ROSALIND HOBBS

Royalty by Rosalind Hobbs

Spring 2021

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PLAYERS 2-4 players (ages 10 and up)

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RESOURCES 52-card deck, pencil & paper

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OBJECTIVE Maintain the highest point count using defense and attack actions

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SETUP Deal each player five cards, face down. The remaining deck becomes the draw deck. On a piece of paper, give each player a starting point count of 490. This number will be “attacked” by your opponents.

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GAME MECHANICS The goal is to collect sets (2 cards) to attack other’s points and defend your own. Begin the game taking any of the following actions:

 

Action option 1: ask another player for a card. This action is in effort to complete a set of two, you cannot ask for a card you do not already have. If that player does not have your requested card, draw a card. If you complete a set, you may lay it down during the same turn, see below for the powers of different sets.

 

Action option 2: lay down any of the following attack sets (set = 2 cards) ... 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 (of any suit). These sets do damage to your choice of opposing player. Choose the player you want to attack and deduct the following points from their score based on the set you have laid down:

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1. Set of 4: 40 points

2. Set of 5: 50 points

3. Set of 6: 60 points

4. Set of 7: 70 points

5. Set of 8: 80 points

6. Set of 9: 90 points

7. Set of 10: 100 points

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Deduct the amount of points of the attack from the target’s score board. Example: Player 1 attacks player 2 with a 7-set, a 70-point deduction is applied to Player 2. If the target has a defense set laid down, see next option for how this will change your attack. Attack sets are only used once, place them in the discard pile after being played.

In the case that the draw pile runs out, reshuffle the discarded pile.

 

Action option 3: lay down any of the following defense sets (set = 2 cards) ... 2 and 3 (of any suit). These sets protect your kingdom from attacks from other players. Each set will protect you from any future acts, offense sets are combinable.

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1. Set of 2: subtract 10 points to an opponent’s attack against you

2. Set of 3: subtract 15 points to an opponent’s attack against you

3. Ace (set not needed): subtract 5 points to an opponent’s attack against you

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Example: A player attacks your kingdom with a 10 set (100-point deduction), if you already have a defense set laid down, for example a set of 3, take away the appropriate points from their attack. A 10-set attack against a kingdom with a 3-set defense: 85-point deduction to the attacked player.

Defense sets are combinable: 2-set and a 3-set will be a 25-point protection.

Defense sets are also reuseable, once they are laid down, they defend your kingdom for the entire game.

Note: To receive the defense point protection, the set must already be laid down before the attack is made.

 

Action option 4: play a royalty card...each card has a unique power.

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King power: Used against another player’s play...stops an offense attack against your

kingdom, can be played at any time.

Queen power: Used with your own attack play...stops the target’s defenses from

working.

Jack power: Used against another player’s play...stops a player from asking for a card

from your hand. The player who asked for a card must draw a card.

After a royalty card is used, place it in the discard pile.

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Keep track of everyone’s points on a piece of paper. Deduct attacks and include any points returned to the target by their defense sets.

In the case that the draw pile runs out, reshuffle the discarded pile.

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OUTCOME

Continue requesting cards, attacking opponents, and protecting your points until...Last man standing. Each player who reaches zero points is out of the game, continue playing until there is only one player remaining.