King Arthur: The Card Game (2005) Board Game

King Arthur: The Card Game is a fantasy card game designed by Reiner Knizia and published by Ravensburger in in 2005. The game is based on the legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, where players take on the roles of knights striving to gain honor and earn the favor of the king.

Game Components of King Arthur: The Card Game

110 cards: Sized 59 x 92mm, including knight cards, adversary cards, and adventure cards.

13 Adventure cards: Placed face up at the start of the game.

Knight cards: In three colors (red, beige, orange) and two denominations (one knight or two knights), along with Merlin cards that act as wild cards.

Adversary cards: With numbers indicating the number of matching knight cards needed to defeat them.

How To Setup King Arthur: The Card Game

To set up the game, lay out the 13 adventure cards face up at the top edge of the table. Shuffle the adversary cards and draw them one by one, arranging them in columns of matching colors until a column has four cards of the same color. Shuffle the knight cards and deal four to each player. The rest of the knight cards form a draw deck. Place the adversary deck under the adventure cards and the knight deck on the other side.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players manage their knight cards to defeat adversaries.

Set Collection: Collecting adversary cards to complete adventures.

Objective: Defeat adversaries using knight cards, then use those adversaries to complete adventures. The player with the most points from completed adventures and defeated adversaries wins the game.

Player Experience

**King Arthur: The Card Game** offers a light, casual gaming experience with smooth gameplay. Players take turns drawing adversary cards, challenging adversaries, completing adventures, and drawing knight cards. The game’s simplicity and short playing time make it accessible to a wide range of players. The use of Merlin cards as wild cards adds a layer of strategy, while the overall aesthetic of the game, with its Camelot-themed artwork, enhances the player experience.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple and smooth gameplay mechanics.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last 20 to 30 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Use of Merlin cards and strategy in defeating adversaries.

Accessible: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Beautiful Artwork: Themed artwork that enhances the game’s atmosphere.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May be too simple for some experienced gamers.

User Rating: Has a lower user rating compared to its overall rank on Board Game Geek.

Repetitive Gameplay: Some players might find the gameplay repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on King Arthur: The Card Game

**King Arthur: The Card Game** is ideal for families, casual gamers, and those looking for a quick, light-hearted game session. It is particularly suited for younger players due to its simple rules and thematic appeal. For experienced gamers, it might serve as a filler game or a way to introduce new players to card game mechanics. While it may not offer the complexity some gamers crave, its charm and ease of play make it a delightful addition to any game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.