Kingdomino Duel (2019) Board Game

Kingdomino Duel is a spin-off from the popular board game Kingdomino, designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc. Released in 2019 by Blue Orange (EU), this 2-player game takes the original concept of Kingdomino and transforms it into a dice rolling and drafting game.

Game Components of Kingdomino Duel

Four dice featuring six different coat of arms

Player sheets (kingdom maps)

Pencils

A spellbook sheet for tracking special spells

How To Setup Kingdomino Duel

To set up the game, each player takes a kingdom sheet and a pencil. An additional sheet, the spellbook, is placed in the center of the table with the reverse side up. This setup is straightforward and quick, making the game ready to play in no time.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rolling Dice: The starting player rolls all four dice.

Drafting Dice: The starting player selects one die, the other player selects two dice, and the starting player takes the last remaining die.

Creating Dominoes: Players combine their two dice to form a domino.

Placing Dominoes: Players must place their dominoes on their kingdom sheet, ensuring one symbol connects to the central castle or to a matching coat of arms already in the kingdom.

Scoring: Domains are scored based on the number of coat of arms multiplied by the number of crosses within that domain.

Special Powers: Filling in all squares in the spellbook earns the player a special one-time power.

Game End: The game ends when a player fills all spaces on their kingdom sheet or neither player can place a domino.

Player Experience

**Kingdomino Duel** offers a fun and quick gaming experience, lasting about 20-25 minutes per game. The game is praised for its simplicity and straightforward mechanics, making it easy to learn and play. The dice drafting mechanism adds a layer of strategy, as players must carefully select their dice to maximize their scoring opportunities. The game is highly engaging, with minimal downtime since both players are placing their dominoes simultaneously.

Pros

Portable and Travel-Friendly: The game comes in a small box, making it easy to carry.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but offers enough strategy to keep players engaged.

Quick Gameplay: Games are short, lasting around 20-25 minutes.

No Complex Rules: No cards, complex placement rules, or unclear scoring.

High Replayability: Each game is different due to the unpredictable nature of the dice.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: The game is heavily influenced by the roll of the dice, which can sometimes feel unfair.

Less Forward Planning: Unlike the original Kingdomino, the dice drafting mechanism limits long-term planning.

Personal Thoughts on Kingdomino Duel

**Kingdomino Duel** is an excellent choice for those looking for a light, fun, and strategic two-player game. It is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy roll and write mechanics. While it lacks the complexity and balance of the original Kingdomino, it still captures the essence of the series and provides a delightful gaming experience. If you’re a fan of the original or enjoy roll and write games, **Kingdomino Duel** is a great addition to your gaming collection. However, for those seeking a game with less luck dependency, the original Kingdomino might be a better fit.

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