Heroes of the Three Kingdoms (2013) Board Game

Heroes of the Three Kingdoms is a card game based on the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which depicts the Chinese historical period of the Three Kingdoms. The game was designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede and published by Korea Boardgames in in 2013. The game’s artwork was done by Seokjun Lee and Yonghan Song, capturing the essence of the Three Kingdoms era.

Game Components of Heroes of the Three Kingdoms

75 unique hero cards

Castle cards

Contract cards with two abilities: Scout and Secure

Player stacks for organizing cards

How To Setup Heroes of the Three Kingdoms

To set up the game, each player is dealt a castle card, with the player holding the starting castle going first. The deck is shuffled, and each player draws three cards of each color, returning any contract cards to the deck. Players then draw five cards to start their hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Set Collection: Players collect sets of cards by color or icon.

Playing Heroes: Players can play as many cards as they wish of the same color or icon, taking one card from each player on either side that matches the played color or icon.

Playing Contracts: Up to five contract cards can be played, using either the Scout or Secure abilities.

Scout: Take the topmost hero from any player.

Secure: Place a contract card on top of one of your stacks, preventing those cards from being scouted.

Scoring: The player with the most heroes of each color scores 3 points, with the second most scoring 1 point. Ties result in reduced or no points.

Game End: The game ends after each player has had a turn going first, with the player having the most points declared the winner.

Player Experience

**Heroes of the Three Kingdoms** is designed for 2-4 players and takes approximately 30 minutes to play. It is suitable for players aged 7 and above. The game is praised for its simplicity and enjoyment, making it accessible to both casual and heavy gamers. The strategic depth comes from managing contracts and smart card play, despite its straightforward mechanics.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players as young as 7.

Quick Games: Rounds are short, making it a good filler game.

Strategic Depth: Contracts add a layer of strategy despite the simple gameplay.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: Contract cards are randomly drawn, which can significantly affect gameplay.

Limited Rounds: The game is typically played in one round, which might be too short for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Heroes of the Three Kingdoms

This game is ideal for those looking for a light, strategic card game that doesn’t require a lot of time commitment. It’s perfect as a filler game or for families and casual gamers who enjoy set collection mechanics. While it may not offer the complexity some gamers crave, it provides a fun and engaging experience with its simple yet effective gameplay.

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.