Lawyer Up

Rock Manor Games, Boom Boom Games, Fox in the Box · Board game · 2021
8.2 Ludopedia 6.8 BGG 1–2 · best 2 Solo 60–75 min Weight 2.7/5
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8.2 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy strategic card duels with a legal twist, Lawyer Up will hook you.

Highlights
  • Engaging asymmetrical play
  • Strategic open drafting
  • Fun argument building
Keep in mind
  • Symbol learning curve
  • Language‑heavy components
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Lawyer Up is an asymmetrical two‑player card duel where each participant takes on the role of a lawyer – one as the prosecution, the other as the defense – battling over a courtroom case. Every match presents a distinct scenario, ranging from murder to racketeering, each with its own flavor‑giving mechanics. The game opens with the Discovery phase: players review all available evidence and, through an open draft, pick the cards they deem crucial for building their case. Players then alternate calling and questioning witnesses, chaining together cards that share the same symbols to generate influence. This pattern‑building creates coherent arguments and earns influence points, which are later spent to sway the jury’s biases toward one side. Area majority, set collection, and tug‑of‑war dynamics keep the contest lively, making each turn a strategic push‑and‑pull. A playtime of 60–75 minutes and straightforward rules make the game easy to pick up, while the depth of strategy satisfies both newcomers and seasoned card‑game fans. The artwork mimics legal‑themed comics, and the primary components are well‑illustrated cards representing evidence, witnesses, and legal maneuvers. Although designed for two players, the asymmetry ensures each round feels fresh, as prosecution and defense have slightly different decks and objectives. Perfect for fans of deck‑building, set collection, and influence‑driven gameplay wrapped in a courtroom drama.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

9 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–2 players
1 OK
2 BEST

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Misc: LongPack Games Misc: Watch It Played How To Videos Players: Two-Player Only Games Theme: Attorneys / Courts
Publisher Rock Manor Games, Boom Boom Games, Fox in the Box, Giant Roc, Giochix.it, Korea Boardgames, Treetato Studio
Designer Mike Gnade, Samuel Bailey
Artist Matt Zeilinger, Sean Simmons, Vincent Christiaens

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

4,533owners
997wishlist
111want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How many players can play?
The game is built for exactly two players, one taking the prosecution role and the other the defense.
What is the typical playing time?
A typical session runs about 60–75 minutes, varying with the case complexity.
How complex is the game?
It has a moderate complexity (weight 2.65/5); rules are easy to learn, but strategic drafting and influence management add depth.
What components are included?
Evidence cards, witness cards, influence symbols, jury tokens, and a small board to track area control.
Who should buy this game?
Perfect for fans of card duels, strategic tug‑of‑war mechanics, and anyone who enjoys a courtroom drama theme.

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