Kings & Peasants

Goblin Den Games · Board game · 2026
— Ludopedia — BGG 3–8 15–30 min
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— rating Ludopedia
— rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Kings & Peasants is a frantic ladder-climbing game that shines through its ability to create custom rules each round. It's the perfect choice for large groups looking for a strategic yet accessible party game. The experience of watching the game evolve with absurd laws ensures constant laughter and high player interaction.

Highlights
  • Rules evolve every round
  • Scales perfectly for large groups
  • Beautiful medieval artwork
  • Easy to learn and teach
Keep in mind
  • Rule stacking can get chaotic
  • Highly dependent on group dynamics
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About the game

What you do in a play session

If you enjoy ladder-climbing games like President or The Great Dalmuti, Kings & Peasants will be your next obsession. The premise is straightforward: get rid of your cards as fast as possible to be crowned King of the table. The real twist here is that the King doesn't just win the round; they also dictate a new rule that everyone must follow in subsequent games. Imagine the game becoming more chaotic and personalized with every round, building a living rulebook that evolves as you play.

The gameplay is fast and easy to pick up. You play cards in singles, pairs, or triples, always trying to beat the previous play. If you pass, you're out until the next round. The last player left with cards becomes the Peasant, who has the thankless task of shuffling and dealing, plus trading their best cards with the King. Supporting up to 8 players, it scales perfectly and generates plenty of laughs, especially when a former King loses their crown and is forced to obey the absurd laws they created themselves.

The deck is beautifully illustrated with medieval art, adding a special charm to what is essentially a fierce and strategic party game. The card swaps between players in different positions keep the game balanced, ensuring no one stays in last place for too long—or at least, giving them a shot at redemption. It's the perfect game to end the night, as it doesn't require hours of explanation, and the constant interaction ensures no one gets bored. If you like watching your friends struggle with crazy rules while fighting for the throne, Kings & Peasants is a solid choice for your collection.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–8 players
3 OK
4 OK
5 OK
6 OK
7 OK
8 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Admin: Upcoming Releases Card Games: Climbing Components: Traditional Playing Cards Country: Italy Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Traditional Card Games: Zheng Shangyou
Publisher Goblin Den Games
Designer Matthew Kirk
Artist Matthew Kirk

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How long does a game take?
Games are quite fast, usually lasting between 15 to 30 minutes.
How many players can join?
The game works great with 3 to 8 players.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all, you can learn the basics in about two minutes!
Does it use a standard deck?
It comes with a custom 52-card illustrated deck, but it follows the logic of a traditional deck.
Do the King's rules stack?
Yes! Rules stack, creating an increasingly chaotic rulebook as the session progresses.
What happens if I'm the last one with cards?
You become the Peasant, responsible for shuffling and trading your best cards with the King.