The King Commands (2010) Board Game

The King Commands is a card game released in 2010 and designed by Magnus Esko. The game is set in a medieval theme where players take on the roles of lords vying for power and influence in the kingdom.

Game Components of The King Commands

Deck of cards including sword cards, shield cards, crown cards, crystal ball cards, Excalibur cards, and gold cards

Relic cards such as the crown, crystal ball, and Excalibur

Summary rule card

Score pile for each player

How To Setup The King Commands

To set up the game, the deck is shuffled, and each player is dealt a card to determine who goes first based on the card’s value (swords are 1, shields are 2, crowns are 3, gold is 5, and everything else is 0). The player with the highest value card goes first. Players then hand back their cards and are dealt six new cards each.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck Management: Players draw two cards at the start of their turn.

Action Cards: Players can play a crystal ball to gain more cards or more information, or a crown to attack or score safely.

Attacking and Defending: Players use combinations of sword cards to attack other players, who can block with shield cards or parry with matching sword cards.

Scoring: Attacks result in the defender giving the attacker a bag of gold if not blocked or parried. Shields and swords used in defense or parry are added to the respective player’s score pile.

Game End: The game ends when the draw pile runs out; each player gets one more turn, and the player with the most points in their score pile wins.

Player Experience

**The King Commands** is praised for its simplicity and quick learning curve, making it an excellent filler game or a light start to a gaming night. The game comes with a comprehensive summary card that outlines most of the rules, facilitating easy setup and gameplay. Players enjoy the strategic use of relic cards and the combination of attack and defense mechanics.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and a helpful summary card.

Quick Games: Lasts about 30 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Use of relic cards adds complexity.

Social Interaction: Players duel each other directly.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May not appeal to players seeking deeply strategic games.

Luck Element: Card draw can significantly influence gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on The King Commands

**The King Commands** is ideal for families, casual gamers, and groups looking for a fun, light-hearted game to fill gaps between more intense gaming sessions. It’s a great introduction to card-based strategy and social interaction in gaming, but may not satisfy players seeking more complex, long-term strategies.

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