The King Is Dead (2015) Board Game

The King Is Dead is a board game that was released in in 2015. It is a medieval, political, and wargame that challenges players to strategically maneuver their way to power in a fictional kingdom. Designed by Benoit Billion and Peter Dennis, this game offers a unique blend of area majority/influence mechanics, campaign/battle card driven gameplay, communication limits, hand management, and map reduction strategies.

Game Components of The King Is Dead

Double-sided playing board

53 cards

54 cubes (representing the Scottish, Welsh, and English factions)

31 counters

Cloth bag

White Negotiation disks

Black Instability disks

Region Cards

Victory Card.

How To Setup The King Is Dead

To set up the game, start by placing the board, which depicts Great Britain divided into eight historically accurate territories. Set out the Follower Cubes: two cubes of each color (red for Welsh, blue for Scottish, and yellow for English) in their respective starting areas. For a two-player game, return two cubes of each color to the box. Otherwise, place the remaining cubes into a bag. Each player receives two random followers from the bag and a set of eight action cards. The Region Cards are shuffled and placed face-up next to the numbered spaces on the board. Each player gets a white Negotiation disk, and the black Instability disks are placed on France. Finally, the victory card is placed nearby.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Players take turns playing a card from their hand or passing. If all players pass in sequence, a power struggle occurs.

Power Struggles: Resolve the lowest-numbered face-up region card by checking which faction has the most cubes in that region. The winning faction places a disk of their color, while tied regions receive a black Instability disk.

Card Actions: Each card action allows players to manipulate followers on the board, such as switching followers between regions or placing new followers.

Follower Summoning: After resolving a card, players summon a follower from any region to their court.

Game End: The game ends either with a Coronation, where the faction controlling the most regions is determined, or with an Invasion, where players must repel a French invasion.

Player Experience

The King Is Dead offers a deeply strategic yet easy-to-learn experience. Players must balance their support for different factions while navigating the potential for French invasion. The game requires forward thinking, card management, and calculated risk-taking. In a team-based game with four players, communication is limited, adding an extra layer of complexity and strategy.

Pros

High Strategic Depth: Despite simple rules, the game offers a lot of depth and complexity.

Quick to Learn: Easy to teach and play, even for new players.

Variable Setup: Each game presents a unique challenge due to random placement of territory cards and faction cubes.

Team-Based Play: Offers a unique team-based mode with limited communication.

Beautiful Presentation: Updated graphic design and gorgeous new artwork in the Second Edition.

Cons

Limited Actions: Players have only eight action cards, which can be restrictive.

No Mordred Variant: The Second Edition replaced the Mordred variant with the Cunning variant, which some players might miss.

Oversized Box: Some players find the box larger than necessary.

Personal Thoughts on The King Is Dead

The King Is Dead is perfect for those who enjoy strategic games with minimal luck involved. It is ideal for players who like to manipulate resources and influence factions to achieve their goals. The game’s short playing time (30-45 minutes) and easy-to-learn rules make it accessible to both veterans and newbies. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking grand battle scenarios or games with a lot of randomness. For fans of political manipulation and area control, The King Is Dead is a must-play.

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.