gold value of built districts, then by gold remaining. If those also tie, the victory is shared. We do all the counting for you.
The finer details.
What do I start with?
Four district cards, two gold, and a lot of ambition. The host takes the first crown at this online table. The King can claim it in later rounds.
Can I build two of the same district?
No. Every district in your city must have a different name. The Architect can build three districts in one turn; other characters can build one.
How do smaller tables work?
With two or three players, you each choose two characters and take a separate turn for each. Your hand, city, and gold are shared between both turns. At two players, the middle two picks also set one character aside. The game guides you through every step.
Which characters sit out?
One character is set aside secretly each round. With four players, two additional characters sit out face up; with five, one sits out face up. The King is never removed face up. At seven players, the last player may also choose the secretly removed character.
When can I use a character power?
Use your optional power once during your turn, before or after gathering and building. Income is collected once, so collecting after building a matching district can earn more gold. The King’s crown, Merchant’s bonus, and Architect’s extra cards are handled automatically.
Who is protected from the Warlord?
Completed cities, the Keep district, and the Bishop’s city cannot be destroyed. An assassinated Bishop loses that protection. The Great Wall adds one gold to the cost of destroying other districts.
What happens to an assassinated King?
Their turn is skipped, but they receive the crown at the end of the round. Their identity stays hidden until then.
What if someone disconnects?
Return to the same link in the same browser to resume your seat. The table waits for everyone. If someone has left for good, the host can put their seat on autopilot in table settings so the rest of you can finish.