King is Dead: Second Edition

King is Dead: Second Edition

The King is Dead is a fascinating game. A game with few components and where arguably the most important decision is whether you should pass now or later. In the basic mode each player will have the same 8 cards to vie for power. These cards are used over the course of 8 potential regions, but it’s not a case of one card per region,

Some rounds you might not play any cards, other rounds you might play multiple cards. Which is where passing comes in. The set up casts the English, Welsh and Scottish against each other to decide who will rule the land after the death of the King.

8 Region cards are dealt randomly to number spots around the board. The next lowest number region will be the site of the next power struggle will be once everyone passes. You will not be taking control of one of the three nations, but rather trying to put in with the nation that ends up ruling.

Each power struggle will be resolved by the most cubes of a nation in that region. If there is a tie the region becomes unstable instead. Players will take turns passing or playing one of their 8 action cards, but once played you won’t get it back! You have 8 actions to play the whole game!

The game can end in two ways - if three regions become unstable then the French invade. In that case the player with the most sets of cubes in front of them (yellow, blue and red) wins. If all 8 power struggles are resolved then the nation with the most controlled regions is crowned. Then the player with the most cubes of that colour wins the game.

Cards are cleverly balanced between adding cubes and taking them from the board meaning you always have to balance a nation’s power on the board and presence in front of the players. It’s a unique satisfying game and this second edition includes more advanced ways to play!

Player count: 2-4
Time: 30-45 minutes
Age rating: 14+